Frances Leate
FORGET Prince’s idea of partying ‘like it’s 1999’, because now its time to party like its 2013.
And if you are going to be spending the year in Spain you are in for an endless choice when it comes to live music.
Some of the best pop, rock, R&B, hop hop, folk and dance acts of the 21st Century are due to grace our Spanish shores over the next 12 months.
They include well-established acts like Blur, The Killers and Queens of the Stone Age and newcomers who have taken the music industry by storm in recent months, such as Azealia Banks.
If you’re a mud-loving festival goer then head to Barcelona for the Primavera Sound Festival from May 22-26 to see Britpop heroes, Blur.
Or for a healthy mix of vintage pop classics like Pet Shop Boys to pioneering German electronic get up, Kraftwerk, head to Sonar Festival from June 13-15.
And then, of course, there is Benicassim Festival, which has grown in size and become one of the best European festivals in the world over the last decade.
This year the festival on July 18-21 will feature the edgy and talented hip hop singer, Azealia Banks, seasoned rockers Queens of the Stone Age and the experts of the drunken pub balled, The Killers.
Also playing are Jake Bugg, Palma Violets, Echo Lake, Splashh and Swim Deep.
Benicassim is also the place to be if you fancy a heady, colourful display of the best in Dub, Ska, Reggae and African music.
The Rototom Reggae Sunsplash Festival from August 17-24 is sure to not disappoint.
For a lesser known festival, making its way up the ranks, head to Benidorm – for the aptly named – Low Cost Festival.
True to its name, the first 2,000 tickets can be bought for as little as €35 and acts include Two Door Cinema Club, Delorentos, Toy and Monarchy.
Another festival to pencil in your diary is Arenal Sound Festival from August 1-4 in Castellon, featuring The Editors and White Lies.
For something closer to home, acclaimed guitarist, Mark Knopfler will be making his way to the Plaza de Toros in Malaga on July 27 for a much anticipated concert.
Valencia will welcome a string of leading acts in 2013, including The Dogs D’Amour on February 25 at Sala Wah Wah, UK Subs and TV Smith at Rock City on March 1, and Edwyn Collins on March 21 at Sala El Loco.
Nearer to home in Murcia head to the S.O.S 4.8 Festival which is not for the faint-hearted running non stop for 48 hours on May 3-4. It will feature massive London band The XX, ModeSelektor and Justice.
Murcia will also host gigs from The Godfathers on February 23 at Sala 12 y Medio.
who ?
I’m tempted more by the Celtic Connections festiival in Glasgow “www.celticconnections.com/Pages/default.aspx” – but it has to said there are a lot of great groups in the Spanish list.
Looks like the Spanish music scene is finally catching up! Must make sure I get to S.O.S. this year- best lineup yet!
One you missed out is Nowhere Festival near Zaragoza, which focuses more on art and expression, though there is plenty of noisy dubstep for the bass addicts among us too! It’s allegedly Spain’s answer to Burning Man. Allegedly.