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Sónar 2026 breaks with its historic format and completely transforms the festival
Sónar is preparing one of the most far-reaching transformations in its history in Barcelona. For the first time, the 2026 edition is abandoning the classic separation between Sónar de Día and Sónar de Noche to concentrate all activity at Fira Gran Via, in l’Hospitalet. The change is not merely logistical: it completely redefines how the festival is experienced.
The new management, led by François Jozic, wants to turn the event into a continuous, more flexible and less fragmented experience. Attendees will be able to move between stages without interruptions or transfers between venues, something that had for years been part of the festival’s identity, but also of its complications.
Each space changes function and scale. SonarVillage adapts to accompany both the first hours of the afternoon and dawn. SonarPark gains prominence outdoors and retains its focus on emerging artists, while SonarLab opts for an immersive format with a central stage and 360-degree sound surrounded by the audience. SonarClub, one of the festival’s most iconic spaces, completely renews its audiovisual system with moving screens and new lighting configurations.
One of the major attractions will be a 900-square-metre interactive installation located in the main pavilion. The structure, made up of 700 synchronised motors, will react in real time to movement and the atmosphere of the venue, constantly transforming throughout the day and night. The organisers present it as a kind of “living organism” within the festival.
The other major change affects Sónar+D. The section dedicated to innovation, artificial intelligence and digital culture leaves the Fira and moves to the Llotja de Mar. Nearly a hundred activities will be held there over two days, including talks, workshops and performances focused on the impact of technology on everyday life and artistic creation.
The parallel programme is also expanding across Barcelona. OFFSónar will continue in Poble Espanyol, Parc del Fòrum will host new activities under the name SonarDistrict and the Moog club will hold special sessions coordinated by Angel Molina. The festival thus wants to strengthen its presence beyond the main venue and extend the atmosphere of Sónar to different parts of the city.
Some internal rules much discussed by the public in recent years are also changing. The cashless system is disappearing, there will be free water fountains, more rest areas and people will be allowed to enter and leave the venue more freely. In addition, attendees will be able to bring their own food, something uncommon at festivals of this size.
Among the artists already confirmed are names such as The Prodigy, Charlotte de Witte, Amelie Lens, Kelis, Skepta, Modeselektor and Cabaret Voltaire, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a special performance. Beyond the names, this edition seems to focus on something else: reinventing the relationship between music, technology and the city. And turning Barcelona, once again, into one of the great cultural showcases of the European summer.