Image Courtesy of Sónar.
When I went to Barcelona last year for the 31st edition of Sònar, I understood – finally – what a good festival inside a city could be like. After spending three days witnessing experimental music performances, absorbing ambient soundscapes and heading to panel talks about forward-thinking technological innovation, I experienced how Sònar are actively challenging the festival format while actively pushing the medium of music – and art, for that matter – forward. Rather than a space of consumption (or overconsumption, rather) of music and so-called hedonism, Sònar positions itself as a springboard of sorts for uture imaginings, ideas and conversations. When I was asked to return, I quickly accepted – only this time, it’ll be in Lisbon.
Since its first edition in Barcelona in 1994, Sónar has held over 100 editions worldwide during the past three decades – from Harpa in Reykjavik to the auditoriums Parco de la Musica in Rome, to Parque Anhembi in São Paulo. With each festival, they attempt – and successfully so – redefine what a festival is and can be, always pulling from the infinite pocket of possibilities that they see for themselves. Committed to removing barriers and forging connections between audiences, genres and creative disciplines, Sónar captures the reality of the now while questioning how it might evolve.
Image Courtesy of Sónar.
Next month, the festival returns to Lisbon’s Pavilhão Carlos Lopes – one of the city’s most recognisable buildings, located in the leafy confines of Parque Eduardo VII, originally designed for the International Exhibition of Rio de Janeiro in 1922. And from 11th until 14th, the space will transform into a hub for experimentation.
Looking to the future of club culture and electronic music in 2025, Sónar Lisboa features incredible audiovisual shows by grandmaster innovators of electronic music (think: UK duo Underworld and techno DJ Jeff Mills) and a trio of stage takeovers by local labels and collectives. As with every Sónar festival, no matter the location the idea is about converging international and local scenes. Working in such a way allows curators to present different artists and communities alongside electronic music superstars to create a multifaceted programme of local and global underground music.
“There is a cultural and musical identity in Lisbon, connected to the diaspora,” Enric Palau, Co-Founder and Director of Sónar, tells me when I ask about their reason for choosing Lisbon. “This gives Sónar Lisboa a very interesting identity to discover and enjoy these musics, rythms and genres. The relationship between creativity and technology is also always present, which is one of the main features of Sonar Barcelona.”
"So – you can jump from a high intensity techno set at the main stage to a panel talk exploring the use of technology in music, to an experimental dance performance in an auditorium. In offering an expansive space situated outside of the dancefloor, music turns into a space for education and knowledge."
For those unfamiliar with Sónar, the festival utilises a three-part structure: Sónar by Day, Sónar by Night and Sónar +D. Such a format allows for you to make your own journey through the festival, essentially you’re able to create your own. So – you can jump from a high intensity techno set at the main stage to a panel talk exploring the use of technology in music, to an experimental dance performance in an auditorium. In offering an expansive space situated outside of the dancefloor, music turns into a space for education and knowledge.
A few highlights, to give you a feel for the scope of the festival:
As well as the loved and famed Underworld and Jeff Mills as headliners, this year’s lineup features Siberian techno trailblazer Nina Kraviz and a brand-new live set from longtime Berghain resident Marcel Dettmann, intriguingly entitled ‘My Own Shadow’. Founders of another Berlin institution, Monkeytown Records, Modeselektor have helped keep electronic music fresh, free-spirited and fun over the past two decades; they’re playing a rare DJ set.
Image Courtesy of Sónar.
Moving more local, Sónar introduces pioneering Lisbon label Príncipe who have spent almost 15 years reflecting the musical rhythms of the African diaspora. Many of the artists on this label are Portuguese-born descendants of countries on Africa’s west coast, and so the label specializes in a high-energy amalgam of African dance styles known as batida – a ground-breaking genre that has its roots in the city’s suburbs and has made its way to the ears of global audiences.
Then there’s Dengo Club – one of Lisbon’s leading LGBTQIA+ collectives, with events that blend local queer and POC artists with the best black and latin DJs and live acts from the global underground: baile funk, afro house and everything in between.
For non-musical programming, Sonar+D introduces 3 masterclasses focused on AI & creativity and echology. There’s ‘Mapping Sonic Scenes’ with Kaitlyn Davies and Brian Wong; ‘Creativity and AI’ with Boldtron; and ‘Crafting visuals in a workshop’ with Hamill Industries.
It’s set to be a mind-expanding weekend – filled with plenty of moments to dance, discover and connect with Lisbon’s musical world, a weekend to witness the weaving of many local and global undergrounds to create a tapestry of experimental talent.
Get your tickets here.