Preview: Primavera Sound 2008
By: Dan Monsell
This weekend sees the aural carnival that is Primavera Sound Festival 2008 come around once more for its annual three-day event, set on the sunny sands of Barcelona. And in amongst a dangerous density of summer festivities etching closer and closer to saturation point, there's no doubt that this one can definitely stake a claim one of the very best around.
This year boasts a few old timers like Devo, The Sonics, Public Enemy, Explosions in the Sky, in amongst some hot new(ish)bies like Vampire Weekend, MGMT, No Age, Animal Collective and Holy Fuck. The focus as usual is still very much on independent spirited artists usually positioned slightly out in the leftfield.
If that's the sort of thing that floats your boat, put simply: there just ain't that many other festivals out there can match what's going on it to Primavera. Plus, unlike like England's ATP (itself hosting their very own stage), it's out on the sunny continent, and runs all night rather than during the day.
Here's a choice selection of what look to be some of the highlights of the festival.
PORTISHEAD: In the wake of their superb new Third LP, these Bristolians will be playing not one but two sets over the weekend. Day one sees them on the main stage sandwiched between two titans of hip-hop, Public Enemy and De La Soul. Day Two sees them playing to an intimate auditorium audience who have to pay an extra 2 Euros for the pleasure. Um...how good is that going to be?
DEVO: For some people Primavera this year is just straight up ALL ABOUT DEVO. The pioneering new wave act haven't played too often in the last decade or so, but in the wake of loads of pesky kids doing their best to sound like they themselves did way back when, these American synth-n-rollers thought maybe it was time to stop scoring Wes Anderson films or making the Rugrats theme tune (true), and show who did it first.
NO AGE: Seeing as folk and noise pop are just so god damn hot right now, No Age's folk-infected noise-pop is therefore very much of said moment. Don't let you trick you into thinking they're some kind of throwaway trend, far from it, these is genuinely exciting modern music to get your teeth into it. We're sure as heck excited to see them.
SHELLAC: The self-described "minimalist rock trio" from Chicago also rather infrequently play these days. Its always a pleasure to have the sharp and biting wisdom of Steve Albini at any musical happening and Shellac's presence alongside the likes of Mission of Burma, Sebadoh, Dinosaur Jr, Stephen Malkmus and others demonstrates the festival's position as a haven for America's indie-rock royalty.
VAMPIRE WEEKEND: Just to highlight that it's not all about agit-rock and chin stroking crowds with black t-shirts (gosh, that'd be hot), the year's indie-pop breakthroughs are calling in to display their marvellous and joyous four-man party. These New Yorkers have gone from strength to strength in the last few months, and it will be interesting to see if the kids will still love 'em now their mums do too.
We'll have a comprehensive review in the days that follow...