This past weekend saw some of the biggest names in the music industry congregate in Barcelona for this years installment of the Primavera Festival 2023; Kendrick Lamar, Loyle Carner, Baby Keem, Rema, Central Cee, Fred again…, Nia Archives and so many more great artists took to one of the twelve stages over the weekend – here’s what we managed to catch at the festival.
Having attended the Saturday afternoon / evening sets, despite not managing to catch the first couple of days, the vibe was noticeably immaculate at the Parc Del Forum. A tangible atmosphere held against the picturesque backdrop of Barcelona’s vibrant coastline brought together music fans from all over the globe for a celebration of a diverse array of genres.
Nia Archives set was the first full performance I managed to catch, and certainly one of the highlights from my experience. Taking to the stage on Saturday evening, the 2023 Brit Award Rising Star nominee and Best Electronic / Dance Act winner at the recent MOBO Awards shelled down and unmissable hour long set in night scape. Charging up the crowd into a sporadic frenzy, the North England talent showcased her impressive discography of jungle infused bootlegs and original tracks to a willing audience. Followed by the Nia Archives set, the Boiler Room stage was next to catch my interest, an innovative and interactive inside stage in the shape of a dome encapsulated International vibes across electronic and techno music infused with pop, rap and jazz. Topping off the Saturday night / Sunday morning, Overmono performed an unforgettable sunrise set that captured all aspects of electronic music, with a standout Mike Skinner bootleg resonating and lifting the final crowd of the festival.
Sunday night saw a string of smaller, intimate shows in and around the city, with Loyle Carner being the standout artist of the bunch. There are a few things that separate a rapper from an artist in my opinion, those things being musicality, longevity and substance – all of which fits the discourse for Loyle to fall into the latter bracket. Showcasing a dynamic setlist to an International audience, the artist crafted a special connection to a full capacity Razzmatazz crowd, who unsurprisingly sung along to every word of an incredible performance.
Primavera Barcelona 2023 surpassed all expectations and I left the event, despite only making the weekend sets, feeling extremely whole. A diverse lineup and vibrant, welcoming atmosphere provided a perfect setting; Barcelona truly showcased the best of the City’s artistic spirit and left attendees with unforgettable memories. This is a must attend for any music fan, anyone who thrives in cultural exploration, anyone who enjoys living life to the max.
