With 45 new names announced, the Sónar 2023 musical lineup is now finalised. Enigmatic cult artist APHEX TWIN, Barcelona’s own global superstar BAD GYAL, ERIC PRYDZ’S colossal 3-D live show HOLO, acclaimed British rapper LITTLE SIMZ and the refined house of South Africa’s BLACK COFFEE are just four of the highlights from a list that includes superstar DJs, the most forward-thinking musical minds, and unique performances.
All under one roof at Sónar by Day!
One of the most acclaimed figures in global clubbing, BLACK COFFEE, closes a redesigned SonarVillage by Estrella Damm on the opening day of Sónar 2023, Thursday 15th June. The iconic South African DJ completes a heavyweight trio of Sónar by Day headliners, joining THE BLESSED MADONNA (Friday 16th June) and LAURENT GARNIER (Saturday 17th June).
It’s here that HORSE MEAT DISCO X PROSUMER will join forces for a masterclass in disco, house, and beyond. Also on the bill are experimental new-trance producer LORENZO SENNI and Berlin-via-Madrid rave artist HÉCTOR OAKS, performing new live sets based on their forthcoming albums. Spanish rap stars LEÏTI and STICKY M.A. will present their latest albums, fusing their original styles with new genres, while NUSAR3000 mixes drum’n’bass with reggaeton. KYNE blends trap, classic r&b and latin soul, and Spanish rappers KITTY110 / LABLACKIE / L’BEEL flirt with various styles, from drill to electronica.
PHRAN’S ‘Vimana Discplay’ live set takes inspiration from Venezuelan mobile sound-systems, MUSA KEYS carries the torch for amapiano, TOHJI offers a Japanese take on hyperpop, and local DJ SERGI BOTELLA explores esoteric rhythms. They join already announced acts like cult producers ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER and MAX COOPER, a Brazilian back-to-back from BADSISTA b2b CASHU, Oakland rave selector BORED LORD, and talented Catalan musician MARINA HERLOP.
A celebration for the ages at Sónar by Night!
It had to happen. On Friday 16th June, APHEX TWIN performs at Sónar for the first time in 12 years. The enigmatic cult artist and godfather of IDM returns after four years away from the stage to perform a new audiovisual show at SonarClub, Sónar by Night’s largest venue.
Also joining the programme is Swedish producer ERIC PRYDZ’S immersive audiovisual show HOLO. On Saturday 17th June, Sónar will offer one of the few opportunities in the world this year to experience the progressive house icon’s acclaimed 3D mega-production.
Another name who couldn’t miss the 30th anniversary is BAD GYAL, who performs for the first time at Sónar by Night. The Catalan artist returns to Sónar as a global idol. She leads a diverse collection of local talent at Sónar by Night on Saturday 17th June, including an all-Spanish lineup at SonarCar by TOUS: queer icon SAMANTHA HUDSON returns to Sónar with a new show, ‘AOVE Black Label’; rapper LA ZOWI presenting ‘La Reina del Sur’; and internet sensation ORSLOK; plus DJ sets from MAREO: CHICO BLANCO B2B 8KITOO, RUSOWSKY and PARKINEOS.
They join already announced live performances by BICEP and FEVER RAY, plus stellar DJs including AMELIE LENS, PEGGY GOU, SOLOMUN and RICHIE HAWTIN for a massive 30th anniversary party. Other names joining the lineup include LITTLE SIMZ’S thoughtful hip-hop; ballroom house tinged rap from CAKES DA KILLA; and a selection of hispanic pop, trap and r&b courtesy of ALIZZZ’S ‘Club 2000’ DJ set, conceived especially for the festival. There’s also breezy tech-house from viral sensation MOCHAKK, and timeless techno by Barcelona legend ANGEL MOLINA. The diverse, global sound of modern London is represented by IKONIKA’S ‘Bubble Up’ live set, while DJ HOLOGRAPHIC B2B DJ MINX offers a different vision of Detroit for the festival’s 30th anniversary.
Other back-to-backs include TIGA B2B CORA NOVOA and ÂME B2B MARCEL DETTMANN, the latter for 5 hours on Friday at SonarCar by TOUS. RUSSELL HASWELL’S unpredictable noise and global club sounds from LOWPROFILE meet UNDO’S subtle electronica and latinx-industrial noise from CARDOPUSHER, with NENE H’s fast-paced techno and the seductive rhythm of CHLOÉ CAILLET rounding out this year’s Sónar by Night lineup.
