AI, undisputed headliner at Sónar 2024

In its 31st edition, Sónar attracted a total of 154,000 attendees, distributed among Sónar by Day with 54,000, Sónar by Night with 66,000, and OFFSónar with 34,000; an international audience from more than 90 countries. The festival celebrated the diversity of electronic music genres and subgenres, ranging from ambient to hyperpop. This year, it offered more than 250 activities, including live performances, DJ sessions, performances, conferences, and exhibitions.

Following the trend of the event that goes beyond its four walls and involves the destination as well as the trend (a practice initiated by Sónar long ago) of blending disciplines far beyond pure music, the event featured various locations across the province of Barcelona. OFFSónar, which organizes open-air events throughout the week, expanded its programming with a series of special activities at the historic Poble Espanyol. Among its activities were parties such as Brunch Electronik, X by Adriatique, Solid Grooves, Keinemusik, FUSE London, and elrow, which took place from Thursday to Sunday.

Additionally, the programming included the second edition of the +RAIN Film Festival, which was held at the Poblenou Campus of Pompeu Fabra University. This international festival focused on films generated with artificial intelligence, reaffirming technological innovation in the seventh art.

Moreover, the SonarMies series took place at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, where the installation ‘Liquid Strata,’ created by oceanographer Joan Llort and the artists Entangled Others and Daphne Xanthopoulou, was exhibited. The inauguration of THE CUBE at Casa Batlló also took place, as we have already mentioned, as part of the festival.

Talking about Sónar also means talking about its technology congress, Sónar+D, which this year addressed the implementation of artificial intelligence in creative industries and its present and future impact, in addition to exploring new possibilities in immersive entertainment and expanded realities. In its 12th edition, the event consolidated its morning format, with the participation of over 370 artists and experts.

The Project Area, supported by the Banco Sabadell Foundation, was the hub of the congress’s most notable innovations, offering a forum for debate, a testing ground, and an exhibition area for visitors. Additionally, Sónar+D expanded its reach throughout the venue with AV conferences and multidisciplinary performances on Stage+D, integrating its programming with Sónar by Day.

This year, the AI theme was a key part of the event. In addition to the topics covered at Sonar+D, the “AI & Music powered by S+T+ARTS” initiative, supported by the European Commission, included performances, talks, masterclasses and workshops focusing on the relationship between machine learning and music creation. Over the next three years, Sónar will focus on exploring the intersection between generative AI and musical creativity, following the model of the independent festival AI & Music, held in 2021. This year, the programme has highlighted the use of AI in various fields, offering talks, panels and demonstrations in creative expression.

In addition, several co-productions have been presented, such as the show by Lee Gamble, who presented his album “Models”, created with AI, in a co-production with the Polish festival Unsound and with choreography by Candela Capitán.

SónarLab x Printworks: Collaboration with the iconic London club

For the first time, Sónar has joined forces with Printworks to bring the spirit of the celebrated London club to Sónar by Night. The venue is known for its impact on the electronic music scene and has a distinctive industrial architecture. This collaboration ushers in a new era for the SonarLab stage, whose renovation features a large 6×10 m² vertical screen and innovative lighting design, providing an immersive, audio-visual experience for cutting-edge shows.