Sonar Festival 2010 Diary
Sónar diares
Some events just dig into your memory without you noticed it. Thats typical example of Barcelona’s Sónar. But this year was a little bit different for me from last year. I decided to visit just one day of Sónar (yes, of course the night with Plastikman), because – as I presume – you know about lots and lots great Off Sónar parties. So, life is change, right?
Please this time, don’t expect any deep analysis of mixing, tracks, technics, etc.. This is a little bit different review :o) grab some good coffee, take a comfortable seat and feel free to enjoy the fading of some highlights of Sónar time…
Day first – stop at Hawtin’s bakery & visit Gaudi’s house
Very good news from Minus came shortly before beginning of Sónar weekend. Minus team prepared for this year a very special event, called Minus Ghost space /first party stop/. It was a nice place with great coffee, tasty bakery and furthemore – close to La Rambla (bouncy city centre’s street). During 3 days you could hear almost every member of Minus family! Or if you are interested in fresh news from technology – you could participate in Richie’s presentations. During first day there was just one name for me – Marc Houle. Unfortunatelly, I didn’t have any chance to listen to him at some small place till now. It was splendid! Typical crazy and bizzare sounds with huge bass. The crowd gave appropriately indicated that he liked it. But unforutanely for us, Minus Ghost space was opened every day „just“ till 10pm. Well, time to move to other party!
One advice, my dear readers, when you are going to Barcelona, take more days for this trip. Really. This city is so magic and artistic, it’s not just about partying for all your time there. Of course, there could be some good options how to connect the visit of some Gaudi’s architecture masterpiece and party – like party called Music Monsta /second party stop for that evening/. It was actually pretty private party and we had to really make and effort and be nice for letting us in :o) But we got an incredible chance to see Gaudi’s piece called Casa Vicenc which hasn’t never open to public. Party took place at underground facilities – and that’s actually the right word, underground. What an atmosphere! I can say, I’ve never seen something like this before. It was like watching on Human Traffic movie in real. Artist’s line up included names from well known labels – such as Circus Company, The Gym, Splendid Lo-fi, Resopal Schallware, Terpsichóre and Dubhe recordings. And what was kind of peculiar? When you left Casa Vicenc and got on the street, there was totally silence and you wouldn’t say what wilderness is happening just under this building! Like I said, true underground. Bravo!
Day two – tonight is the night!
I have to admit, I felt some strange chills when I just think about Plastikman’s comeback. I can understand that for some people it can be boring (I met people like this, really) and they consider it for wasting of time, even saying that Richie just doesn’t know what to do else, so thats the reason why he „refresh“ Plastikman project. Well, for me its different, actually really exciting! But before leaving to Sónar by Night, there was neccessary stop for coffee and cake at Minus Ghost Space again. That day you could met all Hawtin family! And cakes were really special ones – as Richie wrote at facebook, baked by his mummy! :o) Just came into party space during last track of Paco Osuna, very good one. Then started playing Ambivalent, his set has good moments, but also some little bit monotonous. Crowd wasn’t too big at that time, but when Gaiser has come about hour later, you already couldn’t move almost! Gaiser was definitely my hero for the second night, amazing set! But couldn’t stay longer, Sónar’s night was approaching so quickly…
It’s about midnight and i’m approaching to Sónar bus stations. Of course, already watching lots people and pretty long queues. No worries, saying to myself, its gonna be fast like last year. Well, I was right, but unlike last year, I was almost trampled by crowd when bus has come. There wasn’t any guide man this year, who watch out for people. 20minutes later, finally in the bus! Arriving to Sónar’s area about 0.30am and running for Air. Unfortunately, I caught only last song. But despite that fact, I think it had to be spectacular show with really good visual show. So, let’s move and look around! Coming to another stage, and again – just last song of Hot Chip. Night is not so hot like last year, but audio system sound is just outstanding (as usually at Sónar, very professional). Magda is starting slowly, but the rhythm gradually culminates and we are starting to be little bit impatient for Plastikman’s show…
About 2am curtain disappears, and we can see led lights wall. But where is Plastikman?! Huh, very clever – hiden behind that wall with all his machines! I’m standing little bit higher than others and just watching the incredible tension that permeates throught the crowd. Lots camera’s lights, everyone just wants to catch at least part of this incredible moments. And Plastikman is starting his epic journey, which is full of weird and kind of old techno sounds – but we can’t move or leave it, it’s magic. Led light’s wall presents (again) very good work of Ali Demirel (already worked on Contact visuals). It’s not just minimalistic (like Contact was), but this time very colorful and bouncy. I’m looking around and lots people have their iPhones in hands, so I’m asking one of them, what’s up? And receiving simple answer: we are with Plastikman! For making it clear – there was an option to connect to Plastikman’s wifi site and posibility to watch cues (meaning when start one track and begin another one) or bpm for example. Welcome to new time of audience interactivity!
Time to rest and return to the reality. Chilling close to dubstep area, which was also full of great names, such as Flying Lotus, Joy Orbison or Mary Anne Hobbs. Unfortunately, this sound is still not my cup of tea, so slowly going back to stage for Booka Shade’s morning live act. Saw them once before and thought that they couldn’t prepare any suprise for me. But they did it! This time, they were so happy and enthusiasm from them was like an aphrodisiac for the crowd. Am I already in heaven?
Day three: Marionette never dies!
Chilling day. Can’t feel my legs already, and we are just in the half of partying. It’s challenging. This day is dedicated to Wagon Repair/Cynosure at legendary Barcelona’s Moog Club. I’ve heard some great things about that place, but also that its usually little bit overcrowded… well then, its true. And in fact, it’s the reason, why I left club so early. But back to begining of the night. Arrived as usually about midnight, just when club was opening. Mathew Jonson personally hanging around club and enjoying drink. Dollz At Play just started to warming up first visitors and atmosphere slowly increased. But about 3am real master started… All that familiar great sounds, which are so typical for him! I just stood and listened, because every move was getting harder and harder, so many people around! That could be a good party, but maybe with less people… nevermind. We had a great chance to listen beautiful Marionette live and that counts, right?
Day four: where is my swimsuit?
I think I deserve little break after 3 days nonstop partying. So, getting up early, packing sunbath cream and here we go for roof/pool party at hotel B, close to Plaza Espanya. Advise no.2, when you are going to this kind of parties – come early! You have no idea, how long could be the queue later… But I came just in time. For paying just 10euros I got a great view on the city from pool. And what a music! Just follow the line up, that included names such as Kollektiv Turmstrasse, Tigerskin, And.ID, Till Von Sein and many more. It was totally amazing all day long tech/house journey on perfect sound, with cool Mojito and kind people… i think that remains to say just one thing: I love you, Barcelona!
I hope that was a good teaser for you, our dear readers, and we will meet at some party next year! Trust me, its worth it… Enjoy the summer!
Text & Images by Simona Hypsová
watch HD videos by Video.DJTALMEDIA.com – SÓNAR TV
www.c-heads.com/sonar/sonarbynightfriday.mov