After a summer marked by cancellations and celebrations with antigen tests, it seems that this year normality will reign again in Barcelona's large-format festival ecosystem. First it was Primavera Sound, which has expanded days, spaces and artists, and then Sónar flexing its muscles with its headliners, so all that was left was for Cruïlla to show its plans. This Wednesday the enigma was solved: the most eclectic festival among the city's major events has presented a batch of groups where two legendary names stand out: Rubén Blades and Juan Luis Guerra, who will share a night to be remembered in the city's musical history. In addition, Duran Duran and Jack White among others join Residente and Hot Chip as major international attractions of the 2022 edition, which will be held between July 6 and 9 at the Fòrum venue in Barcelona.
The last two years have not been easy for Cruïlla. First they had to deal with a suspension due to the pandemic, and last year they held a reduced and eventful edition with several controversies related to health controls. That is why the Barcelona festival pays homage to the essence of its consumer: the commitment to the local public, "one of Cruïlla's main strengths," explained Jordi Herreruela, the festival's director, at the presentation of the lineup. Although it has become clear that, unlike the other two summer musical events, it is not an attraction aimed at tourists, visitors who come to Besòs will find names of sufficient weight, personalized by the surprising Latin triplet that stands out from the wide offer. To Residente (from Calle 13), already announced months ago, an unexpected double act is added, which represents a leap in quality and prestige for the Barcelona festival, since Juan Luis Guerra and Rubén Blades had never before coincided in a concert in Europe. The Dominican presents his 2019 album, Literal, for the first time in Catalonia, while Blades will come accompanied by Roberto Delgado and his Panamanian orchestra.
With the presentation of the definitive lineup, Cruïlla has assured that this will be the edition of the return to normality, as we knew it in this type of event in 2019, a way of putting everything in its place: "We will have a few first days of shorter sessions and, from then on, we will close later, all this taking into account the impact it may have on the neighbors," explained Herreruela. This is not a futile phrase, since in recent months several protests have appeared from neighborhood associations in the Fòrum due to the noise and disturbances expected to be caused by festivals that will last a long time, such as Primavera Sound.
Eclecticism as a brand
On the artistic side, among the new batch of confirmations, the return of one of the myths of British new wave stands out, Duran Duran. They come to present Future Past, their latest album, released in October last year, but all the band's anthems, of which there are many, are expected to be played. More names: Jack White, soul of the remembered White Stripes, and Molotov, the classic Mexicans who, as the organizers explained, were an old aspiration of Cruïlla. Their 1997 album Donde jugarán las niñas is a classic of rap-funk-punk, in the style of Rage Against the Machine, which exploded strongly in the late 90s. Their specialty: ease for jumping and incendiary lyrics.
As happens every year, the bulk of Cruïlla's names are local, achieving a fairly equal representation of the different scenes that make up the national musical map. Some usual suspects who could not be missed: the Stay Homas, who, by the way, collaborated with Rubén Blades; the classic Sevillian rapper Tote King, who is not only responsible for one of last year's best albums, The King Tape, but also published, just before confinement, some very interesting memoirs, Bunker (Blackie Books); Queralt Lahoz; Joe Crepusculo, who will present his latest LP, Trovador Tecno, Dancetería or Delafé y las Flores Azules, another of the groups that has just returned to the road.
As happens every year, the bulk of Cruïlla's names are local, achieving a fairly equal representation of the different scenes that make up the national musical mapBefore getting into the fine print, highlight two of the most popular artists from the past Benidorm Fest who will also play in the new edition of Cruïlla, the Galician womenTanxungueirasandRigoberta BandiniPaula Ribó will continue to reap the fruits of her enormous success among the Barcelona public thanks toOh Mama, a tribute to mothers with the scent of Abba and Queen that came close to representing Spain in Eurovision. In addition, indie-pop will also have its share of representation, withNiña Polaca,Colectivo Da SilvaorDan Peralbo, winners of the last contest for new bands in Catalan, Sona9.
All of them join a lineup that had already announced names such as Zahara, who will once again present her celebrated Puta, The Bloody Beetroots, Rozalén, Hado Freddy's Drop, Buhos or Sofi Tukker.
Primavera Sound will kick off the season
While it is true that important and international concerts are starting to be held in these first months of the year, such as at Palau Sant Jordi, which filled with 10,000 people with veteran Bryan Adams, it won't be until the celebration of Primavera Sound that we will finally believe that total normality has returned. As tradition dictates, it will be the festival that will kick off the season and will be held between June 2 and 12.
It won't be until the celebration of Primavera Sound that we will finally believe that total normality has returnedAfter two years completely halted in terms of major events, the Barcelona giant has doubled down on all fronts, not only expanding to several cities around the world (it will reach Chile, Brazil, Argentina and the United States), but also doubling the duration of the mother festival, the one in Barcelona. Primavera Sound 202×2 will have 11 days, a marathon session never seen before. You have a problem if you still don't have a ticket, as they have all been sold out since last year. The lineup is colossal, and includes names such asTame Impala, Lorde, Massive Attack,Pavement,Kim Gordon,Jorja Smith,The Strokes, BeckorTyler, The Creator.
The data is frightening: in 11 days, 413 artists will perform, offering more than 500 acts throughout the festival.
The safe bet of Sónar
Due to Sónar's own characteristics, Barcelona's electronic and advanced music festival is one of those that has suffered the most during the ill-fated period of festival closures. But not even a global pandemic could defeat the dean of the city's major active summer events, which will be held again this year in its usual venues on June 16, 17, and 18, just a few days after Primavera Sound ends.
The most anticipated edition of this historic festival? Possibly, because if there's one thing youth needs after two years of technical closure, it's to dance. The annual trip to the Fira is a tradition that has not been practiced for too long, even though Sónar managed to hold a reduced autumn edition at the CCCB and Poble Espanyol last October.
A luxury lineup awaits us, with The Chemical Brothers, The Blaze, C. Tangana, Arca, Oneohtrix Point Never, Princess Nokia, Joy Orbison, and Louisahhh, among many others. All this, as always, in the usual venues of Fira Montjuïc and Fira Gran Via.