SÓNAR DAY 1
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Sónar 2025: Day 1 – Code, Sound, and Questions About the Future
Sónar Village. Photo: Pablo Herrera (TMN).
TMN is back at Sónar Festival in Barcelona, a space where music, technology, and thought collide. This year, Sónar kicks off amidst a tense and complex backdrop: calls for boycotts, debates around funding, and an atmosphere thick with both anticipation and discomfort. But we’re not here to simplify it—we’re here to witness and report what’s really going on, from the eyes of a new generation.
Our team on the ground—Amaia García, Àlex Grimà, and Pablo Hrrera—began Day 1 deep inside Sónar+D, where art and innovation meet critical questions about the world we’re building.
🎤 Conversations That Matter
We spoke with Antonia Folguera, curator of Sónar+D, who reminded us that this year’s program is not about perfection, but about recording what’s happening—between artists, researchers, and thinkers who are collectively shaping the future. She urged us to experience Xin Liu’s “Cosmic Metabolism”, an installation and talk that decode her own genetic code and invite visitors to take a physical piece of it with them. “We’ve reached a point where we are all data,” Folguera said. “And we are less and less in control of it. What happens if that data is made public—and someone else claims ownership?”
We spoke with Antonia Folguera, one of the key voices behind the curatorship of Sónar+D, about the challenges and decisions that have shaped this year’s edition of the festival.
FEELING INSPIRED?
Become a TMN member and join the community powering the next generation of creators.
Get exclusive content, support young and independent journalism, learn alongside emerging talent, and be part of a movement that believes in the power of ideas.
TMN exists thanks to people like you!
We also sat down with Antonio Gutiérrez of Antonus Synths, the Barcelona-based creator of handcrafted modular synthesizers. In a hands-on chat surrounded by machines, he walked us through the process of building analog instruments that carry a deep personal and technical philosophy.
Desde el corazón de Sónar+D 2025, hablamos con Antonio Gutierrez de Antonus Synths, el proyecto barcelonés que reinterpreta los sintetizadores analógicos con alma modular y espíritu artesanal.
🎶 Music Highlights
The music program launched with a dynamic range of performances that spanned tradition, experimentation, and legendary legacy. One of the day’s most powerful moments came from Chano Domínguez and Bronquio, whose collaboration “Calle Barcelona” paid tribute to the street where Paco de Lucía spent his early years. Blending flamenco-jazz piano with bold electronic production, their set reimagined Spain’s musical heritage through a fresh and transformative lens.
Mochakk, the Brazilian house music phenomenon, returned to Sónar and showed exactly why he has become a global headliner in just a few years. His set was a passionate homage to the history of house, bridging generations through sound and energy, and confirming his reputation as both scholar and showman.
Todd Terry, a true pioneer of dance music, delivered a career-spanning set that reminded us why he's considered a legend. From his seminal tracks of the late ’80s to iconic remixes for Björk and Everything But The Girl, Terry’s performance was both a celebration of house music’s roots and a timeless call to the dancefloor.
Rounding out the day, Sarra Wild—curator, producer, sound designer, and DJ—brought a powerful close to the opening chapter of Sónar 2025. Originally from Glasgow and now based in London, she’s the force behind OH141, a platform that champions local talent and experimental sounds from across the global diaspora. Known for her commitment to non-Western rhythms and her inclusive ethos, Sarra invites emerging artists to join her on stage wherever she goes. In Barcelona, she did just that, reinforcing why her work resonates far beyond the booth.
Sónar Village. Photo: Martiniariel (Sónar).
As the first day of Sónar 2025 came to a close, it was clear that the festival remains a space where bold ideas and boundary-pushing sounds collide. Between thought-provoking conversations at Sónar+D and unforgettable performances across the stages, this edition is already carving out its own place in the festival’s rich history. With curiosity as our compass and creators as our guides, we’re just getting started.
Curious how this continuous? [Catch up on our Day 2 recap here.]
Share this post:
