The summer concert season is warming up, and I’m flying to Barcelona next week for a festival by the ocean. Primavera Sound 2025 will be kicking off in the Parc de Forum on June 5th, with additional shows booked around the city before and after the festival. Headliners (dubbed the “Powerpuff Girls of pop”) Chappell Roan, Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter top the list of an impressive 147 acts that will grace the stages over three days. The daily schedules released this last week, and already fans are having to make hard choices. Below are a selection of bands I’ll be exploring beyond the Revolut and Estrella Dam headliner stages.
Thursday, June 5th
Momma – Hailing from Brooklyn, Momma’s gritty, distorted indie rock channels raw garage energy and nostalgic hooks.
CMAT – What promises to be my toughest overlap of the festival, CMAT is bringing their dreamy Stevie Nicks-esque stage performance (being buzzed about in festival forums) to Barcelona at the same time as Momma.
Magdalena Bay – Magdalena Bay’s shimmering synth-pop paints scenes of neon dreams and digital-age wonder. It’s a picture I’m excited to see painted in their prime spot Thursday evening.
Parcels – The Australian five-piece ignites sunlit dancefloors with their carefree disco-funk. Their recent release “yougotmefeeling” has been playing nonstop in my house.
Friday, June 6th
Fcukers – Infectiously danceable house hits seem to pour forth from Fcukers, and they have picked up impressive bookings in a relatively-short lifespan as a band. I love disco-infused dancefloors, and I suspect their set won’t disappoint.
Wet Leg – Hailing from the UK, Wet Leg’s deadpan, campy lyrics like “If your mother worried? Would you like us to assign someone to worry your mother?” and indie rock energy seem perfect for a festival stage.
Amelia Lens – Amelie Lens’ relentless, driving techno promises to plunge crowds into a pulsating, hypnotic industrial trance.
Waxahatchee – Recently recording an ACL Live taping and making waves in the US Americana scene, Waxahatchee will bring a heartbreaking performance.
Saturday, June 7th
Aminé– This US rapper’s recent album release, with infectiously catchy songs “Arc De Triomphe” and “Vacay”, is perfectly themed and timed for a European vacation.
Dehd – It isn’t hard to imagine festival crowds swaying to Dehd’s longing ocean-rock. They’ll bring their Chicago indie sound to the sunset slot at Schwarzkopf on Saturday evening.
HorsegiirL – HorsegiirL puts on an incredibly high energy performance, with hardstyle EDM hits focused on her horse identity.
MJ Lenderman – If Chappell Roan (playing at the same time) isn’t your vibe, MJ Lenderman might be. Here’s hoping he brings out Waxahatchee for their recent collaboration.
If you plan at being at Primavera, reach out so we can connect in Barcelona. And, of course, let me know what acts I should catch at the festival!
