This June, Barcelona will show its true dedication to electronic music. 2016 will see the 23rd edition of the Sónar Festival of Music, Creativity and Technology. It’s not just the festival itself which will attract music fans from across the globe, but also the events happening in and around the city during the entire week. These parties have collectively become known as Off-Week (or Off-Sónar, although the organisers of the official festival would prefer to avoid this association.)
International record labels and collectives will be showcasing some of the best talent the world has to offer at the city’s best clubs and outdoor spaces. We have taken a look at all the Off Week events and have chosen our favourites.
Proyectual Presents, 16/06/2016
The opening party in the OFF AT FORUM series this year sees an incredible line-up curated by Spanish promoters Proyectual, reflecting its conceptual and avant-garde philosophy. Exclusive sets from the likes of Berlin resident Motor City Drum Ensemble and Detroit legend Omar-S, fresh from the release of his brilliant new album – The Best, will begin the week with their own unique style of disco and house in front of the Mediterranean Sea.
The line-up, which also includes Todd Terje, Joy Orbison, Virginia ft. Steffi & Dexter, will be spread across two stages fully equipped with an L-Acoustics sound system . There’s even direct access to the sea.
Line-up:
Todd Terje (live)*
Motor City Drum Ensemble*
Gold Panda (live)*
Omar-S*
Joy Orbison
Optimo
Prins Thomas*
Virginia feat Steffi & Dexter (live)*
Isolée (live)
DB aka Departure Brother*
Beyond*
Marc Piñol*
Wrong Therapy*
*exclusive sets
Clap Your Hands Boat, 16/06/2016
Clap Your Hands sets sails for a unique boat party during this year’s Off Week in Barcelona. The Berlin based record label has a rough and modern approach to house and electro, with Berlin parties held at the likes of Ipse and Tresor. For their first Barcelona edition they haven’t held back. They’ve chartered a yacht and invited along the scene’s cream of the crop such as Radio Slave and Dense & Pika waiting to set sail.
Line-up:
Radio Slave
dubspeeka
Dense & Pika
Robosonic
Thabo Getsome
Marcel Knopf
David Medina
Secretsundaze, 17/06/2016
The first of two Secretsundaze parties at this year’s Off-Week sees Detroit’s Marcellus Pittman fill the headline slot of a very impressive line-up. He will be supported by Hunee, the always happy and charming Dutchman, who will be spinning an eclectic range of music from funk and soul to house and techno.
The UK also has a strong representation. Midland, who along with Ben UFO and Karenn have revolutionised British techno, returns to Secretsundaze for the first time since 2012. Also on the billing is Bristol based Chilean Shanti Celeste, whose record label BRSTL has made serious progress since its foundation in 2011. She will be showcasing her dusty and groovy style in a set no doubt filled with records of which only record store staff know.
Line-up:
Marcellus Pittman
Hunee
Midland
Nick Höppner
Beautiful Swimmers
Palms Trax
Shanti Celeste
Secretsundaze
The House District, 18/06/2016
With exclusive sets from all their artists, The House District have put on a house line-up to rival any around the world. American Levon Vincent, whose long-awaited self-titled debut album dropped last year to a great reception (#2 in Resident Advisor’s albums of 2015), will headline another top line-up. He will be supported by Amsterdam’s Antal, whose focus on disco and funk will have the crowd dancing non-stop, and New York’s Fred P (aka Black Jazz Consortium), who has been at the centre of the development of house in the USA throughout the last decade. Special Guest Kevin Saunderson will be playing a very intimate house set.
With an outdoor terrace open all evening, a food area by ‘BAO BAO’, and a fully equipped Funktion One sound system, this really is an event not to be missed.
Line-up:
Levon Vincent
DJ Qu
Tama Sumo
Fred P aka Black Jazz Consortium
Antal
Joey Anderson
Lakuti
Hiver
Special House Set by Kevin Saunderson
IR Presents: Mosaic Vinyl Stage, 19/06/2016
IR BCN closes their Off-Week events with a very special vinyl only stage where Maceo Plex will present his new musical concept, Mosaic. His ever increasing international popularity puts him on the bill next to German legend Sven Vath, plus Stepham Bodzin, Roman Flugel, and a very special guest DJ Koze, whose DJ Kicks album from last year is arguably one of the best.
Line-up:
Sven Väth
Maceo Plex
DJ Koze
Stephan Bodzin
Roman Flügel
