Last Sunday, the world bid farewell to the 22nd edition of the Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona, a truly unforgettable experience from one of my favorite festivals.
In an attempt to soothe the post-fest blues that we’re all dealing with, I’m looking back at the many moments that made PS2024 unforgettable. Featuring a staggering 200+ diverse performances throughout Barcelona and the festival grounds at the seaside Parc del Forum, Primavera Sound 2024 was bursting with memorable moments that have us wistfully looking towards next summer, when we can do it all over again.
And while it’s hard to pick, I’ve narrowed down some of the most exciting and surprising performances from the weekend.
When it came to big-name dance lineups, there was nothing quite like Day 1. French DJ duo Justice played an incredible mainstage set, with thousands of fans finally getting to hear tracks from their critically acclaimed 2023 album Hyperdrama. This was followed by a soul-stirring set from Peggy Gou, whose house-forward beats lifted a packed crowd into a state of bliss that was only heightened with the live vocals of Villana Marie, a surprise guest and collaborator of this South Korean DJ.
There was also a refreshing and intimate showcase from Hyperdub at the Warehouse x Dice stage, a parking garage turned club that was the perfect setting for this London-based label’s exciting emerging voices. And who could forget Peruvian DJ Sofia Kourtesis, whose live vocals echoed across the Cupra Stadium as she performed tracks from her debut album Madres, which took the dance world by storm just a few months ago?
Since 2022, Primavera Sound has become somewhat of a hotspot for fans to catch performances from the ever-expanding hyperpop sphere. And despite the shuttering of the PC Music label late last year, this year’s edition was no exception with a lineup that featured Charli XCX, A.G. Cook, Hannah Diamond (w/ guest appearance from Namasenda and thelimitdoesnotexist), Troye Sivan, and Dorian Electra. Of these performances, my highlights were undeniably Hannah Diamond and Charli XCX, the latter of which closed out the final full festival day with a set featuring debuts from her latest album, Brat.
Of course, it’s not Primavera Sound without a visit to the Boiler Room x Cupra stage. In truth, I could probably spend the whole festival partying in this techno-lovers paradise, which always features a delectable DJ lineup. This year saw sets from powerhouses that included Armand Hammer, Bill Kouligas, M8NSE, and “mother” Arca, who shook up the open-air stage in a battle against heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Finally, there’s no better way to recover from a weekend of partying than… more partying? At least, this is the hair-of-the-dog philosophy behind Primavera’s Brunch! Elektronik, the official daytime afterparty to Primavera Sound. This year’s stacked lineup featured Mochakk and The Blessed Madonna, and it was actually with the last booms of The Blessed Madonna’s set bouncing across the Mediterranean that Primavera Sound 2024 ended and the summer began.
Did you make it out to Barcelona this year for Primavera Sound 2024? Have you been in previous years? Share your experience with us over on Instagram @nexusradiodance and make sure to give us a follow for more exclusive coverage of the world’s best dance festivals.
