So It´s Primavera Sound time again, last year they managed to pull off one of the better festivals on the European circuit in the midst of a crisis, here´s hoping we´re in for the same treatment this year. The lineup is huge and varied, so this list is by no means exhaustive, and there are about 1000 other bands we hope to see while we´re there, but these right here are our definites, The bands we came to see. For everything else check out the full lineup
THURSDAY 27TH MAY
The Books
19:00h – ATP Stage
Dreamlike electronic indie, comprised of singer and guitarist/bassist Nick Zammuto, cellist Paul de Jong, and hours of obscure samples. In their live show they also sync equally obscure video samples while playing, so don’t expect rock frontmanism, but rather a melancholic dream for all your senses.
Surfer Blood
19:15h – Pitchfork Stage
In a typical festival collision I´ll be ditching the books early to see Surfer Blood and their catchy guitars and hook heavy indie with a pinch of tropicana beach party. With the single “Swim” getting huge rotation last year, followed up by “take it easy” and “Floating Vibes”. Add to that that the rest of their debut album “Astro Coast” is solid as well, and all that´s left is to see how they stand up live.
The XX
21:15h – Ray-Ban Stage
The XX, what more do you need to know, 1 near perfect debut album, 4 (now 3) young Londoners that emerged from a bedroom somewhere after perfecting their sound, and one of the most anticipated shows of the festival. You´ve already heard the whole album, lamented a ruined relationship, and started looking forward to a brighter future with these guys, you probably owe them something for that, go see them live already.
Wild Beasts
23:00h – Pitchfork Stage
Romantic UK indie/art rock, melancholic and complex structures swirling around under Hayden Thorpes amazing and unique voice, make for one of my favorite albums this year, it took me a couple of spins to really get into this, but now that I am, I ain’t putting it down anytime soon.
FRIDAY 28TH MAY
Owen Pallett (Final Fantasy)
16:00h – Rockdelux Stage (Auditori)
Anyone who ever listened to a Final Fantasy record knows what to expect. Bad ass compositions, Now playing under his own name Owen weaves rich musical landscapes, a perfect way to kick off the Friday.
Harlem
18:00h – Vice Stage
You know how sometimes you go to a festival and you just wanna chill and get boozy for the first 2 hours while shooting the shit with your friends? Well the whimsical lo-fi folk that Harlem is bringing over is gonna be just perfect for that. It´s a date.
Beach House
21:40h – ATP Stage
After the first 2 CocoRoise songs, I´ll be running over here to catch Beach House as fast as I can, If the name makes you think of summer and sun, think again, this is more like a beach house in autumn with an huge dark clouds rolling in across the water and the first drops of rain exploding on the windows. Shuffling drum machines, woozy guitars, languid vocals and organs, and generally embracing and off-kilter pop
Yeasayer
02:30h – Vice Stage
Another Blogoshpere hit, Yeasayer play modern, multicultural, weird pop music, too much for some and not enough for others, be prepared to get your ears seriously involved with these guys, this is not easy listening, but if you dig it, very rewarding listening. Let´s just hope that (like our man Diplo below) the don´t suffer from Barcelona Syndrome due to that late slot.
Diplo
04:30h – Pitchfork Stage
This one could go either way, when he wants to be Diplo is smack bang on top of his game, He´s like mad scientist though, and not all of his experiments work out. I for one am really hoping the booty bass & baile funk aspects shine through and our man Diplo doesn´t succumb to the Barcelona syndrome.
SATURDAY 29th MAY
Atlas Sound
19:15h – Pitchfork Stage
Deceptively simple melodies covered with enough experimentation to made Atlas Sound one of the blogospheres favorites for 2009. Decidedly lo-fi and surprisingly rich, this will be all about sunglasses, cold beers, and recovery mode from last night.
Florence + The Machine
20:50h – San Miguel Stage
So people seem to either love or hate Florence + The Machine, Either way there´s no denying that they put on a hell of a live show. Which on the home straight of a three day festival is probably exactly what the doctor ordered to get you through to Sunday.
The Drums
21:45h – Vice Stage
Take Squeaky clean indie-pop and roll it up with yesteryear synths, electronica and tropicana, and you´ve got yourselves a good old time. The Summertime EP is in my top 5 right now, so go see them and watch them blow up to huge.
Gary Numan
00:15h – Vice Stage
Gary Numan, what else do you wanna know, If you don´t know who that is then don´t bother going, and for anyone else old, I´ll see you there.
HEALTH
03:00h – Vice Stage
Another one that could easily suffer from barcelona syndrome, When they´re doing it right Health mixes noise, distortion, and dancefloor to perfection. Could be too much on the noise end of things for alot of folks, but is one of the more interesting late night offerings this year.
Speak up!