English
Primavera Sound has returned to Barcelona. This time it has a poster even more interesting and daring than last year. And this 2012 Primavera is committed to sounds that are heavier and more experimental than other times, with bands like Godflesh, Napalm Death, Sleep and Mayhem. Is the audience at Primavera leaving behind hipster pretenses and turning to harder music? Does it mark the end of modernity? Far from it. One possible explanation is that the impact of some of the heavy metal bands that will be at the festival have been so important to the development of independent music in general that leaving them out would be neglecting what has been happening for the last 20 years. Some say that many of the most influential bands today, such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Pelican and Neurosis, with their experimental music that trends toward heavy metal have renewed this genre and converted it into post rock or post metal.
Two groups will make important returns to the stage this year. One is the enigmatic Codeine, a pioneering American slowcore band. With slow cadences and whispering voices, Codeine preceded the post rock scene, and especially bands like Tortoise, Do Make Say Think and Mogwai. In a similar vein and drone, the impressiveMain, with Robert Hampson at the controls, will also be present. This important English musician was the lead guitar and vocals of the legendary psychedelic bandLoop.Mainstood out in the 90s for his cold, experimental sound, which was layered and had an intense atmosphere with hypnotic, repetitive rhythms.
The funny thing is that if we watch the video promotion for Primavera Sound 2012, none of these bands are presented. The commercial is very “cute” and seems to target the young, trendy and handsome. What are the intentions of the Primavera Sound then in bringing in these heavier bands? Is the hipster audience no longer enough? The commercial in question shows different shirts from various bands, indie, electo and pop are represented but none of the more rare bands. Is this discrimination? No, it’s just business as usual.
It should be mentioned that among the most popular bands The Cure will be at this edition of Primavera Sound. Robert Smith and co. will give one of their spectacular live shows, which are much more hypnotic and intense than their official recordings. The Cure laid down the path for post punk, gothic rock, and the best pop of the 80s. Robert Smith is probably one of the best pop songwriters of the last three decades.
For more information on Primavera Sound, visit the festival’s official website: http://sanmiguelprimaverasound.es/
Rent apartments in Barcelona at the end of May and be a part of Primavera Sound 2012. This festival certainly won´t be a disappointment, especially if you have a place to call home after a day full of surprises.
