When: 29 May – 31 May 2014
Where: Parc del Fòrum, Diagonal Mar
Cost: 175€ for festival pass, or 99€ for day ticket
At the end of May, Barcelona hosts one of the top festivals in Europe – Primavera Sound 2013. Back for its twelfth year, the festival continues to focus on independent music and is already gearing up to put a spring in Barcelona’s step once again.
With a long line-up of indie heroes, this open-air festival is a rare treat for those with an ear for alternative pop – Primavera Sound has been graced by more musical legends than you could start a record label with. In previous years it has attracted headliners such as Lou Reed, Neil Young, Pulp, the Pet Shop Boys and Arcade Fire to Barcelona.
The event’s main stage is situated in the vast Parc del Fòrum, with the Mediterranean sea for a backdrop. If you don’t feel like forking out 80€ for a day ticket, the festival will include two free concerts near the Arc de Triompf called ‘Primavera a la Ciutat’ on the opening and last days of the festival.
Like lots of other top festivals in Barcelona, unofficial events and a feel-good atmosphere are all part of the experience. It’s a great time to come to Barcelona, even if you aren’t a dedicated muso with some cash to spare.
Cut to the chase – who played at Primavera Sound 2013?
Blur
The kings of Brit-pop, Blur have had huge global success since the ‘90s and chart-topping albums such as ‘Modern Life Is Rubbish’ (1993), ‘Parklife’ (1994) and ‘The Great Escape’ (1995). After a 6-year break, the indie-pop pioneers reformed in 2009 for a UK tour and have since headlined Glastonbury and the 2012 closing Olympic Ceremony.
Phoenix
This alternative rock band from Versailles draws elements from their eclectic ’80s upbringing. Thomas Mars, Deck d’Arcy, and Christian Mazzalai started off in 1995 as a garage band and were later joined by Mazzalai’s older brother Branco. Together ever since, the boys have been growing and growing in popularity and are a favourite on the festival scene.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds is an Australian alternative rock band, formed in London in 1983. They strayed from the traditional rock route and have used influences from various genres, including punk rock, gothic rock and blues. They have collaborated with some big names such as Kylie Minogue and always put on a great show at international festivals.
My Bloody Valentine
My Bloody Valentine is an alternative rock band formed in Dublin in 1983. This formidable live act reject rock-&-roll conventions, and are well-known for their ‘shoegazing’ – a termed coined after people noticed that they rarely moved, or even looked at the audience while on stage. Their ground-breaking album ‘Loveless’ received critical acclaim and they’re no strangers to the stage having completed US and European tours.
The Postal Service
The Postal Service is an American band who produce a mix of bubbling electronica and indie pop. They are made up of vocalist Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, producer Jimmy Tamborello of Dntel and Headset and Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley on background vocals/keyboards. Their performance at Primavera will be part of a 31-leg tour over four months celebrating the re-issue of their only studio album ‘Give Up’.
Primavera Sound Practicalities
The official Primavera Sound website is a great source of info and has managed to cover virtually every question you could think of, from where to leave your jacket to where the toilets are. Although it’s open-air, Primavera Sound isn’t a camping festival. Due to the popularity of this event, which takes place at the outset of the main tourist season in Barcelona, it’s a good idea to start booking tickets and accommodation now. Hostels are likely to be packed out at this time, but booking yourself a holiday apartment could work out well, especially if you’re travelling as a group.
We guarantee you’ll pay the lowest price for your apartment that’s out there on the internet – or we’ll give you double the difference back. Just plug in your details below and away you go.
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I wasn’t sure whether or not i’d go to the Primavera festival this year having never been before but this article has definitely swayed me! It has been really helpful and is the main reason i booked my ticket!! Thanks alot!!!
Do it! You won´t regret it 🙂
glad you enjoyed it, have an amazing time, and if you have anymore questions, I´d be more than happy to help
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Rochelle
This article was witty,informative & helpfull
John
Nice article – looking forward to this years line up. Catalonia Blog . Last year’s festival was pretty good and this year may even be better, who knows!
Hey,
Nice blog!
Yes this years lineup looks amazing, cannot wait, gutted I missed last years, My bloody Valentine, Aphex twins, Sonic youth? Were you lucky enough to catch any of them last year?
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle, yep – you just named some of my favs although Jarvis cocker and Neil Young were pretty good.
awesome, love the cocker, well enjoy this year and if you have anymore questions, I´d be more than happy to help
Rochelle
this is the best website for the festival iv come across so far the smiley face map is so good im printing it off and its coming with me! I was wondering how long the queue is for wrist bands roughly? im hoping no longer than an hour Pavement are playing at 1 and it says the ticket gates open at 12!
tasha
Hi Tasha,
Glad you enjoyed it!
Which type of ticket do you have? If you have a normal ticket, gates will open at around 4pm, If you only have a night time ticket, you’re right gates will open at 12am, however night time tickets will only grant you access to the pitchfork stage, where pavement are playing the San Miguel Stage.
If you already have your ticket and you just have to pick up your wristband it never takes longer then 30 minutes. I would get there maybe a half hour earlier, seeing as Pavement are playing so soon after the gates open for the night.
If you arrive earlier around 6 or 7 the queues can be long. If you have to pick up your ticket first at the box office that can take up to 2 hours.
Hope this helps and good luck with the smiley face map, I hope you will never be lost for a toilet, anymore questions feel free to ask 🙂 we also have an article on Sonar, if you plan on going to that too!
Have fun, see you somewhere there!
Rochelle
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting.
Hi Mich
Thanks for the comment, I’m glad you have enjoyed reading our blog so much. Keep letting us know what you think!
Lucie
Hi Rochelle, can you tell me where you got the information about what time which band takes stage? I’ve been on the official website and can’t find it.
Also, any idea when the night tickets go on sale?
Renee
Hi Renee
Tickets have been on sale since 16th March, you can get them through ticket master here 🙂 http://bit.ly/primavera-bcn
As for the time schedule for the bands, it is yet to be released so you’ll have to keep checking, its usually pretty close to the actual date. However you can see which days acts are playing by clicking on their names through the main site.
Have a great time!
Chloe
Hey!
I recently compiled a list of all the free Primavera Sound parties happening both leading up to and during the festival! Really good for people like me who can’t afford the €190 pass…
Have a look here, there’s tons of free stuff going on!
Hi Darina,
Thanks for sharing this. Hope you have a great time at Primavera Sound!
È difficile trovare persone competenti su questo argomento, ma sembra che voi sappiate di cosa state parlando! Grazie
Grazie per il complimento!