Primavera Sound 2016 Preview

One of the biggest – and most advanced – music festivals out there, Primavera Sound, returns to Barcelona, stretching all week from Monday, May 30th to Sunday, June 5th.

MONDAY, MAY 30th

Apolo Venue Psychic TV, 22:00 – 23:00 English experimental video art & music collective Psychic TV comes back to Primavera Sound. Also: Mar Otra Vez, 20:50 – 21:40

TUESDAY, MAY 31st

Apolo Venue Deradoorian, 22:00 – 23:00 SG Lewis, 21:00 – 21:40 CARLA, 20:00 – 20:40
La [2] de Apolo Rss Boys, 23:00 – 23:45 Merkabah, 22:00 – 22:45 Noga Erez, 21:00 – 21:45

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1st

Parc del Fórum Suede, 22:00 – 23:30 Nineties Britpop had, at its front, Blur, Oasis, Pulp, and Suede, whose 1992 self-titled debut broke record sales speeds, while follow-up Dog Man Star showed them stepping out into their own. More success followed in the nineties, but as the twenty-first century dawned, time seemed to have past the band by, bringing about a hiatus. Yet Suede have returned in force in this decade, most recently with this year’s Night Thoughts. In addition to their regular gig at Primavera Sound, they also headline the special free Wednesday night at Parc del Fórum.
Goat, 20:30 – 21:30 Fusing alternative, experimental, and world music is Sweden’s Goat, who’ve of course been getting critical acclaim already. Also: Sr. Chinarro, 19:00 – 20:00 El Último Vecino, 18:00 – 18:35 Doble Pietina, 17:00 – 17:35
Daypro Bearoid, 15:10 – 15:40 Esperit!, 14:20 – 14:50 CARLA, 13:30 – 14:00 Planeta No, 12:40 – 13:10 Núria Graham, 11:30 – 12:00
Apolo Venue Optimo (Espacio), 03:15 – 05:00 Suuns, 02:00 – 03:00 Montreal’s Suuns (QRO photos) are a post-industrial group (QRO photos at a festival) out this year with Hold/Still. They return to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’11), playing it twice.
White Fence, 00:40 – 01:40 The more psychedelic-pop White Fence (QRO photos at a festival) teamed up in 2012 with fellow Primavera ’16 performer Ty Segall (see below) for Hair, and now he comes to play twice at Primavera Sound. Also: Stara Rzeka, 23:50 – 00:20
La [2] de Apolo Barry Hogan, 02:00 – 05:00 The founder of All Tomorrow’s Parties (QRO photos from ATP), Barry Hogan, spins to close out La [2] de Apolo.
Younghusband, 01:00 – 01:45 The London quartet Younghusband (QRO photos at a festival) is touring last year’s Dissolver, a step beyond in their melodic and dreamy catalogue. Also: Mueran Humanos, 00:00 – 00:45
Barts Daniel Gon, 02:00 – 03:00 Jessy Lanza, 01:00 – 02:00 – QRO photos Empress Of, 23:50 – 00:40 – QRO photos Daniel Gon, 22:00 – 23:45

THURSDAY, JUNE 2nd

Ray-Ban Unplugged Stage Jessy Lanza, 22:30 – 23:05 – QRO photos El Último Vecino, 21:00 – 21:35 Gang of Youths, 19:30 – 20:05 White Reaper, 18:00 – 18:35 – QRO photos
Firestone Stage Beach Slang, 16:25 – 16:55 Philly punks Beach Slang put just the right amount of emotion into the rock of their debut, last fall’s The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us (QRO review). They play twice at Primavera Sound ’16.
Heineken Stage LCD Soundsystem, 01:10 – 02:45 When the indie kids started using synthesizers, it began with LCD Soundsystem (QRO live review). As essential a starting point for twenty-first century music as The Strokes (and with a much better legacy), the outfit around James Murphy (QRO DJ photos) taught hipsters to dance – and hit single “Daft Punk Is Playing At My House” introduced the helmeted ones to Americans. Their 2005 self-titled debut full-length is as seminal an album this century as anything, with strong follow-ups in 2007’s Sound of Silver (QRO review) and 2010’s This Is Happening (QRO review). Eventually, the band got so big that Murphy had to call it quits on the whole thing (to focus on running DFA Records), but not before an epic run of goodbye shows in New York (QRO photos). But as sure as people asking what time Daft Punk goes on, we all knew the Soundsystem (QRO photos at a festival) would be back, and after much rumors & hype, this year they have returned – and return to Primavera Sound.
Explosions In the Sky, 22:20 – 23:20 There might not be a more important or beloved post-rock band that Explosions In the Sky (QRO photos at a festival). The Austin band (QRO photos at an Austin festival) basically introduced the epic, vocal-less concept that is ‘post-rock’ (QRO photos outdoors) into both the indie-sphere (QRO photos at a festival) and the wider world (QRO photos at a European festival) – and providing the theme song to Friday Night Lights – (QRO soundtrack review). They even made the Top Twenty on the Billboard charts with 2011’s Take Care, Take Care, Take Care (QRO review), and come back to Primavera Sound behind the follow-up, this year’s The Wilderness.
Daughter, 20:00 – 21:00 North London’s Elena Tonra + Swiss-born Igor Haefelli & France’s Remi Aguilella = indie-folk Daughter (QRO photos). Also: Algiers, 18:00 – 18:45
H&M Stage Tame Impala, 23:30 – 01:00 From Perth (QRO photos at a home) in Western Australia (QRO photos at a hometown festival), comes the psychedelic rock of Tame Impala (QRO live review), touring off of 2011’s Innerspeaker (QRO review) & 2012’s Lonerism, whose critical acclaim has won them fans across the world (QRO photos at a festival), and a spot back at Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival).
Air, 21:10 – 22:10 As essential and enjoyable as Daft Punk or Phoenix, another great artist from Versailles is Air (QRO photos), whose graceful electronica has graced everything from albums such as Pocket Symphony (QRO review) and Le Voyage Dans le Lune (QRO review) to Sofia Coppola soundtracks to novels to museums and more. Also: The James Hunter Six, 18:55 – 19:50
Primavera Stage Thee Oh Sees, 01:50 – 02:45 Hailing from The O.C. (the name was original ‘Orange County Sound’, then ‘OCS’, then – well, you get the idea…), John Dwyer formed Thee Oh Sees (QRO photos at a festival) to put out his experimental, instrumental home recordings, but over seven records has morphed into a full band and a wild live show (QRO photos at a festival). Thee Oh Sees come to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival) behind last year’s Mutilator Defeated At Last.
John Carpenter, 23:50 – 00:50 Seminal cult classic horror/sci-fi director John Carpenter (Halloween, Escape From New York) has long composed his own music for his films, and last year put out his first studio album, Lost Themes.
Suuns, 21:35 – 22:30 Montreal’s Suuns (QRO photos) are a post-industrial group (QRO photos at a festival) out this year with Hold/Still. They return to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound ’11), playing it twice.
BEAK>, 19:30 – 20:20 Portishead’s (QRO photos at a festival) Geoff Barrow formed side project BEAK> in 2009 (QRO photos at same festival), which also has featured female vocals from Anika. Also: Mueran Humanos, 17:40 – 18:25
Ray-Ban Stage Optimo (Espacio), 04:00 – 06:00 Battles, 02:50 – 03:50 Most instrumental-only acts are, frankly, boring to watch live. But there are a few exceptions to the rule, such as Explosions In the Sky (see above) and New York’s own Battles (QRO live review). Though they lost Tyondai Braxton (QRO photos with him), the band is still ultra-exciting to see on stage (QRO photos outdoors), even at a festival (QRO photos at a festival), as they come back to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival) for a second time in a row.
Mbongwana Star, 00:55 – 01:45 Even among the diverse acts of Primavera Sound, Mbongwana Star stand out. Hailing from Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, they’re fronted by wheelchair-bound childhood polio sufferers.
Floating Points, 22:40 – 23:40 Electronic musician & neuroscientist Sam Shepard plays twice at Primavera Sound as Floating Points.
Destroyer, 20:30 – 21:25 In the western Canadian super-group The New Pornographers (QRO live review), Dan Bejar (QRO photos at a festival) has been called ‘their George Harrison’, thanks to his stripped, skilled alt-folk work in his own outfit, Destroyer (QRO photos in Europe), most recently with last year’s Poison Season, the follow-up to 2011 full-length Kaputt (QRO review).
Cass McCombs, 18:30 – 19:20 Alt-musician Cass McCombs (QRO photos outdoors) defies easy categorization, and plays three times at Primavera ’16. Also: Autumn Comets, 17:00 – 17:35
Pitchfork Stage Hudson Mohawke, 04:10 – 05:45 Glasgow’s turntablist Ross Birchard, a.k.a. Hudson Mohawke, managed to get signed to acclaimed U.K. electronic imprint Warp despite few actual releases, but delivered in 2009’s Butler and a few EPs before also getting signed to Kanye West’s own GOOD Music after working some collaborations with West.
Neon Indian, 02:45 – 04:00 Alan Palomo worked solo as VEGA (QRO photos at a festival) and recruited a live band as Neon Indian (QRO photos at the same festival), where he’s far stronger (QRO photos with his band), especially outdoors (QRO photos outdoors with band) & at a festival (QRO photos at a festival with band). He comes to Primavera Sound (QRO photos) after last year’s release of VEGA INTL. Night School, his latest since 2011’s Era Extraña, and after touring colleges (QRO live review), museums (QRO photos), Down Under (QRO live review), and more (QRO photos).
Beach Slang, 01:15 – 02:15 Philly punks Beach Slang put just the right amount of emotion into the rock of their debut, last fall’s The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us (QRO review). They play twice at Primavera Sound ’16.
Protomartyr, 23:45 – 00:45 Detroit post-punk outfit (QRO photos) have earned tons of praise off of last year’s The Agent Intellect.
Vince Staples, 22:10 – 23:10 While Primavera Sound isn’t as heavy on the hip-hop as American festivals, it did a choice lyricist in Vince Staples (QRO photos at a festival). The Long Beach native first came up with others, such as in the group Cutthroat Boyz and in association with Odd Future (QRO live review), but has since made a name all his own (QRO photos at a festival).
Also: Empress Of, 20:25 – 21:25 – QRO photos Car Seat Headrest, 19:00 – 20:00 – QRO photos at a festival Nothing Places, 17:30 – 18:25
Adidas Originals Stage White Reaper, 04:05 – 05:00 – QRO photos Fasenuova, 02:20 – 03:20 Holögrama, 00:50 – 01:50 Har Mar Superstar, 23:10 – 00:10 – QRO photos at a festival A.R. Kane, 21:30 – 22:25 C+C=Maxigross, 20:05 – 21:00 Julien Baker, 18:40 – 19:30 Alberto Monter, 17:30 – 18:10
Nightpro Stage Jay Cubed, 04:00 – 04:40 Moonchild Sanelly, 03:00 – 03:40 Gang of Youths, 02:00 – 02:40 Jack Carty, 01:00 – 01:40 Inky, 00:00 – 00:40 DTSQ, 23:00 – 23:40 Dead Buttons, 22:00 – 22:40 Wedance, 21:00 – 21:40 O Terno, 20:00 – 20:40 Tiny Fingers, 19:00 – 19:40 Cut Out Club, 18:00 – 18:40 Noga Erez, 17:00 – 17:40
Auditori Rockdelux Kamasi Washington, 21:00 – 22:00 Acclaimed saxophonist Kamasi Washington brings a modern air to the jazz instrument.
Suede, 19:30 – 20:30 Nineties Britpop had, at its front, Blur, Oasis, Pulp, and Suede, whose 1992 self-titled debut broke record sales speeds, while follow-up Dog Man Star showed them stepping out into their own. More success followed in the nineties, but as the twenty-first century dawned, time seemed to have past the band by, bringing about a hiatus. Yet Suede have returned in force in this decade, most recently with this year’s Night Thoughts, which they play in full at Primavera Sound (as well as an early gig on Wednesday night). Also: Andy Shauf, 17:30 – 18:30 Alessandro Cortini, 16:00 – 17:00
Heineken Hidden Stage Peaches, 20:30 – 21:30 ‘Sexually explicit’ doesn’t begin to cover the gender-bending extravagance of Peaches (QRO photos), from albums like Fatherfucker, Impeach My Bush, I Feel Cream, and this year’s Rub, to her backing band, The Herms (short for hermaphrodites); her stage show – including attire – is even more extreme (QRO live review).
Lee Ranaldo & El Rayo, 18:00 – 18:45 Widely regarded as one of, if not the greatest guitarist in indie-rock, Lee Ranaldo (QRO photos at a festival) has been perhaps the greatest member of one of, if not the great bands in indie-rock, Sonic Youth (QRO live review). From the group’s start in New York’s no-wave sub-culture in the early eighties, late eighties acclaim on Daydream Nation (QRO live review), through grunge-era breakthrough a decade later, from their wildly experimental outings, like 2012’s soundtrack to the film Simon Werner a Disparu (QRO soundtrack review), to 2009’s last studio record, The Eternal (QRO review), Ranaldo has been maestro of Sonic Youth. In 2011, Youth singer/guitarist Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon announced they were divorcing after twenty-seven years of marriage, and Sonic Youth’s future remains uncertain, with no new material or concerts planned – but Ranaldo (QRO photos at a festival) hasn’t stayed still, releasing his latest solo record, Last Night on Earth, in 2013. He comes back to Primavera Sound, this time with El Rayo.
Bowers & Wilkins Sound System Helena Hauff, 03:30 – 05:30 Powell, 02:30 – 03:30 Architectural, 01:00 – 02:30 Broken English Club, 00:00 – 01:00 Eduardo de la Calle, 22:30 – 00:00 Pina, 21:45 – 22:30 Raudive, 20:45 – 21:45 Klavikon, 20:00 – 20:45 Har Mar Superstar (DJ set), 18:30 – 20:00 Jessy Lanza, 17:00 – 18:30 – QRO photos Todd Terje, 16:00 – 17:00 Erol Alkan, 14:00 – 16:00 Floating Points, 13:00 – 14:00 Rory Phillips, 12:00 – 13:00
Daypro Money For Rope, 17:40 – 18:10 The Meanies, 16:50 – 17:20 Methyl Ethel, 16:00 – 16:30 Gang of Youths, 15:10 – 15:40 Oh Pep!, 14:20 – 14:50 Jack Carty, 13:30 – 14:00 Tiny Fingers, 12:40 – 13:10 Cut Out Club, 11:50 – 12:20 Noga Erez, 11:00 – 11:30

FRIDAY, JUNE 3rd

Ray-Ban Unplugged Stage Chicago Toys, 22:30 – 23:05 Aliment, 21:00 – 21:35 Jack Carty, 19:30 – 20:05 Bearoid, 18:00 – 18:35
Firestone Stage Shura, 16:25 – 16:55
Heineken Stage Beach House, 02:00 – 03:00 The guitar-and-keys pair of Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally (QRO photos at a festival) may hail from Baltimore, but there’s a Francophile expanse to Beach House (QRO photos). 2008’s Devotion (QRO review) earned them many fans that felt that way (QRO live review), and 2010’s Teen Dream (QRO review) was shortlisted for ‘albums of the year’. In 2012 they came out with Bloom (QRO review), and they’ve since been working the festivals, coming back to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival). And the sweet sounds work in the bright sunlight (QRO photos outdoors) or the dark of the evening (QRO photos at a festival). And last year the band (QRO photos) released not one, but two new full-lengths, Depression Cherry (QRO review) and Thank Your Lucky Stars (QRO review).
Radiohead, 22:15 – 00:15 You know Radiohead (QRO live review), or at least you think you do. Though they had an early MTV nineties hit with “Creep”, the group evolved into something much, much more with records like The Bends, OK Computer, and Kid A, along the way becoming the biggest alternative music band in the world (QRO live review on Austin City Limits). In 2007 they reinvented the music business with the ‘pay-what-you-want’ download of In Rainbows (QRO review), following that up with The King of Limbs in 2011 (QRO review), while members Thom Yorke (QRO solo album review), Jonny Greenwood (QRO solo soundtrack review), Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, and Philip Selway (QRO solo album review) all were also free to do their own things. Just earlier this month, the group (QRO photos at a festival) surprised their fans with the new A Moon Shaped Pool (QRO review).
Savages, 20:00 – 20:50 2013 saw London quartet Savages (QRO photos) break out in a major way with Silence Yourself (QRO review). They come back to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival?) ready to deliver their thrilling live experience of post-punk and noise, behind this year’s Adore Life (QRO review).
H&M Stage The Last Shadow Puppets, 00:25 – 01:55 Arctic Monkeys (QRO live review) frontman Alex Turner + U.K.’s Miles Kane + Simian Mobile Disco’s (QRO live review) James Ford + Mini Mansions’ (QRO photos) Zach Dawes = supergroup The Last Shadow Puppets (QRO interview). They come to Primavera Sound (QRO photos) behind their second record, Everything You’ve Come To Expect, which is anything but.
Beirut, 21:00 – 22:00 While Zach Condon began his instrumental outfit Beirut (QRO photos at a festival) as a solo project (QRO photos at a festival), he’s since developed it into a full band (QRO photos at a festival), featuring just about every instrument you’ve ever heard of (QRO photos at a festival), most recently on last year’s No No No and 2011’s The Rip Tide (QRO review). He comes to this Mediterranean city festival for a second time.
Titus Andronicus, 19:05 – 19:50 Straight outta Jersey comes Garden State pridesters (QRO live review in New Jersey) Titus Andronicus (QRO photos at a festival), who were hitting all fifty hard (QRO photos out-of-state) even before (QRO photos at a festival) the release of their Civil War-inspired The Monitor (QRO review) – though 2012 Local Business (QRO review) was a big of a retread. But they’re not afraid of playing in New York or outdoors (QRO live review outdoors). They come to Primavera Sound behind last year’s 28-track opus The Most Lamentable Tragedy. Also: Dungen, 18:00 – 18:40
Primavera Stage Kiasmos, 01:45 – 02:40 Tortoise, 23:25 – 00:25 Mixing post-rock modernism with jazz and electronica, Tortoise (QRO live review) are part of Chicago’s large instrumentalist community (such as labelmates The Sea and Cake – QRO live review – with whom they share drummer John McEntire). At once experimental and yet relaxed, they’re sort of a twenty-first century version of progressive rock.
Freddie Gibbs, 21:20 – 22:10 Originally from Gary, Indiana (QRO photos in Middle America – hey, that’s the same hometown as the Jackson clan…), Freddie Gibbs (QRO photos at an NYC festival) has been compared to none other than Tupac Shakur – and even got shot at outside of Rough Trade NYC (QRO venue review) to boot!
Also: Neil Michael Hagerty & The Howling Hex, 19:20 – 20:10 White Fence, 17:40 – 18:25 – QRO photos at a festival
Ray-Ban Stage Maceo Plex, 04:00 – 06:00 Ibiza regular Eric Estornel, a.k.a. Maceo Plex, closes out this night at the Ray-Ban Stage (and later at Primavera goes b2b with Maars).
The Avalanches, 02:50 – 03:50 Australia’s electronic plunderphonic group The Avalanches had a hit with debut Since I Left You in 2000, and we’re still waiting for the follow-up. They play twice at Primavera Sound ’16.
Animal Collective, 00:35 – 01:35 Amongst the main highly praised experimental acts at Primavera, none is more highly praised or as experimental as Animal Collective (QRO photos at a festival). 2009’s Merriweather Post Pavilion (QRO review) got the kind of praise that makes one sick of a band (though it was certainly an improvement on their prior release, Strawberry Jam), and though 2012’s Centipede Hz was called a bit of a repeat by some (QRO review), this year’s Painting With (QRO review) is a revived stance. By this time, the electronics-and-more collective is commonplace, but this Baltimore outfit (QRO photos) still rule the roost (QRO live review). Like a lot of electronica, however, they do struggle live outdoors (QRO photos outdoors at a festival), but should do better at night (QRO photos at a festival in the evening). They play Primavera for a fourth time.
Dinosaur Jr., 22:15 – 23:15 Back & better than ever is Dinosaur Jr. (QRO photos at a festival)! In the late eighties and early nineties, one of the biggest & best bands in the punk-grunge revolution was Dinosaur Jr. (QRO live review), combining a hippie-punk ethos (and artwork) with feedback-driven guitar from the legendary J Mascis (QRO solo album review). The trio (QRO live review) was also characterized by Mascis’ controlling tendencies, leading to the departure first of bassist Lou Barlow (QRO solo album review) for his Sebadoh (QRO live review) and eventually even beloved drummer Murph (QRO photos at a festival without Murph), with Mascis retiring the ‘Dinosaur Jr.’ moniker in 1997. But then the band reunited (QRO live review outdoors) – with original line-up! – to tour their re-release of old, Barlow-era records (QRO photos at a festival in St. LOUis). And they kept going (QRO photos at a festival), putting out three new records that are some of their best yet, Beyond (QRO review), Farm (QRO review), and I Bet On Sky (QRO review) – with more to come (QRO live review playing new material). So revel in the glory (QRO photos at a festival) that is Dinosaur Jr. (QRO photos), who know how to play festivals (QRO photos at a festival) – but bring your earplugs, because J’s ‘circle of amps’ is a force to be reckoned with (QRO photos at a festival), as they return to Primavera Sound. Also: Selda Bagan & Boom Pam, 20:15 – 21:15 Ben Watt Band feat. Bernard Butler, 18:30 – 19:15 Inspira, 17:00 – 17:35
Pitchfork Stage DJ Koze, 04:00 – 06:00 EVIAN CHRIST, 02:30 – 03:50 Holly Herndon, 01:00 – 02:00 Royal Headache, 23:35 – 00:30 Jay Rock, 22:15 – 23:10 NAO, 20:30 – 21:30 Moses Sumney, 19:00 – 20:00 Aliment, 17:30 – 18:25
Adidas Originals Stage Sheer Mag, 03:50 – 04:50 – QRO photos at a festival Shura, 02:05 – 03:05 Tangana, 00:40 – 01:35 Shellac, 23:15 – 00:15 – QRO photos at Primavera ’11 Cavern of Anti-Matter, 21:35 – 22:35 Steve Gunn, 20:05 – 21:05 Alex G, 18:55 – 19:40 – QRO photos at a festival Viva Belgrado, 17:45 – 18:30
Nightpro Stage Böira, 04:00 – 04:40 Altre Di B, 03:00 – 03:40 Methyl Ethel, 02:00 – 02:40 Merkabah, 01:00 – 01:40 Matilde Davoli, 00:00 – 00:40 Anam, 23:00 – 23:40 Tunacola, 22:00 – 22:40 Nuven, 21:00 – 21:40 Quarto Negro, 20:00 – 20:40 Mahmed, 19:00 – 19:40 Chicago Toys, 18:00 – 18:40 Oh Pep!, 17:00 – 17:40
Auditori Rockdelux Robert Forster, 20:45 – 21:45 Cabaret Voltaire, 19:15 – 20:15 Richard Dawson, 17:30 – 18:30 Lubomyr Melnyk, 16:00 – 17:00
Heineken Hidden Stage Lush, 19:30 – 20:30 The two biggest sounds in Britain in the nineties were shoegaze and Britpop, and crossing both genres were Lush. They may have disbanded before the decade closed, but have recently reunited with their first new material in twenty years, Blind Spot EP. Also: Los Hermanos Cubero, 17:00 – 17:45
Bowers & Wilkins Sound System Tiger & Woods, 03:45 – 05:30 Secretive dance duo Tiger & Woods state, “We love loops.”
Also: The Maghreban, 02:00 – 03:45 Black Devil Disco Club, 01:00 – 02:00 Daniel Kyo, 23:30 – 01:00 SOPHIE, 22:30 – 23:30 Begun, 21:30 – 22:30 DJ Koze, 20:00 – 21:30 Black Lips (DJ set), 19:00 – 20:00 – QRO live review Bradford Cox, 18:00 – 19:00 – QRO live review DJ Supermarkt, 17:00 – 18:00 Maceo Plex b2b Maars, 16:00 – 17:00 Simian Mobile Disco (DJ set), 15:00 – 16:00 – QRO live review Mano le Tough, 13:30 – 15:00 Scharre, 12:00 – 13:30
Martini C+C=Maxigross, 15:00 – 15:30 Julien Baker, 14:00 – 14:30 Cala Vento, 13:00 – 13:30 Baywaves, 12:00 – 12:30
Sala Teatre Andy Shauf, 15:30 – 16:00 Cass McCombs, 14:30 – 15:00 – QRO photos outdoors Shinkiro, 13:30 – 14:00 Big Summer, 12:30 – 13:00
Daypro Jay Cubed, 17:40 – 18:10 DTSQ, 16:50 – 17:20 Dead Buttons, 16:00 – 16:30 Wedance, 15:10 – 15:40 Moonchild Sanelly, 14:20 – 14:50 Chicago Toys, 13:30 – 14:00 Tunacola, 12:40 – 13:10 Matilde Davoli, 11:50 – 12:20 Anam, 11:00 – 11:30

SATURDAY, JUNE 4th

Ray-Ban Unplugged Stage The Meanies, 22:30 – 23:05 Money For Rope, 21:00 – 21:35 Mueran Humanos, 19:30 – 20:05 Die Katapult, 18:00 – 18:35
Firestone Stage Cass McCombs, 16:25 – 16:55 Alt-musician Cass McCombs (QRO photos outdoors) defies easy categorization, and plays three times at Primavera ’16.
Heineken Stage Moderat, 01:40 – 03:00 Berlin’s Sascha Ring, a.k.a. Apparat (QRO live review), has already had success (including appearing at Primavera Sound in 2013 – QRO photos), but gets even better when teamed up with Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary, a.k.a. Modeselektor, as electronic super-group Moderat (QRO live review). They come to Primavera Sound (QRO live review in Europe) for a third time.
PJ Harvey, 22:35 – 23:50 Acclaimed English singer/songwriter Polly Jean ‘PJ’ Harvey (QRO photos at a festival) has been making music for over two decades now, adding more rock to sound with 2011’s Let England Shake (QRO review), but still has the unique live show (QRO photos), like at Primavera ’11 (QRO photos at a festival). She comes back to the festival with this year’s Hope Six Demolition Project.
Brian Wilson, 20:00 – 21:15 Brian Wilson (QRO photos) is arguably the greatest creator of popular music since rock found roll. Frontman for the iconic Beach Boys, he made pop hits in the sixties while innovating unorthodox composition, arrangement, and recording techniques. His pinnacle was 1966’s Pet Sounds, and his collapse making follow-up Smile is one of the seminal rock stories, overwork and the highest of follow-up pressure leading to deteriorating mental health, with which Wilson retreated from The Beach Boys. More recently, Wilson (QRO photos) recovered and even faced down Smile, with Grammy wins for both 2004’s Brian Wilson Presents Smile and 2011’s The Smile Sessions, for a record that even unfinished was an inspiration for indie music and post-punk. For Primavera, Wilson comes playing Pet Sounds, considered one of the greatest albums ever made.
Wild Nothing, 18:00 – 18:45 Sun-soaked, fuzzy, dream pop that should go well with a sun-soaked festival. Wild Nothing (QRO live review) is Jack Tatum’s wonderful solo project (QRO live review), and with Nocturne (QRO review) and this year’s Life of Pause (QRO review), the follow-up to his wonderful first album Gemini (QRO album review), there’s sure to be plenty of new music afoot (QRO photos at a festival).
H&M Stage Sigur Rós, 00:00 – 01:30 Hands down, Sigur Rós (QRO live review) is one of the best bands to come out of the ‘90s. Few acts have emerged from that decade and been able to maintain even a career, let alone the longevity with grace and style that has been demonstrated by these boys from Iceland (QRO photos from literally the other side of the globe from Iceland). Maybe that’s the big secret: they aren’t from America (QRO photos at a non-American festival). Their music is the definition of beauty and 2012’s album Valtari (QRO review) was absolutely no exception. It was their first in four years, after people thought that the band was finished, the next year they had their follow-up, Kveikur (QRO review). With their share of some of the best and most affecting music of their time, and a live show fuelled by a newfound vigor, Sigur Rós (QRO photos outdoors) is set to deliver one of the best performances of the festival.
Deerhunter, 21:25 – 22:25 No one was more prolific in 2008 than Deerhunter’s singer/guitarist Bradford Cox (QRO live review), who not only put out the well-received Microcastle (QRO review), but also included a second disc of all-original bonus material, Weird Era Cont. (QRO review) – and oh, yeah, released a solo record (as Atlas Sound – QRO live review), Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel (QRO review) that beat ‘em both. And, after a hiatus & Atlas Sound’s Logos (QRO review), 2011 saw Deerhunter (QRO photos outdoors) reach even higher thanks to Halcyon Digest (QRO review) – and in 2013 they followed it up with Monomania (QRO review), a more garage-rock record – and show (QRO photos at a festival), including at festivals (QRO photos at a festival). Known for electric shows whether as the Sound (QRO live review) or with Deerhunter (QRO live review outdoors), Cox & Deerhunter (QRO photos outdoors) have been as prolific with the festivals (QRO photos at a festival). They play Primavera Sound for a fourth time after last year’s Fading Frontier (QRO review), and Cox performs solo as well. Also: Manel, 18:55 – 19:50
Primavera Stage Ty Segall & The Muggers, 01:50 – 02:45 California’s Ty Segall (QRO photos at a festival) has evolved from his ‘kick in the pants’ early work to a more effortless boot to the fanny these days (QRO photos), where he’s been quite prolific, including 2012’s Slaughterhouse (QRO review), plus 2013’s Sleeper, 2014’s Manipulator, and this year’s Emotional Mugger with his new band, The Muggers, not to mention solo albums & team-ups. And now he comes back to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera ’14) for two appearances.
Action Bronson, 23:45 – 00:45 From Flushing, Queens, Action Bronson moved from gourmet chef to rapper with panache on his 2014 major label debut, Mr. Wonderful. He still keeps his hand in the foodie game thanks to a VICE television show, though recently has been dogged by his controversial lyrics.
Drive Like Jehu, 21:35 – 22:35 San Diego post-hardcore act Drive Like Jehu established a cult following, but broke up too soon, so thankfully they reunited in 2014.
Autolux, 19:30 – 20:20 Mixing post-punk, electronica, and krautrock has been the twenty-first century’s Autolux, who return to Primavera Sound.
Boredoms, 17:40 – 18:35 While Osaka’s Boredoms (QRO photos at a festival) may be the quintessential Japanese noise-rock outfit, they’ve taken the sound to whole new levels in their thirty years of existence.
Ray-Ban Stage DJ Coco, 04:00 – 06:00 DJ Coco returns to Primavera Sound for a sixth year in a row, to once again close out the Ray-Ban Stage.
Pantha du Prince, 02:50 – 03:50 German producer/composer/conceptual artist Hendrik Weber comes to Primavera Sound as Pantha du Prince.
Julia Holter, 00:50 – 01:45 Presenting her latest work, Have You In My Wilderness, an unconventional yet precious mix of tunes and images, Primavera Sound is the ideal place to enjoy the dreamy nature of the American songwriter Julia Holter (QRO photos). Also: Orchestra Baobab, 22:45 – 23:40 Richard Hawley, 20:30 – 21:30 The Chills, 18:40 – 19:25 Joana Serrat, 17:00 – 17:35
Pitchfork Stage DJ Richard, 04:00 – 06:00 Roosevelt, 02:35 – 03:45 Parquet Courts, 01:00 – 02:00 Bringing grunge back has been the active Parquet Courts (QRO photos at a festival), who come to Primavera Sound off of this year’s Human Performance.
Chairlift, 23:30 – 00:30 Though born in Boulder, Chairlift (QRO photos outdoors) came of age in – where else? – Brooklyn (QRO photos in Brooklyn). They (QRO photos at a festival) broke through with the sweet “Bruises”, though since the departure of singer/guitarist Aaron Pfenning for his own Rewards (QRO photos), the now-duo (QRO photos at a festival) went for a spookier sound on 2012’s Something (QRO review), but brighter this year with Moth.
Pusha T, 22:00 – 23:00 Pusha T (QRO photos at a festival) began as one-half of Clipse with his brother No Malice, but has since headed out on his own, signing to Kanye’s GOOD Music and releasing his debut My Name Is My Name in 2013.
Jenny Hval, 20:30 – 21:30 Norway’s Jenny Hval moved from gothic metal early on to today’s avant-garde art-pop.
DâM-FunK, 19:00 – 20:00 Pasadena funk singer/DJ DâM-FunK (QRO photos outdoors) threw down five full-lengths worth of new material in 2010, edited and compiled into double-disc Toeachizown, and comes to Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival) after last year’s Invite the Light. Also: The Saurs, 17:30 – 18:25
Adidas Originals Stage Islam Chipsy & EEK, 03:50 – 05:00 Ho99o9, 02:15 – 03:15 Unsane, 00:45 – 01:45 Venom, 23:05 – 00:05 Los Chichos, 21:35 – 22:35 PXXR GVNG, 20:05 – 21:05 U.S. Girls, 18:55 – 19:40 – QRO photos Pájaro Jack, 17:45 – 18:30
Nightpro Stage Water Rats, 04:00 – 04:40 The Meanies, 03:00 – 03:40 Los Outsaiders, 02:00 – 02:40 Money For Rope, 01:00 – 01:40 Sun Glitters, 23:00 – 23:40 Wolves As Friends, 22:00 – 22:40 Sycamore Age, 21:00 – 21:40 Kanaku y El Tigre, 20:00 – 20:40 Gala Brie, 19:00 – 19:40 Aldo the Band, 18:00 – 18:40 Planeta No, 17:00 – 17:40
Auditori Rockdelux Current 93, 20:15 – 21:45 Angel Witch, 18:45 – 19:45 Six Organs of Admittance, 17:15 – 18:00 Baby Dee, 16:00 – 16:45
Heineken Hidden Stage Cat’s Eyes, 19:30 – 20:30 Faris Badwan of The Horrors (QRO live review), in addition to playing solo at Primavera Sound, also brings his new duo with Italian soprano multi-instrumentalist Rachel Zeffira, Cat’s Eyes, to the fest.
Bob Mould, 17:00 – 17:45 Few even at Primavera Sound (QRO photos at a festival) have been doing it as long as Bob Mould (QRO live review). From the seminal Hüsker Dü (QRO spotlight on) in the eighties through the nineties’ successful Sugar (QRO deluxe edition review) to his solo work and today’s Bob Mould Band (QRO live review), Mould has been crafting great record after great record, most recently with 2008’s District Line (QRO review), the following year’s Life and Times (QRO review), 2012’s Silver Age (QRO review), 2014’s Beauty & Ruin (QRO review), and this year’s Patch the Sky (QRO review). In 2012 he toured playing Sugar’s amazing Copper Blue (QRO live review) for its twentieth anniversary, but comes back to Primavera Sound (QRO photos a festival) with his whole impressive discography in tow (QRO live review). He plays twice at Primavera Sound on Saturday, solo electric at the Heineken Hidden Stage.
Bowers & Wilkins Sound System Disco Finale, 04:00 – 05:30 I-F, 02:30 – 04:00 Dorisburg, 01:30 – 02:30 Lena Willikens, 00:00 – 01:30 Cleveland, 23:00 – 00:00 Daniel Baughman, 21:30 – 23:00 DJ Richard, 20:30 – 21:30 Suzanne Kraft, 19:00 – 20:30 Dave P, 18:00 – 19:00 Faris Badwan, 17:00 – 18:00 Trevor Jackson, 16:00 – 17:00 Leon Vynehall, 14:30 – 16:00 Matthew Dear, 13:00 – 14:30 – QRO photos Bob Mould, 12:00 – 13:00 – QRO live review
Minimúsica Minimúsica, 18:00
Mantini Robert Forster, 15:00 – 15:30 A.R. Kane, 14:00 – 14:30 Die Katapult, 13:00 – 13:30 My Expansive Awareness, 12:00 – 12:30
Sala Teatre Old King Cole Younger, 15:30 – 16:00 Alex G, 14:30 – 15:00 – QRO photos at a festival Pumuky, 13:30 – 14:00 Invisible Harvey, 12:30 – 13:00
Daypro Badlands, 17:40 – 18:10 Sycamore Age, 16:50 – 17:20 Altre Di B, 16:00 – 16:30 Matilde Davoli, 15:10 – 15:40 Sun Glitters, 14:20 – 14:50 Odd Cherry Pie, 13:30 – 14:00 Mahmed, 12:40 – 13:10 Nuven, 11:50 – 12:20 Quarto Negro, 11:00 – 11:30

SUNDAY, JUNE 5th

Martini Black Lips, 21:00 – 22:00 A band better known for their live show than their records, that’s not just because of the relatively unimpressive recorded material like 2010’s 200 Million Thousand (QRO review) or 2011’s Arabia Mountain (QRO review), but also due to their crazy mishmash of genres and styles on stage (QRO live review). Atlanta’s The Black Lips’ wild live show includes everything from nudity to fireworks – and live animals (QRO photos at a festival). Barcelona should hopefully let the boys let ‘er rip (QRO photos outdoors), but be rest assured their rabidly loyal fan base will still be crying out for more (QRO photos outdoors at a festival), as they come back to Primavera (QRO photos at Primavera ’12) behind last year’s better Underneath the Rainbow (QRO review). They also do a DJ set earlier at Primavera.
Mudhoney, 19:30 – 20:30 Both a forerunner to and a member of the Pacific Northwest grunge breakout of the early nineties, Seattle’s Mudhoney (QRO photos at a festival) perhaps embodied the dirty, high-distortion sound even more than Nirvana. More importantly, Mudhoney never stopped, becoming a veteran many times over, and only in 2013 released their ninth studio album, Vanishing Point.
Bradford Cox, 18:00 – 19:00 Bradford Cox, main man behind both Deerhunter (who also play Primavera Sound) and Atlas Sound (QRO live review) comes solo (QRO solo live review) on the final day of the festival. Also: Downtown Boys, 16:40 – 17:20 Power Burkas, 15:15 – 16:00 Twin Drama, 13:45 – 14:30
Sala Teatre Bearoid, 20:30 – 21:00 The Handclappers, 19:00 – 19:30 Esperit!, 17:20 – 18:00 Pacosan, 16:00 – 16:40 Ran Ran Ran, 14:30 – 15:15 Redthread, 13:00 – 13:45
Daypro Water Rats, 20:30 – 21:00 Inky, 19:00 – 19:30 O Terno, 17:30 – 18:00 Aldo the Band, 16:00 – 16:30 Altre Di B, 14:30 – 15:00 Sycamore Age, 13:00 – 13:30
Apolo Venue Dave P, 02:35 – 05:00 The Avalanches, 01:05 – 02:35 Ty Segall & The Muggers, 00:00 – 01:00 – QRO album review Univers, 23:00 – 23:40 Siberian Wolves, 22:00 – 22:40
La [2] de Apolo Wind Atlas, 00:00 – 00:45 +++, 23:00 – 23:45 Cadena, 22:15 – 22:45

For festival website, go here: http://www.primaverasound.es/index