Primavera Sound kicks off this week! While the lineup can be a bit overwhelming with wall-to-wall music, here’s a video rundown of what we are trying to catch at the 2023 Barcelona edition. Primavera Sound starts Wednesday, May 31st with a kickoff shoe featuring the Pet Shop Boys, a festival from June 1-3, a beach brunch on June 4, and a second edition in Madrid from June 5-11th. It’s going to get wild.
Who: The Moldy Peaches
When: Friday, June 2 – 8:55 pm
Where: Cupra Stage
Why: Bust out your hamburger phone. It’s the return of The Moldy Peaches.
Who: Death Grips
When: Saturday, June 3 – 1:55 am
Where: Ron Brugal
Why: The last time I saw Death Grips at PS, I unknowingly went right to the rail, not knowing how insane their fans are. Looking forward to catching a repeat performance from a safer vantage.
Who: Maneskin
When: Saturday, June 3 – 12:40 am
Where: Amazon Music
Why: This Italian rock band is known for putting on a wild live show. I must see it.
Who: Fred Again…
When: Friday, June 2 – 12:30 am
Where: Santander
Why: Oh, Four Tet and Skrillex are also playing Friday? I wonder what’s going to happen?
Who: Japanese Breakfast
When: Friday, Jun 2 – 10:05 pm
Where: The Vision by Pull&Bear
Why: After playing a set on one of the larger stages, JB will be stopping by this tiny onsite bar, so super interested to see what will go down.
Who: Surf Curse
When: Saturday, June 3 – 6:55 pm
Where: Ron Brugal
Why: Loud. Fun. Indie rock.
Who: The Comet Is Coming
When: Thursday, June 1 – 4:05 am
Where: Ron Brugal
Why: A mashup of electronica, funk, and jazz seems like the perfect combination for a 4:00 am set.
Who: Caroline Polachek
When: Saturday, June 3 – 6:55 pm
Where: Estrella Damm
Why: Chairlift is dead. Long live Caroline Polachek.
Who: The Beths
When: Friday, June 2 – 5:15 pm
Where: Dice Stage
Why: The latest album from the New Zealand quartet, Expert In A Dying Field is one of the best that I’ve heard in the past year.
Who: Turnstile
When: Thursday, June 1 – 8:20 pm
Where: Estrella Damm
Why: Hardcore meets catchy pop melodies.
Who: Purple Disco Machine
When: Sunday, June 4 – 7:00 pm
Where: Parc Del Forum
Why: It’s a beach brunch on a lazy Sunday. I really don’t care who is playing.
Primavera Sound Barcelona 2023
When: May 31-June 3, 2023
Where: Barcelona, Spain
The Scene: This Barcelona institution is a beacon for the entire spectrum of indie rock along with a smattering of entries from just about every other genre of music. Hundreds of bands fill the Parc El Forum along with one-of-a-kind intimate performances throughout the city. Add this music festival mecca to your bucket list immediately.
The Lineup: Alex G, Baby Keem, Bad Religion, Black Midi, Bleachers, Blur, Built To Spill, Calvin Harris, Christine And The Queens, Death Grips, Depeche Mode, Ezra Furman, FKA Twigs, Four Tet, Halsey, Japanese Breakfast, Kendrick Lamar, My Morning Jacket, Pet Shop Boys, Pusha T, Rosalía, Skrillex, St. Vincent, Swans, The Comet is Coming, The Voidz, The War on Drugs, Turnstile, Yung Lean, Yves Tumor
More Info: Primavera Sound Barcelona 2023 Guide