Sónar takes a decisive step and reshapes its recent history. The festival unveils part of its 2026 line-up and, with it, presents a structural change that will completely transform the experience. It will run for three consecutive days, in a single venue, with uninterrupted music. This time, everything is concentrated at Fira Barcelona – Gran Via, where activity flows within one shared space and every element connects seamlessly to the next.
The intention is clear, to restore Barcelona’s role as the global capital of electronic culture. With this edition, Sónar aims to mark the beginning of a new chapter.
A Preview that Sets the Direction
Although it only represents 30% of the final line-up, the first announcement already reveals the pulse of the edition. Kelis will make her Sónar debut after more than twenty years of career, and Skepta arrives with grime in full evolution, as he prepares a new album set for early 2026. Meanwhile, Charlotte de Witte and Amelie Lens will appear in the same edition with two unprecedented audiovisual shows—something never before seen at the festival.
The narrative continues with the return of Modeselektor and their completely new live show. WhoMadeWho continue expanding their exploration of electronic pop. Cabaret Voltaire celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first performance, bringing Stephen Mallinder and Chris Watson back together. And Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore will present a work created using historical instruments from the Philharmonie de Paris.
These names point towards a highly contemporary reading of club culture. The journey spans from techno to new hybrids of garage, bassline, amapiano and drum’n’bass. Established figures coexist with young voices shaping the near future. Once again, Sónar positions itself where it naturally belongs: at the vanguard.
A Festival Without Pauses
The 2026 edition erases the boundary between day and night. To achieve this, it combines three outdoor stages with three indoor ones, sustaining a constant flow of music. This configuration allows audiences to avoid splitting their experience and to move freely through an architectural layout designed to foster immersion and continuity.
The classic SonarClub, SonarLab and SonarCar retain their usual locations. Alongside them, SonarVillage by Estrella Damm grows; SonarPark expands outdoors; and SonarHall is renewed to host more live performances and sets. Each space is redesigned with advanced technology that reinforces the festival’s audiovisual DNA.
Sónar+D Takes More Space — and More of the City
The area dedicated to innovation and creativity will have more prominence than ever within Fira Gran Via. Immersive installations, digital art and interactive experiences will coexist with the same rhythm as the musical programme.
At the same time, the 14th International Congress of Innovation, Creativity and Technology will continue to take place in Barcelona on Thursday and Friday mornings. It will be held across various locations in the city — to be announced soon — and will feature new ticket options allowing access exclusively to Sónar+D.
An Image in Transformation
The visual campaign for Sónar 2026 is created by Boldtron and art-directed by Lluís Campos. The identity presents the festival as a living organism that never stops transforming. Each stage appears as a micro-world identifiable through iconic elements such as grass or red curtains.
Boldtron’s style, known for pioneering work in 3D, CGI, virtual reality and artificial intelligence, is reflected in a digital aesthetic that nonetheless maintains a surprisingly organic character. Their experimental, technical approach fits naturally with the festival’s evolutionary spirit.
A More Accessible Experience
Sónar is also updating its ticketing model. The SonarPass and SonarPass+D remain, while a new Weekend Ticket simplifies the offer, covering Friday and Saturday with extended hours. Individual day tickets will also be available.
Thursday will have a special price, and there will be discounts for young audiences. Added to this is the Black Friday promotion, offering the Weekend Ticket for €119 in limited quantities.
Sónar 2026 is an initiative by Advanced Music and the Sónar Foundation, with support from the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Barcelona City Council, the L’Hospitalet City Council and the European Commission’s S+T+ARTS initiative.
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