It's almost that time again. Barcelona is transformed into a clubber's paradise, every bar, club, and hotel becoming the place to be, featuring the world's best and brightest in electronic, each showcasing their stuff to the world. But with a seemingly unlimited buffet of options happening From June 11th-15th, the prospect of narrowing down exactly where to lose yourself in the music can be a daunting one.
So we've selected a few of the best parties we think will be going off in style to help you along the way. With a few options each day, you should be able to pick and choose without losing your marbles in a sea of options. Because really, losing your marbles is Sonar's job...
Wednesday 11th June:
14:00 – 00:00
Loud & Contact presents Maeve Rave Barcelona: Featuring the likes of Mano Le Tough, Tale Of Us and Mathew Jonson Live, Maeve Rave kicks off-Sonar week in epic fashion inside El Monasterio of El Poble Espanyol. Billed as “A beautiful location at an old monastery overlooking Barcelona from the Poble Espanyol area,” a party here feels like a rave in an old castle, perfectly bringing you into the vibe for the big week in Barcelona.
12:00 – 00:00
My Favorite Robot Crossing Wires Showcase at ZT Hotel Villa Olympia: After a memorable beach party last year, My Favourite Robot Records returns to Barcelona, this year to the garden of the ZT Hotel. With the label’s 100th release just ahead of the party, and headliner Timo Mass’ “Crossing Wires” compilation releasing in June, there’s plenty for the MFR crew to be celebrating this year. Joining Mass will be Hunter/Game, Disc Over music’s Tim Green, and of course, My Favorite Robot. Daytime in Barcelona is all about open-air events, and ZT Hotel’s beautiful garden doesn't disappoint.
23:00 – 5:00
Underline & Elite Music Management present 20 Years of OVUM Recordings at Boulevard Culture Club: This has been our starting point for the last 2 years in a row, and celebrating 20 years of OVUM, they’ve stepped it up a notch, with a line-up that includes Ambivalent, KiNK, Steve Bug, Chymera, Luca Bacchetti, MANIK, Pezzner and more. Located just next o Las Ramblas, this all-nighter is right in the centre of the city, making for an easy stumble back to your hotel, or wherever the night takes you.
Thursday 12th June
14:00 – 05:00
Mobilee Pool Session (Day & Night) at FACT Music Pool Series: What’s better than an open air event in 30 plus degree heat? Open air parties with a massive pool that wraps around the main stage and a huge grass area with sunbeds back further, by god. Add to that a goliath line-up featuring Anja Schneider, Matthias Tanzmann, Rodriguez Jr. AND.ID, RE.YOU, Andrea Oliva and Igor Vincente, and a sound system that envelops the entire venue ensuring you don’t miss a beat, and the Mobilee Pool Session becomes an especially don’t miss event. And with Pool Series events running all week from FACT, you may just find yourself starting or ending the day here more than once – the perfect summer venue…
Mixmag
23:00 – 8:00
DIYNAMIC Showcase Barcelona at Teatre Principal: After a few incredible seasons in Ibiza, Solomun and his Diynamic brand have become synonymous with great parties, mostly because they’re just downright fun. He’s bringing the whole crew along for this one, including H.O.S.H., UNER, David August, Adriatique, Stimming, Kollektiv Turmstrasse, Karmon, NTFO, and DJ Phono, which is why tickets sold out weeks ago. Beg, borrow, steal (well, maybe don’t to anything illegal), but get yourself to Teatre Princepal and party with them on two floors in this beautiful picturesque old theater. Though don’t forget to check your ego at the door, ‘cause this is gonna be a night full of noting but dancing, smiles and incredible music.
23:00 – 6:00
Hot Creations presents Paradise at L'Atlantida Barcelona: Another Ibiza club night success story, Jamie Jones’ Hot Creations presents Paradise has been a must do night at DC-10 for the last two years. And along with a slew of festival headline sets and hit tracks, Jones returns to Barcelona with Hot Creations to the beautiful and exansive poolside venue at L'Atlantida with an absolute powerhouse line-up featuring Matthias Tanzmann, Deetron, Jimmy Edgar, Infinity Ink, Fur Coat, wAFF, Patrick Topping, Robert James and Russ Yallop. It’s nights like this that remind you why off-Sonar is one of the best weeks for dance music out there.
23:59 – 7:00
Klockworks Showcase at The One: Between Berghain resident and Klockworks label head Ben Klock, the grungy techno sounds of DVS1 and Ryan Elliot, and visuals provided by VJ Heleen Blanken, rest assured you’ll have a little slice of dark, gritty Berlin in summertime Barcelona. For those that like it bit harder.
Friday 13th June
12:00 – 1:00
Crew Love presents Wolf + Lamb and Soul Clap at Parc Del Forum: Wolf + Lamb and Soul Clap are back to Barcelona with their full team for a special new Crew Love edition to be held in the open-air Gran Auditori stage in Parc del Forum. For the second year, Pillowtalk, No Regular Play, Slow Hands, and Navid Izadi present their live show, with Nick Monaco, Tanner Ross and the hosts to fully envelop the audience in one of the most acclaimed events of the year. The colourful and excentric Crew Love guys and gals always know how to throw a party, and it’s a safe bet they’ll be pulling out all the stops for this one. Grab a drink, find a dancing partner, and let the lush sounds of Crew Love carry you away... Teaser video below.
14:00 – 00:30
Lola Ed VS Half Baked Showcase Open Air at Poble Espanyol Picnic Area: What better way to spend a Saturday in a beautiful outdoor open area with great tunes and a picnic. We would. There are some awesome Berlin vibes on this line up from the Half Baked and Lola Ed crew including Delano Smith, Fred P, Djebali, D’Julz, Jef K, Julietta and more. Get in.
23:00 – 6:45
Desolat Showcase at City Hall: Loco Dice and Martin Buttrich’s Brooklyn-born, Dusseldorf-based label is home to some of techno’s most impressive talent, and anything with the Desolat stamp is sure to be a class affair, with no detail overlooked from start to finish. For this affair, both Martin Buttrich and Guti are set to play live, and will be joined by Deloat favourites by Robert Dietz, Hector, Yaya, Cuertero and Danny Ocean. The only artist missing from the bill is Loco Dice, who’ll be playing a headline set at Sonar By Night just down the road if you’re adventurous enough to try and fit both in.
Sunday 15th June
14:00 – 23:59
Indigo Raw Bcn presents: Used & Abused at El Monasterio of Poble Espanyol: While Mr. Used & Abused still isn’t technically on the bill, one needn’t venture too far out on a limb in guessing that Loco Dice is probably the ‘very special guest’ yet to be announced. If confirmed, Dice will be topping off a massive line-up with several Ibiza friends and regulars including tINI, Guti, Pan-Pot, Jus Ed and Bella Saris, as well as analogue specialist Djebali and Benny Rodrigues. Taking place up in the picturesque, castle-like El Monasterio of Poble Espanyol, the venue will be the perfect fit for such a massive daytime affair, ensuring for a big cap to a big week.
14:00 – 23:45
Lee Burridge and Matthew Dekay presents All Day I Dream at ZT Hotel Villa Olympia. : Lee Burridge and Matthew Dekay’s All Day I Dream parties are an institution, and they’re both well known for their long, stunning journey sets. Other parties might have bigger line-ups, but a dreamy trip through the cosmos harking back to Playa-side soundscapes with these two expert selectors might be just what the doctor ordered come Sunday, and there’s still more to be announced.
14:00 – 5:00
Get Physical VS Flying Circus (Day & Night) at Fact Music Pool Series: On Sunday, the pool gets its extended licence, so whether you want to start here or end the day here, you can. DJ T.’s Get Physical and Audiofly’s Flying Circus have put together a tasty selection of their respective label’s finest jocks, including Blond:ish, Catz and Dogz, Enzo Siragusa, Ida Engberg, Konrad Black , Tennis, M.A.N.F.L.Y (Audiofly and Phillip Jung from M.A.N.D.Y. together), Martin Buttrich and of course, DJ T.
23:00 – 06:00
Seth Troxler presents Big Tittie Surprise: All we have to say is if you didn’t already love Seth Troxler, maybe the event description will entice you:
"Ride a trans-dimensional space dolphin to paradise with Seth Troxler & family. Enter a mythical and sensual soundscape where unicorns and unassuming minotaurs lay upon fresh beds of psilocybin mushrooms, spawning the worlds future leaders. A magical place where space, time, and dignity become entangled in sloppy ecstasy. Expose yourself to…yourself (we'll have mirrors available). Come to our party and fix your marriage, make your mail man like you, see through walls."
If the Dolphin Ferry and “free bumps of dignity” don’t seal the deal for you, consider that he’s been working with The Martinez Brothers a fair bit recently, even starting a record label together, and they aren’t booked for any OFF Sonar events (only playing Sonar by Night on the 13th), good money would be on the boys showing up for some fun at this one. Though even if we’re wrong, the likes of Dubfire, Craig Richards, Honey Dijon, Mathew Jonson, Paco Osuna and Butch are all scheduled to join Troxler, making for one hell of a finale. This one only rolls on until 6am, so get your last boogie out here.
This content was originally posted here: http://pulseradio.net/articles/2014/05/off-sonar-2014-party-guide