Preview: Primavera Sound Los Angeles
Reknown for mixing together some of today’s most in-demand headliners with acts that will surely become tomorrow’s favorites, Primavera Sound has become synonymous with European festival culture. Barcelona hosted its 20th iteration this past June to critical acclaim and this September, for the first time, the fest is introducing a weekend in our very own backyard.
Taking place September 16-18 in Los Angeles Historical Park this fest is setting itself up to be an idyllic escape from the late summer heat, easing us into fall. Boasting American and international acts that range the spectrum of deep house to indie pop, heavy metal to psychedelic rock; planning out who you might want to hear has no limits.
Primavera is equal parts a place to see long-time festival headliners and a place to discover the underground music you didn’t know you needed. Take a look to see who’s caught our eye pre-fest:
Friday
Lorde heads up the first day of Primavera Sound. Capping off her North American tour, she’s sure to have a setlist of favorites (and hopefully a few surprises). On the female-fronted day, Clairo, Mitski, and PinkPantheress stand out as some of the biggest rising stars of pop and indie-rock music. Further down the line, Darkside is sure to infuse some atmospheric psychedelic sounds into the Los Angeles air, and we’ll be to catch Divino Niño as they brighten up the day with some psych-pop sunshine.
Saturday
Nine Inch Nails, Khruangbin, and Kim Gordon headline a second day likely to be anticipated just as much as the first. Fontanes D.C. and Surf Curse will bring some more rock into the day–the latter may look familiar, as nearly the whole outfit fronted by Nick Rattigan will play Friday as Current Joys! Melancholy acts, like Low, will be offset by artists like Bicep, Drain Gang, and Tierra Whack that’ll have you jumping around. Latin sounds are also something to look forward to on Saturday with acts like Paloma Mami and Sangre Nueva.
Sunday
Arctic Monkeys, King Krule, Amyl and the Sniffers, and girl in red stand out on Sunday’s bill that puts international headliners at the forefront. Faye Webster and Cigarettes After Sex will bring their own renditions of down-tempo rock, while Boy Harsher and Jeff Mills will be putting together electronica sets that’ll give you a second wind and some extra energy to dance through the last day of the fest. Dry Cleaning and Gustaf are quickly emerging as indie favorites that we’re sure to try and catch as well.
If you want to make a go of planning the weekend, set times are out now. To get the most out of your experience though, don’t stress about sticking to a plan. Often, the most memorable artists are the unexpected ones–likely the ones you haven’t even been alerted to in this article!
Tickets are still available, be sure to snag yours here.
