Primavera Sound 2019 Preview

One of the greatest music festivals anywhere in the world is Primavera Sound, which combines the popular and the obscure, nearly every type of music, and all in beautiful Barcelona. Head to Catalonia for a full week of music, Monday-Sunday, May 27th to June 2nd:

MONDAY, MAY 27th

Apolo Venue Deerhunter, 21:15 – 22:45 No one was more prolific in 2008 than Deerhunter’s singer/guitarist Bradford Cox (QRO live review), who not only put out the well-received Microcastle (QRO review), but also included a second disc of all-original bonus material, Weird Era Cont. (QRO review) – and oh, yeah, released a solo record (as Atlas Sound – QRO live review), Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel (QRO review) that beat ‘em both. And, after a hiatus & Atlas Sound’s Logos (QRO review), 2011 saw Deerhunter (QRO photos outdoors) reach even higher thanks to Halcyon Digest (QRO review) – and in 2013 they followed it up with Monomania (QRO review), a more garage-rock record – and show (QRO photos at a festival), including at festivals (QRO photos at a festival). Known for electric shows whether as the Sound (QRO live review) or with Deerhunter (QRO live review outdoors), Cox & Deerhunter (QRO photos outdoors) have been as prolific with the festivals (QRO photos at a festival). They play Primavera Sound for a second year in a row (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ‘16), after playing many times before (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ‘13), coming off of 2016’s Fading Frontier (QRO review) and this year’s Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared? (QRO review). Also: Kelly Kapøwsky, 20:00 – 20:45

TUESDAY, MAY 28th

Apolo Venue Homeshake, 22:00 – 23:00 Previously in the live band of fellow Primavera Sound ’19 performer Mac DeMarco (see below), Peter Sagar has since made his own name as Homeshake.
Cate Le Bon, 20:30 – 21:30 Wales-by-the-way-of-Los Angeles, Cate Le Bon (QRO photos in U.K.) has worked with the likes of Gruff Rhys, Neon Neon, and Manic Street Preachers, but comes to Primavera Sound all on her own.
La [2] de Apolo Meuko! Meuko!, 00:00 – 00:45 L8ching, 23:00 – 23:45 We Will Fail, 21:30 – 22:15 Lonker See, 20:30 – 21:15 Teskno, 19:30 – 20:15

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29th

Parc del Fórum – Primavera Big Red Machine, 22:00 – 23:15 Emerging out of their work on compilation album Dark Was the Night (QRO review), Big Red Machine is a new experimental team-up between Justin Vernon, a.k.a. massive hit Bon Iver but also much more, and Aaron Dessner of The National (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’14).
Also: Cuco, 20:30 – 21:30 Hatchie, 19:10 – 20:00 – QRO photos at a festival Melenas 18:00 – 18:45 Mow, 17:00 – 17:35
Parc del Fórum – Night Pro Meuko! Meuko!, 20:10 – 20:50 L8ching, 19:10 – 19:50 Egosex, 18:00 – 18:40
Day Pro Museless, 20:30 – 21:00 Retirada!, 19:30 – 20:00 Agost, 18:30 – 19:00 Malihini, 16:30 – 17:00 Conttra, 14:30 – 15:00 Lorena Alvarez, 13:30 – 14:00
Apolo Venue Apparat, 03:00 – 05:00 From Germany comes Berlin’s Apparat (QRO live review in continental Europe). Sacha Ring has been bringing his electronics on records like this year’s LP5, and in his return to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’13) does double duty (see below), starting with an early late night DJ set.
Fucked Up, 01:50 – 02:45 While Holy Fuck lost the Polaris Music Prize in 2008, that kind of a name didn’t stop Fucked Up from winning it the following year with Chemistry of Common Life (though it almost derailed the Pool Parties at Williamsburg Waterfront in Brooklyn – QRO photos), and the band followed that up with singles collection Couple Tracks (QRO review) and 2011’s concept rock opus, David Comes to Life. Whether their hardcore music lives up to praise rarely given to hardcore is still up for debate, but what isn’t is how nuts the crowd goes (QRO photos at a festival) for this act out of Toronto (QRO photos outdoors), with singer/frontman Damian Abraham bringing it (QRO live review), shirtless and crazy (QRO photos at a festival). They come back to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’15) after last year’s release of Dose Your Dreams, to play two shows (see below). Also: Coucou Chloe, 00:45 – 01:30
La [2] de Apolo Mina, 03:300 – 05:00 Linn Da Quebrada, 02:30 – 03:20 Clara!, 01:00 – 02:20 Bea Pelea, 00:25 – 01:00 Lolina, 23:300 – 00:15

THURSDAY, MAY 30th

Seat Future, 02:05 – 03:00 2015 was hot one for Hotlanta’s Future (QRO photos at a festival), who has both put out his own third full-length, DS2, as well as joint mixtape with Drake, What a Time to Be Alive. He comes to Primavera Sound behind two full-lengths in 2017, Future and Hndrxx.
Interpol, 12:15 – 00:25 When the Lower East Side music scene broke out at the beginning of this century/millennium, one of the biggest breakouts was neo-New Wave outfit Interpol (QRO live review) with Turn On the Bright Lights and Antics. Unfortunately, 2007 major label debut Our Love To Admire (QRO review) was a serious disappointment, leading to a hiatus (where singer/guitarist Paul Banks did his own solo thing as Julian Plenti – QRO European tour review). But 2010’s return to Matador Records Interpol (QRO review) was a return to form, and so was their live show (QRO photos at a festival), even on the festival circuit (QRO photos at a festival). Of course, the following year saw another hiatus (with Paul Banks going solo again, this time under his own name – QRO album review), but the band returned once more (QRO photos at a festival), with 2015’s El Pintor (QRO review), and last year’s strong Marauder (QRO review) with live show (QRO live review of Marauder release party). They return to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at NOS Primavera Sound ‘15).
Mac DeMarco, 20:30 – 21:45 Some artists toil in obscurity for years, even decades, but Mac DeMarco (QRO photos at a festival) hit success when he was barely old enough to drink (and loves to party, even on stage – QRO photos). His latest, Here Comes the Cowboy, came out earlier this year, and it & a reputation for wild live shows (QRO photos at a festival) back to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at NOS Primavera Sound ‘15), having played every odd year since 2013. Also: The Mani-Las, 18:45 – 19:30
Pull & Bear Erykah Badu, 00:30 – 02:00 No festival is complete without an acclaimed diva or two, and Primavera Sound got a good one in Erykah Badu (QRO photos at a festival on Governors Island). The Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter from Texan (QRO photos in Texas) blazed the neo-soul trail, earning comparisons to the likes of Billie Holiday & Nina Simone. More recently she (QRO photos at a festival in NYC) stirred up controversy with her video for “Window Seat” by stripping down completely – and illegally, in Dealey Plaza (inspired by the video for “Lessons Learned” by Matt & Kim – QRO photos of Matt & Kim with Badu at a festival), and in 2015 putting out well-received mixtape But You Caint Use My Phone (more recently, though, has defended the likes of Bill Cosby & R. Kelly…).
Courtney Barnett, 21:50 – 23:05 Melbourne’s Courtney Barnett (QRO photos at a festival) won fans like Rolling Stone and New York Times after her CMJ 2013 performance (QRO festival recap), with funny, rambling lyrics and a deadpan delivery (QRO photos). Since then she’s just gone and won fans outside of just critics with 2015 debut full-length, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, last year’s team up with fellow Primavera ’19 performer Kurt Vile (see below), Lotta Sea Lice, and last year’s Tell Me How You Really Feel, as well as playing a ton of festivals (QRO photos at recent festival), including Primavera Sound.
Big Thief, 19:35 – 20:25 It takes a lot for a band to name their album Masterpiece – their debut, in fact. But Brooklyn indie-folksters Big Thief (QRO photos outdoors in Brooklyn) pulled it off, and come to Austin City Limits behind 2017’s follow-up, Capacity.
Primavera Charli XCX, 01:55 – 02:45 Charlotte Aitchison, under the moniker Charli XCX (QRO photos at a festival), is one of Britain’s most elusive dark pop songstresses (QRO photos at a festival). Already after opening slots on big-name tours as well as festivals (QRO photos at a festival), not to mention co-writing the breakthrough song for Icona Pop, “I Love It”, she started to solidify her career as a pop songwriter to be reckoned with (QRO photos), with 2013 seeing her release her debut full-length, True Romance, and playing her own headlining gigs (QRO photos). Two years ago she achieved her own breakthrough single, “Break the Rules”, on sophomore full-length Sucker, and now comes to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival).
Guided By Voices, 23:25 – 00:40 Among the influential alternative music acts of the nineties was Dayton, Ohio’s Guided By Voices (QRO photos at a festival). Centered on the ultra-prolific Robert Pollard (QRO album review), GBV drew on nearly every rock sound, as well as being one of the pioneers of today’s lo-fi and neo-garage sounds. In 2010 Pollard revived the retired GBV moniker and reunited with the original, 1993-1996 ‘classic’ line-up for label Matador Records’ 21st anniversary bash in Las Vegas – and kept it going, not just on the road (QRO photos at a festival), but of course with many, many releases – 2012 saw Let’s Go Eat the Factory (QRO review), Class Clown Spots a UFO (QRO review), and The Bears for Lunch (QRO review); the next year ‘only’ English Little League (QRO review), and Motivational Jumpsuit and Cool Planet in 2014, with which he once again broke up the band – only to revive it once again, with a largely new line-up, and yet more records.
Christine & The Queens, 21:10 – 22:15 France’s Héloïse Letissier has wowed the world as Christine & The Queens (QRO photos), with a stage show mixing music, art, dancing, and more (QRO photos). Last year’s Chris was QRO’s Top Album of the Year, and now she comes to Primavera Sound.
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, 19:00 – 20:00 After the worldwide reunion tour of Pavement in 2010 (QRO live review), singer/songwriter Stephen Malkmus returned to his Jicks (QRO live review), including the festival circuit (QRO photos from a festival). S.M. & The Jicks also returned to the studio with 2011’s Mirror Traffic (QRO review), something of a return to his earlier solo work, after 2008’s jammier Real Emotional Trash (QRO review), and though 2014’s Wig Out At Jagbags (QRO review) wasn’t quite the impressive record it could have been, last year’s Sparkle Hard (QRO review) was. The band (QRO live review) naturally favors newer songs (at least now people don’t ask them to play Pavement songs – QRO live review), such as “Independence St.” (QRO video) and great single “Senator” (QRO video), but there’s still room for an oldie like “1% of One” (QRO video). Also: Alice Phoebe Lou, 17:20 – 18:05 – QRO photos at a festival
Ray-Ban Nina Kraviz, 04:00 – 06:00 Irkutsk-born Nina Kraviz (QRO photos) moved up from the likes of fixing cosmonauts’ teeth to making music in the West (thanks to an acceptance by Red Bull Music Academy), and brings some feminism & sexuality to Primavera Sound.
FKA Twigs, 02:50 – 03:50 Tahliah Barnett (QRO photos) has pulled off the rare feat of moving from dancer to musician, as in-demand FKA Twigs (QRO photos at a festival), with a killer live show (QRO live review). She returns to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at NOS Primavera Sound ‘15).
Dirty Projectors, 00:45 – 01:50 What began as a solo project by songwriter David Longstreth has become so much more (QRO photos). His Dirty Projectors (QRO photos at a festival) have not only grown in size (with three female co-vocalists – QRO photos at a festival), but also acclaim, thanks to 2009’s Bitte Orca (QRO review), followed up by Swing Lo Magellan, last year’s self-titled record, and last year’s Lamp Lit Prose. Their arrhythmic stylings married to pitch-perfect harmonies take some getting used to (QRO live review), but many have (QRO photos at a festival), allowing for experiments like Rise Above, Longstreeth’s ‘reimagined’ back-to-front cover, from memory, of Black Flag’s seminal punk record Damaged, and performing their Getty Address top-to-bottom (QRO photos at a festival) to numerous festival appearances (QRO photos), even headlining (QRO photos headlining a festival). They play Primavera Sound twice (see below).
Nas, 22:20 – 23:20 One of the most consistently strong rappers for more years than you realize has been Nas (QRO photos at a festival). His 1994 debut Illmatic has been consistently ranked as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, and follow-up It Was Written made him internationally famous (as did a ten-year feud with Jay-Z). More recently, he and Damien Marley of reggae fame & family collaborated both on record & live (QRO photos together at a festival), donating all the royalties to African charities, and in 2018 Nas put out his eleventh studio album, Nasir.
Danny Brown, 20:05 – 21:05 Detroit rapper Danny Brown (QRO photos at a festival) earned serious critical acclaim in 2011 with XXX, SPIN’s hip-hop album of the year (QRO photos at SPIN party). He’s since gotten even bigger (QRO live review), even as he got older with 2013’s Old, 2016’s Atrocity Exhibition, and this year’s U Know What I’m Sayin’?. He returns to Primavera Sound.
Also: Soccer Mommy, 18:10 – 18:55 – QRO photos at a festival Las Odio, 16:40 – 17:15
Pitchfork Mykki Blanco, 04:05 – 05:55 Rapper/poet/activist/performance artist Michael Quattlebaum Jr. is Mykki Blanco (QRO photos at a festival).
Empress Of, 02:10 – 02:55 Lorely Rodriguez, a.k.a. Empress Of (QRO photos), first got notice with her one-minute YouTube color videos, “Colorminutes”, but has since become a critical darling. She returns to Primavera Sound.
070 Shake, 00:35 – 01:15 From the 070 collective, Danielle Balbuene, a.k.a. 070 Shake, has contributed to albums by the big-name likes of Kanye West and fellow Primavera Sound ’19 performer (see below) Pusha T.
Sigrid, 22:35 – 23:25 Barely old enough to drink in the States, Norway’s Sigrid (QRO photos at a festival) found international success in 2017 with single “Don’t Kill My Vibe”.
Clairo, 20:55 – 21:40 Boston electro-pop artist Claire Cotrill comes to Barcelona as Clairo. Also: Tomberlin, 19:15 – 20:00 Odina, 17:45 – 18:20
Adidas Originals Nitzer Ebb, 03:00 – 04:00 An essential act in both electronica and industrial, Nitzer Ebb (QRO photos) have their own essential legacy.
Myrkur, 01:20 – 02:05 Danish black metal comes to Primavera Sound in the form of Amalie Bruun’s Myrkur.
Carcass, 23:30 – 00:30 There’s metal, and then there’s extreme metal. Liverpool’s Carcass took metal to extremes in the eighties and nineties before breaking up (after a difficult time on a major label). But this new century/millennium has been all about the reunions, including that of Carcass, who put out their first new album in over a decade, Surgical Steel, in 2013.
Stiff Little Fingers, 21:45 – 22:30 Most of the original, ‘Spirit of ‘77’ punks were fighting economic malaise – Stiff Little Fingers came not out of London, but Belfast, at the height of Northern Ireland’s ‘Troubles’. Few acts at Primavera Sound or anywhere else have their kind of punk cred.
Shonen Knife, 20:05 – 20:50 There’s a lot of garage-rock around these days, but why not get it from someone who’s anything but new to the game (like most garage-rockers)? Shonen Knife (QRO spotlight on) have been doing it for almost thirty years now, such as 2016’s Adventure (QRO review) – and they’re three Japanese girls (QRO interview), for all you fetishists out there. Also: Dream Wife, 18:25 – 19:10 Elena Setién, 17:00 – 17:40
Auditori Rockdelux Apparat, 20:55 – 22:00 From Germany comes Berlin’s Apparat (QRO live review in continental Europe). Sacha Ring has been bringing his electronics on records like this year’s LP5, and in his return to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’13) does double duty with an early DJ set (see above), and then a full show in Parc del Forum.
Terry Riley & Gyan Riley, 19:30 – 20:30 Terry Riley’s In C began the marriage of psychedelica and classical that preceded today’s indie-classical by half a century, inspiring everyone from Phillip Glass to The Who. And he comes to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival) with his son, Gyan Riley.
The Necks, 18:10 – 19:10 Of course there’s avant-experimental at Primavera Sound, such as Australia’s The Necks.
Julien Baker, 17:00 – 17:50 Memphis singer-songwriter Julien Baker (QRO photos at a festival) comes back to Primavera Sound behind 2017’s sophomore LP, Turn Out the Lights. Also: Bridget St. John, 16:00 – 16:45
Night Pro P Postman ft. Emergency Tiara, Dark & Mahkenna, DJ Unknown, 23:25 – 00:05 We Will Fail, 22:20 – 23:00 Lonker See, 21:20 – 22:00 Malihini, 20:20 – 21:00 Belau, 19:20 – 20:00 Teskno, 18:20 – 19:00
Your Heineken Stage Severed Heads, 03:00 – 04:00 The Comet Is Coming, 01:20 – 02:05 Pylon Reenactment Society, 23:30 – 00:20 Viva Belgrado play At the Drive In, 21:45 – 22:30 Chandra, 20:05 – 20:50 Aliement play Television Personalities, 18:25 – 19:10
Ray-Ban Studios Brat Star, 04:00 – 05:30 Anastasia Kristensen, 03:00 – 04:00 Djrum, 01:30 – 03:00 Demdike Stare, 00:30 – 01:30 Objekt, 23:00 – 00:30 Upsammy, 22:00 – 23:00
Seat Village Jarvis Cocker, 03:00 – 05:00 Pulp (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ‘11) frontman Jarvis Cocker plays twice at Primavera Sound ’19 (see below), including an early late night DJ set.
Also: IDK, 01:30 – 02:30 Celeste, 00:00 – 00:45 Chynna, 22:15 – 23:00 Erik Urano, 21:00 – 21:45
Lotus Maribou State, 03:55 – 04:55 Yaeji, 02:25 – 03:25 Sophie, 00:50 – 01:50 Princess Nokia, 23:10 – 00:10 – QRO live review Marie Davidson, 21:40 – 22:35 Bakar, 20:15 – 21:10 R.E.A.L., 18:30 – 19:15
Desperados Cube Octo Octa b2b Eria Drew, 02:30 – 05:30 Job Jobse, 01:00 – 02:30 Denis Sulta, 23:30 – 01:00 Jayda G, 22:20 – 23:30 Krystal Klear, 20:30 – 22:00 DâM-FunK, 19:00 – 20:30 – QRO photos at a festival Mafalda, 18:00 – 19:00
Xiringuito Aperol Shakti Alliance (Ivy, Modet, Vir), 15:15 – 18:00 IM, 14:00 – 15:15
El Punto by Adidas Originals Uzielito Mix, 03:30 – 05:00 Japanese, 02:45 – 03:30 Rico Nasty, 02:00 – 02:45 Gangsta Boo, 01:15 – 02:00 Brat Star, 00:00 – 01:15 Goa, 23:15 – 00:00
Day Pro Thumper, 17:40 – 18:10 Kojaque, 16:50 – 17:20 Wyvern Lingo, 16:00 – 16:30 – QRO photos A. Smyth, 15:10 – 15:40 Laoise, 14:20 – 14:50 Birthh, 13:30 – 14:00 5K HD, 12:40 – 13:10 Mayberian Sanskülotts, 11:50 – 12:20
Living Primavera by IKEA Cuco, 13:00 – 14:00

FRIDAY, MAY 31st

Seat Robyn, 01:55 – 03:00 Robyn (Robin Miriam Carlsson – QRO photos at a festival) gained international fame with nineties dance-pop hits like “Show Me Love”, but then retreated to her home base of Sweden. Back-up vocals on Britney Spears’ “Piece of Me”, opening for Madonna in Europe, and being featured on Röyksopp’s Junior (QRO review) all set the stage for her three-part charting Body Talk series in 2010. More recently she had teamed up with others, such as with Röyksopp on 2014’s Do It Again and with La Bagatelle Magique with 2015’s Love Is Free. But last year she hit the big time again (QRO photos at Madison Square Garden) with the acclaimed Honey.
Miley Cyrus, 23:10 – 00:10 So… Miley Cyrus is playing Primavera Sound. The daughter of country star Billy Ray Cyrus, she’s long since eclipsed him, first as Disney Channel star Hannah Montana, then with her much more adult current persona. “We Can’t Stop” this “Wrecking Ball”, who’s done everything from the most famous twerk ever to working with the likes of The Flaming Lips and Mike WiLL Made-It (QRO photos together at a festival).
Carly Rae Jepsen, 20:30 – 21:30 Three words: “Call Me Maybe”. With that song, the third-place finisher of the 2007 season of Canadian Idol (the version where even the Simon Cowell clone is polite) reached massive fame, with what became the best-selling single worldwide in 2012. Carly Rae Jepsen is still a pop star, but one of those alt-Canadian ones – the kind who’d play Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival). Also: Pavvla, 18:45 – 19:30
Pull & Bear Tame Impala, 00:20 – 01:50 From Perth (QRO photos at a home) in Western Australia (QRO photos at a hometown festival), comes the psychedelic rock of Tame Impala (QRO live review), touring off of 2011’s Innerspeaker (QRO review), 2012’s Lonerism, and 2015’s Currents, whose critical acclaim has won them fans across the world (QRO photos at a festival), and spots headlining a ton of 2019 festivals (QRO photos headlining a recent festival). They return to Primavera Sound for a third time.
Janelle Monáe, 21:35 – 23:05 The Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter (QRO photos at a festival) nicely crosses between the urban and alternative genres, from signing to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Bad Boy Record to opening on tour with of Montreal (QRO live review with of Montreal) to much, much more. She has since risen to amazing heights (QRO photos) with 2013’s The Electric Lady and last year’s Dirty Computer, from festivals (QRO photos at a festival) to guest singing on mega-hit single “We Are Young” by fun. to starring as an electric lady in Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams and even becoming a face for CoverGirl (QRO photos at a festival).
Kurt Vile & The Violators, 19:35 – 20:25 Even amongst all the lo-fi guitar-punks out there, Kurt Vile (QRO photos at a festival) has made a name for himself. The former member of The War On Drugs, Kurt Vile has since formed his own ensemble with his Violators, and contributed to/opened for alt-punk guitar god J Mascis (of Dinosaur Jr.) on his solo record, Several Shades of Why (QRO review), and subsequent tour. However, he’s since evolved into a big frontman of his own (QRO live review) with 2013’s Wakin On a Pretty Daze and 2014’s b’lieve I’m goin down…, not to mention 2017’s team-up with fellow Primavera ‘19 performer Courtney Barnett (see above), Lotta Sea Lice, including doing festivals (QRO photos at a festival). He comes back to Primavera Sound behind last year’s Bottle It In.
Primavera JUNGLE, 02:00 – 03:00 Catch the modern-soul London music collective JUNGLE (QRO photos at NOS Primavera Sound ‘15), who bring “mid-tempo 1970s funk” intermixed with “tropical percussion, wildlife noises, falsetto yelps, psychedelic washes and badoinking bass.”
Low, 23:50 – 00:50 The ‘Slowcore’ (a term the band actually despises) outfit Low (QRO live review in Barcelona) have had a slow building since their start in Duluth. They got a larger audience when signing to Sub Pop for 2007’s Drums and Guns (QRO review), but didn’t quite achieve all they could on 2011’s C’mon (QRO review). However, 2013’s The Invisible Way (QRO review) was a return to form, and they return to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’11) behind 2015’s Ones and Sixes (QRO review) and last year’s Double Negative.
Jawbreaker, 21:10 – 22:25 Primavera Sound welcomes one of the biggest and most influential acts of the emo era, New York’s Jawbreaker. In the nineties they went from opening for Nirvana to singer/guitarist Blake Schwarzenbach becoming a cult idol thanks to his personal lyrics. Their too-polished Dear You and internal tensions led to their break up over twenty years ago, but their legacy has endured, and they have recently reunited at big stages (QRO photos at a festival).
BEAK>, 19:30 – 20:20 Portishead’s Geoff Barrow formed side project BEAK> in 2009 (QRO photos at same festival), which also has featured female vocals from Anika. They return to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’16).
Snail Mail, 17:35 – 18:20 Lindsey Jordan has been getting a lot of attention for her indie slowcore work as Snail Mail (QRO photos) – including a feature article in none other than the New York Times!
Ray-Ban Peggy Gou, 04:10 – 06:00 South Korean DJ Peggy Gou comes to Barcelona.
Mura Masa, 03:05 – 04:00 Out of Britain’s Channel Islands comes producer/multi-instrumentalist Alexander Crossan, a.k.a. Mura Masa (QRO photos at a festival).
Kate Tempest, 00:55 – 01:55 Kate Tempest (QRO photos at a festival) has done everything with acclaim, such as poetry, novels, and music. She returns for her second Primavera Sound in three years.
Suede, 22:30 – 23:45 Nineties Britpop had, at its front, Blur, Oasis, Pulp, and Suede, whose 1992 self-titled debut broke record sales speeds, while follow-up Dog Man Star showed them stepping out into their own. More success followed in the nineties, but as the twenty-first century dawned, time seemed to have past the band by, bringing about a hiatus. Yet Suede have returned in force in this decade, most recently with this year’s The Blue Hour.
Also: Derby Motoreta’s Burrito, 20:25 – 21:05 Sons of Kemet XL, 18:25 – 19:25 Lucy Dacus, 16:45 – 17:30 – QRO photos at a festival
Pitchfork Iglooghost, 04:00 – 04:45 Seamus Malliagh, a.k.a. Iglooghost, comes from Shaftesbury to spin in Barcelona. Flohio, 02:10 – 03:05
Yves Tumor, 00:30 – 01:15 Miami experimental electronicist Yves Tumor comes to Primavera Sound behind last year’s Save In the Hands of Love.
Aldous Harding, 22:40 – 23:25 New Zealand’s self-described “gothic folk” singer Aldous Harding comes all the way to Barcelona behind this year’s Designer, playing his second Primavera Sound in three years.
Liz Phair, 21:100 – 21:45 The alt-songstress Liz Phair (QRO photos) came up in the early nineties alternative music boom with her classic Exile In Guyville – and she’s still (QRO photos at a festival) the alt-nineties girl you fell in love with. Also: Just Mustard, 19:20 – 20:05 Putochinomaricón, 17:45 – 18:25
Adidas Originals Bliss Signal, 03:10 – 03:55 Lisabö, 01:20 – 02:05 Amyl & The Sniffers, 23:30 – 00:20 Chai, 21:50 – 22:35 Fucked Up, 20:10 – 20:55 – QRO live review Pond, 18:30 – 19:15 – QRO photos Lidia Damunt, 17:00 – 17:40
Auditori Rockdelux Dirty Projectors, 21:00 – 22:00 What began as a solo project by songwriter David Longstreth has become so much more (QRO photos). His Dirty Projectors (QRO photos at a festival) have not only grown in size (with three female co-vocalists – QRO photos at a festival), but also acclaim, thanks to 2009’s Bitte Orca (QRO review), followed up by Swing Lo Magellan, last year’s self-titled record, and last year’s Lamp Lit Prose. Their arrhythmic stylings married to pitch-perfect harmonies take some getting used to (QRO live review), but many have (QRO photos at a festival), allowing for experiments like Rise Above, Longstreeth’s ‘reimagined’ back-to-front cover, from memory, of Black Flag’s seminal punk record Damaged, and performing their Getty Address top-to-bottom (QRO photos at a festival) to numerous festival appearances (QRO photos), even headlining (QRO photos headlining a festival). They play Primavera Sound twice (see above).
Julia Holter, 19:20 – 20:30 Presenting her latest work, Aviary, an unconventional yet precious mix of tunes and images, Primavera Sound is the ideal place to once again enjoy the dreamy nature of the American songwriter Julia Holter (QRO photos), who plays her third Primavera. Also: Maria Jose Llergo, 17:30 – 18:30 Midori Takada, 16:00 – 17:00
Night Pro 5K HD, 23:00 – 23:40 Bronko Yotte, 22:00 – 22:40 Edsun, 21:00 – 21:40 NFX, 20:00 – 20:40 Birthh, 18:50 – 19:30 Mayberian Sanskülotts, 17:55 – 18:35 Hån, 16:55 – 17:35
Your Heineken Stage Kokoshca play Las Grecas, 03:10 – 03:55 Swervedriver, 01:20 – 02:05 – QRO live review El Mató a un Policía Motorizado feat. Amaia, J y Manu Ferrón, 23:30 – 00:30 107 Faunos, 21:50 – 22:35 Piroshka, 20:10 – 20:55 Birkins feat. Ken Stringfellow play Ziggy Stardust, 18:30 – 19:15
Ray-Ban Studios Batu, 04:00 – 05:30 Roza Terenzi, 02:30 – 04:00 Mad Miran, 01:00 – 02:30 Object Blue, 00:00 – 01:00 Overmono, 23:00 – 00:00 Anthony Naples, 22:00 – 23:00
Seat Village Tim Burgess, 03:00 – 05:00 Tim Burgess (QRO live review) of The Charlatans (QRO live review) does a late night DJ set at Primavera Sound.
Also: AJ Tracey, 01:30 – 02:30 Mucho Muchacho, 22:15 – 23:00 La Tiguerita, 21:00 – 21:45
OCB Paper Sessions Chai, 19:00 – 20:00
Lotus Agoria, 04:50 – 05:45 Objekt, 03:20 – 04:20 Cybotron, 01:40 – 02:50 Ivy Queen, 00:15 – 01:15 Tony Touch & Friends (Don Chezina + Soni WithanEYE), 22:35 – 23:25 Sticky M.A., 21:00 – 21:45 Wednesday Campanella, 20:00 – 20:45 Bflecha, 19:00 – 19:45
Desperados Cube Helena Hauff, 04:00 – 05:00 Joy Orbison, 02:30 – 04:00 Overmono, 01:00 – 02:30 Dr. Rubinstein, 23:30 – 01:00 Courtesy, 22:20 – 23:30 Steffi, 20:30 – 22:00 Laurel Halo (DJ set), 19:00 – 20:30 Ylia, 18:00 – 19:00
Xiringuito Aperol Phosky, 16:45 – 18:00 Xols, 15:15 – 16:45 Isa-Bel, 14:00 – 15:15
El Punto by Adidas Originals Rosa Pistola, 03:45 – 05:00 La Goony Chonga, 03:00 – 03:45 Gothboiclique, 01:45 – 02:45 Mark Luva, 00:45 – 01:45 La Zowi, 00:00 – 00:45 Somadamantina, 23:15 – 00:00
Day Pro Edsun, 17:40 – 18:10 F5, 16:50 – 17:20 Bonish, 16:00 – 16:30 Eli Almic & DJ RC, 15:10 – 15:40 Phoro, 14:20 – 15:50 Belau, 13:30 – 14:00 Sistemas Inestables, 12:40 – 13:10 NFX, 11:50 – 12:20 Bronko Yotte, 11:00 – 11:30
Living Primavera by IKEA Hatchie, 13:00 – 14:00 – QRO photos at a festival

SATURDAY, JUNE 1st

Seat James Blake, 01:25 – 02:45 People seemed to start talking about ‘post-dubstep’ before dubstep was even a thing, in the form of highly hyped Brit James Blake (QRO live review). But the former singer of Mount Kimbie made massive waves with his self-titled debut (QRO review), so see for yourself what all the fuss is/was about (QRO photos at a big venue) as he comes back to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at NOS Primavera Sound ’13).
Solange, 23:00 – 00:00 While originally known as being little sister to Beyoncé (and her fight with her brother-in-law Jay-Z, captured on an elevator camera), Solange Knowles (QRO photos outdoors at a festival) has pipes (QRO photos headlining a festival) and stage presence all her own, as she’s more than proved, like with this year’s When I Get Home, and high-brow acclaim as well. She’s playing her second Primavera Sound in three years.
Kali Uchis, 20:45 – 21:45 Karly Loaiza, a.k.a. Kali Uchis, got notice for working with Snoop Dogg, but has since graduated to her first ever headlining tour in 2017, and now comes to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival). Also: Boy Pablo, 18:45 – 19:30
Pull & Bear J Balvin, 00:05 – 01:20 Rosalía, 21:55 – 22:55 Nathy Peluso, 19:40 – 20:40
Primavera Róisín Murphy, 02:35 – 03:35 Originally one-half of British-Irish trip-hop duo Moloko, Róisín Murphy made her own name a decade ago, before disappearing & reappearing more recently, so catch her when you can.
Primal Scream, 00:15 – 01:25 It’s almost forty years now for Glasgow’s Primal Scream (QRO photos). After Bobby Gillespie left his drumming duties in The Jesus & Mary Chain to take up lead vocals full-time in Primal Scream, the band helped build the British indie-pop scene in the eighties, before breaking through to the mainstream with 1991’s Screamadelica. They come to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival) behind 2016’s Chaosmosis.
Pusha T, 21:55 – 22:55 Pusha T (QRO photos at a festival) began as one-half of Clipse with his brother No Malice, but has since headed out on his own, signing to Kanye’s GOOD Music and releasing his debut My Name Is My Name in 2013. He returns to Primavera Sound behind last year’s Grammy nominated Daytona.
Built To Spill, 19:15 – 20:20 Yes, the ‘biggest indie-rock band outta Boise, Idaho’, Built To Spill (QRO photos at a festival), is still around, still on Warner Bros., and still putting out new music (QRO live review), releasing Untethered Moon in 2015. They’ve gained a second life on the festival circuit (QRO photos at a festival) – and have been moving up the festival food chain (QRO photos headlining a festival). For Primavera Sound, they play their classic Keep It Like a Secret. Also: Ama Lou, 17:30 – 18:15
Ray-Ban DJ Rosario & Sama Yax, 05:00 – 06:00 Modeselektor, 03:40 – 04:50 German electronic duo Modeselektor combines everything from country-ambient to Russian crunk to hard rap.
Stereolab, 01:30 – 02:30 Today’s electronic music booms owes a great deal to Stereolab. They drew from past sounds like krautrock and sixties pop, but reworked it using modern electronics, becoming one of the most influential bands of the nineties. However, their influence was more underground, ‘musicians’ musicians’, going on indefinite hiatus over a decade ago. But now they return, and at a perfect place for it, Primavera Sound.
Jarvis Cocker, 22:55 – 00:10 Pulp (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ‘11) was one of the most essential bands of the nineties Britpop era, and made a star out of frontman Jarvis Cocker. He’s since also fashioned his own solo career, from 2017’s Chilly Gonzales team-up Room 29 to his own BBS Radio show. Cocker does double-duty at Primavera Sound ’19, an early DJ set (see above) and then his own show.
Shellac, 20:25 – 21:25 Famed producer Steve Albini started in eighties punk act Big Black, and keeps his hand in the performing side of the game fronting Shellac, playing pretty much every year of Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ‘11). Also: Daymé Arocena, 18:20 – 19:10 Alondra Bentley, 16:50 – 17:25
Pitchfork Slowthai, 04:10 – 04:55 Danny L Harle, 02:30 – 03:15 Cupcakke, 00:45 – 01:30 Neneh Cherry, 23:00 – 23:50 – QRO photos at a festival Loyle Carner, 21:05 – 21:50 Nilüfer Yanya, 19:25 – 20:10 Retirada!, 17:45 – 18:30
Adidas Originals JPEGMAFIA, 03:20 – 04:05 – QRO photos The Messthetics, 01:35 – 02:25 June of 44, 23:55 – 00:40 Drab Majesty, 22:05 – 22:55 Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, 20:10 – 21:05 Haru Nemuri, 18:35 – 19:20 Cariño, 17:00 – 17:40
Auditori Rockdelux Tim Hecker & Konoyo Ensemble, 21:00 – 22:00 International ambient artist Tim Hecker comes to Barcelona, with the Konoyo Ensemble.
Also: The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices featuring Lisa Gerrard, 19:00 – 20:00 Tirzah, 17:30 – 18:30 Caterina Barbieri, 16:00 – 16:55
Night Pro F5, 00:00 – 00:40 Sistemas Inestables, 23:00 – 23:40 Eli Almic & DJ DC, 22:00 – 22:40 Phoro, 20:30 – 21:10 DTSQ, 19:30 – 20:10 – QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’16 Kirara, 18:30 – 19:10 Bonish, 17:30 – 18:10
Your Heineken Stage Mujeres play Los Saicos, 03:20 – 04:05 Local Barcelona band Mujeres plays Primavera for their umpteenth time – but this time as sixties Peruvian garage-rock group Los Saicos.
]Also: Bush Tetras, 01:40 – 02:25 – QRO photos The Bevis Frond, 23:55 – 00:40 Me & The Bees play The Breeders, 20:15 – 21:00 Evripidis and His Tragedies sing The Magnetic Fields, 18:35 – 19:20
Ray-Ban Studios Martyn, 04:15 – 05:45 Peach, 02:45 – 04:15 Aïsha Devi, 01:45 – 02:45 Forest Drive West, 00:15 – 01:45 DJ Marcelle / Another Nice Mess, 22:45 – 00:15 Suzanne Ciani, 22:00 – 22:45
Seat Village Richard Colburn (DJ set), 03:00 – 05:00 Little Simz, 01:45 – 02:30 BBYMUTHA, 23:55 – 00:45 Kaydy Cain, 22:50 – 23:40 Quay Dash, 21:55 – 22:40 Ninhomalo, 21:00 – 21:30
Lotus Avalon Emerson, 04:20 – 05:45 Avalon Emerson plays his second Primavera Sound in three years.
Richie Hawtin, 02:50 – 04:05 Anglo-Canadian Richie Hawtin (QRO photos at a festival) helped found Detroit’s techno sound and has been a leading exponent of minimalist techno. He returns to Primavera Sound.
Also: David August, 01:10 – 02:15 Tierra Whack, 00:00 – 00:40 Lizzo, 22:35 – 23:35 – QRO photos at a festival Channel Tres, 21:00 – 21:45 RRUCCULLA, 20:00 – 20:45 Museless, 19:00 – 19:45
Desperados Cube Voiski, 05:00 – 06:00 Jasss, 02:40 – 04:30 Veronica Vasicka, 02:00 – 02:40 Mozhgan, 00:30 – 02:00 Hieroglyphic Being, 23:30 – 00:30 Fantastic Man b2b Tornado Wallace, 21:55 – 23:30 Izabel, 20:30 – 21:50 Epsilove, 19:30 – 20:30 Nosedrip, 18:00 – 19:30
Xiringuito Aperul DJ Supermarkt, 16:30 – 18:00 Ecran Total, 15:15 – 16:30 Frinda Di Lanco, 14:00 – 15:15
El Punto by Adidas Originals Yung Beef (DJ set), 04:00 – 05:00 DJ Playero, 02:00 – 04:00 Kodie Shane, 01:10 – 02:00 Hurricane G feat Tony Touch, 00:25 – 01:10 Ian Isiah, 00:00 – 00:25 Albany, 23:15 – 00:00
Day Pro L8ching, 17:00 – 17:30 Hån, 16:00 – 16:30 Mr. Perfumme, 15:00 – 15:30
Living Primavera by IKEA Tirzah, 13:00 – 14:00

SUNDAY, JUNE 2nd

Barcelona Cupido, 21:00 – 22:00 Christina Rosenvinge, 19:50 – 20:45 Spain’s own singer Christina Rosenvinge comes back to Primavera Sound for a second year in a row.
Filthy Friends, 18:20 – 19:20 Sometimes great musicians want to get together to play other people’s great songs, such as Filthy Friends (QRO photos at a festival). Comprised of Corin Tucker of Sleater-Kinney, Peter Buck of R.E.M., and Kurt Bloch & Scott McCaughey (QRO interview) of The Minus 5 – Buck & McCaughey are also part of another supergroup, the baseball-themed Baseball Project (QRO spotlight on) – got together to play covers of the one-and-only David Bowie. However, they’ve since released two full-lengths, Invitation and this year’s political Emerald Valley (QRO review). Also: Lil Moss, 17:20 – 18:00 Aleesha, 16:30 – 17:10
Day Pro Tin Robots, 16:00 – 16:30 Kirara, 15:00 – 15:30 DTSQ, 14:00 – 14:30 – QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’16
Apolo Venue DJ Coco, 03:00 – 05:00 DJ Coco returns to Primavera Sound for a ninth year in a row, to close out Apolo Venue.
Also: Cupcakke, 02:00 – 02:45 Amyl & The Sniffers, 00:45 – 01:45 The Beths, 23:30 – 00:15 Agost, 22:30 – 23:10
La [2] de Apolo Flaca, 03:00 – 05:00 Miya Folick, 01:45 – 02:45 Efrim Manual Menuck, 00:30 – 01:30 LNDFK, 23:00 – 23:40

For festival website, go here: https://www.primaverasound.es/index