I, for one, am very excited for the Sonar Music Festival this year. Probably because I couldn’t go last year and kick-off this season is just 9 days away and counting! Sonar is a three day event in Barcelona, Spain that attracts artists, musicians and clubbers from across the globe. Their extravagant themes and mish-mish of music and art make for a weird and wonderful time; they have successfully hosted the annual event for the last 14 years and show no sign of slowing down, expecting 80,000 people this year.

The festival’s line-ups tend to favour electronic dance music, be that house, techno, electro, hip-hop or a modern mash-up of them all. They love to feature new exciting experimental acts, unafraid to push boundaries of music, DJing and VJing, and also support many home-grown artists.

This year’s show has two main themes as the basis for it’s programme: the “female factor” in today’s music and “hybridism” as the result of the intersection of musical genres and subgenres. Sonar has incorporated world class female acts into the immense line-up; live shows from Roisin Murphy and Goldfrapp complement DJ sets from the likes of Mary Anne Hobbs and Magda. A great example of the ‘hybridism’, and part of the sustained proof that Sonar is one of the best festivals in the world to check out the cream of national and international talent, is the premiere outing of a unique ‘dream team’. Pop jazz superstar Jamie Cullum, alongside brother Ben, have enlisted the help of original Underworld member Darren Emerson, then top it off with Matt White, guitarist for The Bays and The Egg, and Dave DeRose, drummer for Roisin Murphys band. Wow. I think you’ll be getting a full review on that!

The Sonar experience is split into two parts. Sonar by Day takes place in the centre of Barcelona from midday and is a great place to meet and network amongst a real variety of art and music. Sonar by Night is one crazy all-night party, out in the suburbs with the music taking place in huge arenas, hence the huge line-ups!

All this in the wonderful city of Barcelona, Gaudi’s playground, I just know that I’m going to be so torn and pushed for time, and ultimately, late for everything. Good job they don’t eat dinner until midnight.

Check the full Sonar Line up in our forums and add your comments here…

http://uk.music-jobs.com/forum/sonar-2008-thu-19-fri-20-sat-21jun-line-ups-announced-562112

Fancy working at a music festival this summer? Search our Jobs Board here…

http://uk.music-jobs.com/searchjobs.php

Lee Jarvis.