Sónar

Sónar Festival transforms Barcelona's cultural venues each June into an interconnected network of electronic music performances, audiovisual installations, and technological demonstrations. The three-day event spans multiple indoor and outdoor locations, including the modernist Fira Montjuïc complex for daytime programming and the industrial Fira Gran Via L'Hospitalet for nighttime shows. Since its 1994 founding, Sónar has established itself as a cornerstone of Spain's electronic music calendar alongside parallel industry conference Sónar+D. The festival's programming emphasizes modular synthesis, live electronic performance, and experimental audiovisual works across techno, electroclash, and avant-garde electronic genres. SonarMix, the festival's content platform, documents performances and produces artist features throughout the year. The event's technology focus manifests through interactive installations, synthesizer workshops, and real-time visual programming demonstrations. Sónar's influence extends beyond its June dates through partnerships with music technology companies, record labels, and cultural institutions. The festival maintains an archive of recorded performances and commissioned works dating back to its inception. International editions of Sónar have taken place in cities including Reykjavik, Buenos Aires, and Tokyo, adapting the festival's format while maintaining its focus on electronic experimentation.