Phurpa

Quite a mind blowing experience! Phurpa – hailing from Russia – sounds like a Tibetan version of Sunn O))) where drones are replaced by deep growling voices. Probably the weirdest stuff I’ve seen/will see this year.

Aldous Harding

Clearly the newest hype at festivals: hidden stages. We managed to discover one and got in during the Aldous Harding gig. With Aldous Harding, it seems like a new PJ Harvey has stood up. Harding’s set was full of pure beauty. Hauntingly beautiful even!

Bon Iver

Ok, let’s be honest: we still haven’t listened thoroughly enough to ‘22, A Million’ to say if we do agree with the Pitchfork 9.0 score/review of the album. But what Bon Iver pulled off at Primavera was simply astonishing. We even fell in love with his auto tune liked we’ve heard Justin Vernon’s guest appearance before on Kanye’s radical album ‘Yeezus’. A true star who dares to re-invent himself while half of the population is waiting for ‘For Emma, Forever Ago IV’, R E S P E C T!

S U R V I V E

One half of S U R V I V E - Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein – was responsible for the soundtrack of  the superb Netflix series ‘Stranger Things’.  S U R V I V E  delivered a lovely & groovy musical fest for analog synths lovers.

Junun Feat. Shye Ben Tzur & The Rajasthan Express

This is why we love Primavera so much #1: they take risks and dare to put on acts like this. Junun was supported bij Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood who released a superb album in ’15 on Nonesuch. Junun equals a great mixture of Qawwali & Israeli global sounds.

Elza Soares

This is why we love Primavera so much #2! Elza Soares is an 80 years old Brazilian icon who fuses samba with electronica (!). Add to that her astonishing fierce dark voice and you’re into a trip you hardly experienced.

Aphex Twin

Twisted as always. Thus: twisted as fuck. I guess we will always love Aphex Twin. Richard D. James: will you come over to DJ at my wedding party? You can even choose the opening dance.

The Black Angels

What a great show! 101% pure sixties psychedelica with great visuals. Soon at AB. Don’t miss them. They do rock the house.

Noga Erez

Futuristic pop somewhere in the line of Björk, St. Vincent & FKA twigs. Noga Erez is hailing from Israel, still needs to grow a bit but will soon steal hearts all over the planet. Noga: you have mine already.

Solange

And my second heart goes out to…. Solange! After seeing disappointing Solange shows at SXSW (Austin, Texas) and Primavera years ago, Solange is finally up and running. T O P. S H O W. W E. C O M P L E T E L Y. F E L L. I N. L O V E.

I also loved:

Angel Olson, Kate Tempest, Kelly Lee Owens, Sleep, Swans, Sweat Shop Boys, This Is Not This Heat, Van Morrison, Weyes Blood, Wild Beasts & Shellac.

(Some) mixed feelings:

Miguel, Sampha, Seu Jorge plays The Life Aquatic: ‘A Tribute To David Bowie’, Descendents, King Krule, Royal Trux, Fufano, Sinkane,…