{"id":1990875,"date":"2026-06-15T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1990875"},"modified":"2026-06-15T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T21:00:00","slug":"wonderland-229","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1990875","title":{"rendered":"Wonderland"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\tWonderland<\/span>
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\n\t\t\tPINTS, DOWNPOURS AND PRIMADONNAS AT PRIMAVERA SOUND BARCELONA 2026<\/span>
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Even with nearly an entire day rained off, Primavera Sound Barcelona continues to be the best festival in Europe. It\u2019s a wild ride, one you\u2019ll never want to get off.\u00a0<\/h3>\n
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\"Pints,<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

I\u2019m not averse to a bit of rain at a festival. As Brits, the occasional downpour is pretty much your status quo. In fact, a bit of precipitation can help matters. Two years ago, on the same hollowed ground that I now prepare to eulogise, I experienced a personal spiritual breakthrough, thanks to a climactic rendition of \u201890s Midwest emo legends American Football\u2019s seminal track \u201cNever Ends\u201d.<\/p>\n

Some 24 months later, in the destructive inclemency of Thursday at Primavera Sound Barcelona, I experienced something of a similar magnitude. For a band that has toured seemingly constantly over the past few years, to label it their favourite show to date is quite something. But that\u2019s what Geese did on their Instagram. It\u2019s hard to disagree.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hours earlier, I\u2019m sitting in London City Airport, existentially wondering why I opted for a peppermint tea and a ginger shot at Pret rather than the black Americano and croissant that I so desperately need following a crack of dawn wake-up. Health first, I guess. Around 20 minutes after takeoff, a man in a hi-vis requests the bustling gate\u2019s attention. Due to bad weather (a foreshadowing of what\u2019s to come), three passengers are required to volunteer to sacrifice their place on the flight, and instead trek as the city to Heathrow for a flight in several hours. As a reward, they\u2019d be gifted a \u20ac250 voucher.<\/p>\n

I personally think it\u2019s a pretty good offer, but my workmate, travel companion and spiritual counterpart seems less infused, so I remain quiet. Murmurs spread, glances pierce. Which three will volunteer as tribute? And what happens if no one does? I feel like I\u2019m in a straight-to-Netflix action thriller.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It resolves itself quite simply in the end, with three lucky punters grabbing the cash prize in favour of immediate comfort. And so we\u2019re all aboard the British Airways flight to Barcelona. I spend my plane time devouring Finnish president Alexander Stubb\u2019s fascinating new book The Triangle of Power: Rebalancing the New World Order<\/em>. A must-read for the politically adept among us in this time of unfathomable change. Anyway, we land, find the glorious A1 bus into the city centre, grab a spot of lunch (and the weekend\u2019s first Estrella, a generational first sip was had), and head towards our hotel.\u00a0<\/p>\n

We\u2019re staying at Generator, which is a chain of hotels\/hostels with some of the funkiest internal architecture I\u2019ve seen, from fun swinging chairs, a games room, to vibrant wall art. Everyone seems groovy, too. We\u2019re in top-floor rooms with a balcony \u2013 result. A few hours of email catch-up and a quick freshen up, and it\u2019s about time we got stuck in.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meeting up with our trusted photographer for a pre-fest sangria, we rush our way to meet Bad Gyal for a catch-up in the V-VIP section behind the mainstage. Then we see a bit of Blood Orange, whose gorgeous compositions ring out resonantly around Park Del F\u00f2rum, before seeking the day\u2019s main attraction, for me at least.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\"Pints,<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The clouds darken as Cameron Winter and co walk out onto the stage to roar from their ever-growing swarm of disciples. Before long, the rain begins to hurl from the sky. I had the brainwave of bringing a brolly, but the majority of the crowd are without cover, and by two-thirds into the set, are sodden through. I received some grotesque looks of jealousy. I try not to act too smug.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite the torrential rain and hurricane wind, the NYC quartet deliver a flawless showing, culminating in a transcendent swansong of \u201cTaxes\u201d. I lose myself, screaming back at Winter, unsure whether it\u2019s tears of joy or acid rain dripping down my smiling cheeks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\"Pints,<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

I need a sit-down and a cup of tea after that, but instead I\u2019m greeted by complete and utter chaos. The weather continues to degrade, and thousands of spectators are searching desperately for shelter and\/or their friends. It\u2019s ugly scenes to be frank \u2013 too many people in an enclosed place with little security or organisation in place.\u00a0<\/p>\n

We finally find our wider group and the rain begins to lessen, but the main stage is still locked off, with little or no communication via social media or on the large interactive boards next to the stages about what\u2019s happening. Still, spirits stay relatively high with full beer glasses.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Massive Attack, a highly anticipated act for many, get rescheduled to be back on, and then cancelled again, and that\u2019s enough dejection to call it a night. After nearly getting caught in a human landslide while attempting to board the Metro, we make it back to the safe hub of the Generator and call it a night. Disappointing, but at least me and Cameron shared that moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The next day and I\u2019m as fresh as a daisy, down at breakfast nice and early, enjoying the tasteful continental options and slamming coffees like there\u2019s no tomorrow. After some work bits, we\u2019re set to meet up with the good people of the Barcelona tourism board for a visit at Palau de la M\u00fasic, the iconic classical music building, the only concert hall in Europe completely illuminated by natural light.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\"Pints,<\/figure>\n
\"Pints,<\/figure>\n
\"Pints,<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

A guided tour goes down a treat \u2013 it\u2019s a place of utmost aesthetic beauty \u2013 as does a delicious lunch that follows, shared with some other journalists as well as Joan Oller, the Director of Palau, and Victor Medem, the General Manager of another of Barcelona\u2019s most cherished spaces, L\u2019Auditori.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Following our classy rendezvous, knocking the elegance down a few pegs feels apt, so I grab a few beers with friends and head into the festival for a special press meet-up put on by Prima, half-listening to Irish band NewDad while shooting the shit. After the drinks round off, we saunter off towards the Levi\u2019s backstage area for a quick catch-up with the eccentric Babymorocco.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\"Pints,<\/figure>\n
\"Pints,<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

Then, the music descends. First, some of Addison Rae \u2013 big pop energy, not for me but everyone else seems to love it. I then split off to try and get into The Avalanches, which fails miserably (big ol\u2019 queue), so meet back up with the wider group for The Cure. A pure bucket-list tick, Robert and the gang deliver the goods with a set that spans sleeper gems and stone cold classics alike.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I catch a bit of Amaarae (BLACK STAR<\/em> sounds amazing) and then witness the entire JADE set from near the front. I\u2019m vastly impressed. She commands the audience. \u201cAngel Of My Dreams\u201d goes off. It\u2019s a show-stopping showing, one of a certified pop star.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\"Pints,<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Things are pretty loose by this point, and so perfect timing for Skrillex. The set is an immaculate, immersive and intricate weaving of electronic sensibilities brimming with highlights, enough to slam me back into reality after the pop haze of the last few hours. I\u2019m cutting shapes like a stencil.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After that, we see a bit of Viagra Boys, which I think is unreal, but the group wants something else, so I follow. Can\u2019t win them all. We finish the night at the Cupra Colosseum. My shirt is on back to front; I can\u2019t quite remember why. I don\u2019t really care all too much. As the sun threatens to rise, we wobble out of the grounds with smiles plastered across our faces.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Saturday\u2019s start is more than slow. Dragging myself out of bed for a coffee and a sandwich in the afternoon; bar that, not much to report until it\u2019s time to go again. We\u2019re starting the evening classily, with dinner at LORA, a delicious contemporary Mediterranean restaurant near the festival who have kindly hosted us. We start with delicious flatbread, before I opt for an incredible octopus dish as main, accompanied by tenderstem broccoli. Polished off with a fine bottle of wine. 10\/10 all round.<\/p>\n

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\"Pints,<\/figure>\n
\"Pints,<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

Feeling a lot better than three hours ago, we head back into the festival, just in time to catch the last trimmings of Little Simz\u2019 triumphant finale. We then catch a touch of Ruwosky, who is immense at Cupra, before we split off. Some to Olivia Rodrigo for her secret set. I saw her recently, though<\/a>, so head over to see shoegaze savants My Bloody Valentine. It\u2019s a mesmerising wall of sound, an explosion of emotion and technical excellence. Angsty teenage me is happy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The highs only continue with the goat himself, Dijon. Last year\u2019s record Baby<\/em> was undoubtedly one of the year\u2019s best, and it translates wonderfully to the live circuit, backed by an instrumental cohort of double figures, it\u2019s all luscious grooves, stunning vocal work and sing-along sincerity.\u00a0<\/p>\n

We catch the backend of The xx (in top nostalgic form on their return), before settling in for the most anticipated set of the weekend. Damon Albarn and his gang of merry men enter the stage with the feeling that this is an important moment of history, even for a band with such a long-standing legacy. Gorillaz is one of the greatest acts of the 21st century<\/a>, and their set shows so.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\"Pints,<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Plucking from the new album \u2013 their ninth, The Mountain <\/em>\u2013 and old and gold hits alike (I think I die and go to heaven for the double-edged finale of \u201cFeel Good Inc.\u201d and \u201cClint Eastwood\u201d), it\u2019s a set of searing magnitude from an act who keep on getting better. A worthy finishing headliner.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There\u2019s time for one more gem \u2013 Kneecap are always excellent, but this is the best I\u2019ve seen them. Their recent album went by a bit quietly, but was for me their strongest yet, and the early hours set is littered with stone-cold anthems. Politically potent and artistically articulate, the trio are barely getting started.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s four in the morning and I\u2019m flying at 11am ish tomorrow, and so I think it\u2019s best I make my exit. I bid farewell to my Prima companions and set off into the night. The Metro back to the hotel is carnage, and I put my head on my pillow with barely two hours to sleep.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The next day is, as you can imagine, rough beyond adjectives. Worth it though. Primavera Sound Barcelona has become, without doubt, my favourite European festival, with the most vibrant and varied line-up, funnest attendees, and against the backdrop of dazzling Barcelona. Who said a little rain ruins the party, ay?<\/p>\n

Words \u2013 Ben Tibbits<\/em><\/p>\n

Profile photography \u2013 Emma Rahmani<\/em><\/p>\n

Performance photography \u2013 Gisela Jane \/ Pamies Garcia \/ Sergio Albert \/ Christian Bertrand<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t15 June 2026\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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A Trip To…<\/a><\/div>\n
Festivals<\/a><\/div>\n
Music<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\tRaye turns heads in Prada at the Songwriters Hall of Fame<\/span> <\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wonderland PINTS, DOWNPOURS AND PRIMADONNAS AT PRIMAVERA SOUND BARCELONA 2026 Even with nearly an entire day rained off, Primavera Sound Barcelona continues to be the best festival in Europe. It\u2019s a wild ride, one you\u2019ll never want to get off.\u00a0 I\u2019m not averse to a bit of rain at a festival. As Brits, the occasional […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,257],"class_list":["post-1990875","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-wonderlandmagazine-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1990875","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1990875"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1990875\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1990875"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1990875"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1990875"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}