Primavera Sound Festival 2025

With just a few weeks to go before the event kicks off, here's a bit of guidance to help you navigate the sprawling line-up of the 2025 edition of the Primavera Sound Festival, taking place at the Parc del Forum in Barcelona during the first week of June. This is also an attempt to push back against the increasingly widespread feeling that Primavera Sound is turning, year after year, into a more pop-oriented festival, geared ever more towards younger generations, a sort of "European Coachella". Sure, if we limited our view to the three headliners splashed in giant letters at the top of the poster, that impression might hold up, but digging down into the smallest print of the line-up, it's clear the Spanish event (followed the week after by the more intimate Porto edition) still holds on to all of its many souls.

Rock is well represented, catering to every taste, from legendary names to hugely promising newcomers, with even a few forays into metal territory; the avant-garde is very much present too, especially around the world of electronic music; alt-country and folk boast some heavyweight names; and the indie scene is solidly represented. We've picked out a number of artists/bands, paired up, to sketch out (in case it's needed) some possible routes to follow through the festival: it would be a shame to overlook a string of acts that really shouldn't go unnoticed. If you've already got your ticket and you're not a fan of Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX, rest easy: there are plenty of other artists to admire, and many more to discover. Not to mention the fact that a last-minute surprise could always crop up: Primavera Sound keeps its audience loyal partly by dropping unexpected twists, even once the week is already under way…

Been Stellar + julie

Let's start with the two most interesting and promising new bands from the 2024 alt-rock scene. Both American, but hailing from opposite coasts (New York for the first, California for the second), each backed by a debut album that hasn't gone unnoticed among fans who keep a close eye on the goings-on of the underground circuit. Been Stellar and julie (the band themselves like to spell it all in lowercase) help bring to Primavera Sound 2025 that dose of guitars — along with clear nineties influences — that detractors claim is getting harder and harder to find on a line-up they accuse of turning more and more pop with each passing year.

In fact, if we shuffled the order of names on the poster, we could arrive at many possible ideal Primaveras, each quite different from the others. Beyond the three super-pop headliners, placed there with the reasonable aim of hitting sold-out status as quickly as possible (and turning a profit, since at the end of the day a festival also has to hit its revenue targets), it's not hard to spot plenty of unmistakably rock-leaning acts just below them. Alongside Been Stellar and julie, make a note of Momma and High Vis, both also on a promising rise. But we'll get back to talking about rock and guitars a little further down.

Chappell Roan + Charli XCX

It's impossible not to talk about Chappell Roan and Charli XCX, two of the biggest stars of the 2025 line-up: and what stars they are! Together with Sabrina Carpenter, the third super-headliner of this edition, they make up the trio of mainstream artists currently dominating global attention, sweeping up awards left and right. Even if you couldn't care less about pop matters, seeing them on the main stages now should be viewed as an opportunity, not a misfortune. The real draw, the one everyone wants to see, is undoubtedly Chappell Roan: a Grammy for "Best New Artist", two Brit Awards just won, one album to her name so far – "The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess" – which slowly made its way, winning over both audiences and critics, a second record on the way, preceded by a new single ("The Giver") released just these past few days, and her high-energy performances have so far lived up to expectations.

Charli XCX already played at Parc del Forum last year, just days before the release of "Brat", the album that changed her life and established itself as one of the defining works of 2024 as a whole. The East London artist returns this time with "Sweat", a show shared with Troye Sivan.

Other highly-rated artists who deserve not to go unnoticed at the next Primavera include Clairo, Cassandra Jenkins, Kali Malone, Julie Byrne, Kate Bollinger, Wet Leg, Cat Power (who will be performing Dylan songs) and Haim, who will be riding the wave of cinematic success achieved by Alana (one of the three sisters in the band) as the star of the hit film "Licorice Pizza".

Turnstile + Chat Pile

But, as promised, let's get back to guitars, with the sounds of two more bands set to reignite the interest of those who don't go to Primavera Sound for the pop side of things. Turnstile return after their acclaimed set two years ago, which sparked comparisons even with Rage Against The Machine, and should be unveiling a new record; Chat Pile arrive in full force, amps cranked to the max, riding the momentum of the recent "Cool World", a successful crossbreed of noise-rock and sludge-metal. For metal fans on the black metal side, it's worth flagging the presence of America's Midnight in the line-up, while on the post-hardcore front, don't miss Gouge Away and the revived Cap'n'Jazz.

If you prefer more sprawling rhythms, leaning toward certain post-rock experiments, you could check out Still House Plants, while Dehd lean decidedly more indie. To fill out a few slots there are also – as usual – numerous Spanish rock bands, which we Italians tend to pay little attention to: among the most interesting, make a note of Carolina Durante, Heal, Kokoshca and Tetas Frias. So rest assured: it will certainly be possible to map out a rock-oriented route again this year across the stages of Primavera Sound.

Fontaines D.C. + Idles

On this rock-oriented route, there's no way around the two biggest names of the recent, umpteenth post-punk resurgence. Fontaines D.C. and Idles, if you reshuffled the names on the bill, could easily sit right up there among the headliners: the fact that they're placed (for commercial reasons?) a line lower doesn't mean they're not there in spirit, and they'll make their presence felt on the two main stages of this edition. Both bands have already shaken up the festival in the past, they're among the favorites of the crowd that has historically frequented Parc del Forum, and they arrive this time with records that have further cemented their respective followings, "Romance" and "Tangk".

Hastily lumped in with the post-punk scene, but in reality increasingly distant from that shapeless catch-all, Squid and Black Country, New Road are also highly anticipated. Among the lesser-known names, but certainly capable of putting on an entertaining set, we'd point to The Dare, with one album to their name released in 2024, "What's Wrong With New York?", which places them somewhere between Franz Ferdinand and Yard Act.

Jamie XX + Floating Points

Once upon a time there was the Bits area, a section of Primavera Sound devoted mainly to electro sets, opening directly onto the beach. Today the Bits area no longer exists, but over time electronic music has started taking over the bigger stages as well, alongside dedicated spaces like the packed-out Boiler Room. Among the standout names from the international electronic scene this year are Jamie XX and Floating Points, the minds behind two excellent records that last year helped put the dancefloor back at the center of the conversation: "In Waves" and "Cascade".

But they certainly won't be alone: other heavy hitters on the bill include Kelly Lee Owens, Amelie Lens, Caribou (the main draw of Wednesday night), Brutalismus 3000, Armand Van Helden, plus the many DJs who will take turns behind the decks until the first light of dawn. Also keep an eye out for the electro-rock of America's Fcukers and Machine Girl, the electro-ambient of Moritz Von Oswald, and the presence of more experimental acts like Salem and Sideproject.

Geared toward dancing, though less essential, are the offerings of many Spanish, Caribbean and Latin American artists, who are more or less playing on home turf in Barcelona, spanning latin-pop and reggaeton sounds, as well as the usual hip-hop contingent, whose headline name this year is Central Cee.

Spiritualized + LCD Soundsystem

Primavera Sound's mission is to look firmly to the future and highlight new trends, but without ever forgetting its own history. The older segment of the crowd asks for a few evergreens, and in 2025 they'll get their wish once again. Spiritualized return to the Parc del Forum after their acclaimed 2018 show at the Auditorium, backed by strings and choir, remembered as one of the most moving concerts in the Festival's entire history: this time they'll play their second album, "Pure Phase", released in 1995, in full. LCD Soundsystem, meanwhile, will deliver a career-spanning excursus.

They won't be the only heritage names beloved by Primavera regulars: Jesus Lizard, Stereolab and TV On The Radio are all top-tier musts not to be missed. Anohni is also expected to make a mark, and everyone anticipates her being a highlight right there at the Auditorium, following her convincing 2023 return with the album "My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross".

MJ Lenderman + Alan Sparhawk

Two guitarists who made their names with their respective bands, Wednesday and Low, both now busy building credible solo careers. MJ Lenderman already has several releases outside his main band under his belt, and the recent "Manning Fireworks" has firmly thrust him into the spotlight; Alan Sparhawk, on the other hand, following the death of his wife Mimi Parker, is attempting to reinvent himself in a strongly experimental guise, in line - if you will - with Low's last two albums, "Double Negative" and "Hey What".

There's a lot of anticipation and curiosity about how the songs from "White Roses, My God" will translate live. Lenderman last played Primavera Sound two years ago with Wednesday, but he's recently stated that he'll no longer be part of the band's live line-up: going forward he'll only work with them in the studio.

At the 2022 edition, Alan Sparhawk performed twice in two days alongside Low, with an intensity so striking it remains indelibly etched in the memory of those who were there: and it will forever stand as Low's last appearance at the Festival. There are other musicians who've forged their own artistic path outside the bands in which they made their name: Destroyer, alongside his illustrious shared past with New Pornographers, and Kim Deal, making her solo debut after being the iconic bassist of Pixies and the leader of Breeders: this year they'll both be at Primavera Sound too, as will the English act Sabres Of Paradise, who return to action after losing a key member, Andrew Weatherall, to offer up their psych-house sound, closely akin to "Screamadelica", the masterpiece by Primal Scream.

Beabadoobee + Waxahatchee

No longer newcomers and still very much on the rise, Beabadoobee and Waxahatchee are two of the most eagerly awaited names at Primavera Sound 2025. The former indie-pop, the latter alt-country, both front bands that share their own stage name. Both are still touring behind a recent album that ranks among the best of their respective careers, "This Is How Tomorrow Moves" and "Tigers Blood".

Also worth noting from the indie scene are the appearances of Horsegirl, Magdalena Bay, This Is Lorelei, Los Campesinos!, Feeble Little Horse and the lesser-known Dutch act Tramhaus.

Beach House + Hard Quartet

They don't have much in common, but Beach House and Hard Quartet are two acts that would make any OndaRock reader's mouth water. There's little left to say about Beach House: for many years now they've been an institution of the global independent scene, with their instantly recognizable dream-pop and the iconic silhouettes of Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally ready to emerge from the half-light. The Beach House show will be a fan-voted greatest hits set, with fans able to vote on the duo's website for the songs they want to hear.

Hard Quartet, on the other hand, is the latest brainchild of Stephen Malkmus, frontman of Pavement, who this time has put together a project alongside Matt Sweeney (formerly of Chavez, Superwolf and Zwan), Emmett Kelly (Cairo Gang, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Ty Segall) and Jim White (Dirty Three, Beings). The self-titled debut album has been very warmly received, and a few days ago the band unveiled two new songs. This is probably not a one-off experiment.

FKA Twigs + Sturgill Simpson

Our roundup closes with two completely different artists. FKA Twigs has delivered one of the best records of 2025 so far, "Eusexua", an album that oozes contemporaneity while still leaning heavily on Nineties influences.

Sturgill Simpson, on the other hand, is one of the most important names on today's country scene, though his is a country that doesn't look solely to tradition, but rather seeks to blend in less conventional flavors, even if not too revolutionary for the genre. Mile-long solos and rock'n'roll detours are essential ingredients of his stylistic mix, confirmed on the recent "Passage du Desir", released under the name Johnny Blue Skies.

We close out this special with a little game: for each day of the Festival we've listed what are currently (though they do change on an almost daily basis) the ten priorities, plus another ten names a day currently sitting on the bench, ready to step in when needed, jostling for a spot. Everyone can put together their own lineup, their own path, fingers crossed against the ever-present risk of overlapping sets, which will only become clear in early May, when Primavera Sound's organizers release the official set times.

Thursday, June 5

FKA TWIGS

CHARLI XCX

BEEN STELLAR

Julie

Idles

Spiritualized

Beabadoobee

Jamie XX

Kelly Lee Owens

Cassandra Jenkins

+

Sturgill Simpson

Magdalena Bay

Momma

Nourished By Time

This Is Lorelei

The Dare

CMAT

Crystallness

Brutalismus 3000

Armand Van Helden

Friday, June 6

BEACH HOUSE

JESUS LIZARD

STEREOLAB

Floating Points

Gouge Away

Hard Quartet

Clairo

Waxahatchee

TV On The Radio

Sabrina Carpenter

+

Wet Leg

HAIM

Cat Power

Still House Plants

Chanel Beads

Amelie Lens

FCuckers

Feeble Little Horse

Julie Byrne

High Vis

Saturday, June 7

CHAPPELL ROAN

FONTAINES D.C.

TURNSTILE

MJ Lenderman

LCD Soundsystem

Chat Pile

Squid

Dehd

Horsegirl

Kim Deal

+

Alan Sparhawk

Anohni

Black Country, New Road

Cap 'n' Jazz

Destroyer

Los Campesinos!

Glass Beams

Joy Orbison

Frost Children

Machine Girl

Ride the wave of great music

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