NEWS
EVENTS
Are You Off 2 Sonar?
House | Friday 30th May 2014 | Ando
Sonar festival is a 3-day festival split into two parts – Sonar by day, and Sonar by night. After celebrating its 20th anniversary last year, Sonar is a heavyweight on any calendar. Along with the Ibiza openings it can be classed as the ultimate start to the summer. In recent 1 and beyond has seen the blossom of ‘Off-week’. Promoters from all over the globe have been notoriously flocking to the Catalan city to throw parties before, during and after the official festival takes place. These parties are mostly unofficial, hence the name Off-Sonar.
Taking on the Off Sonar parties can be a real battle if you don’t know your stuff. It can sometimes feel like you are in a game of monopoly due to the cities landscape. You are constantly jumping from party to party, not really knowing where you are, or not spending enough time there. The whole week can feel a bit of a blur. I can’t help if you feel like an old boot at some point in your trip, but I can give advice on how to stay out of jail.
Firstly, here are some extensive tips on how to get the most out of your off-sonar experience:
1. Peter Piper picked his party’s properly.
It seems obvious, but choosing where you let your hair down over the course of the week is imperative. With such a wide selection, it is inevitable that you have to weave your way away from the crap. You need to be assertive. Parties have been known to get shut down regularly, which there is no preventing, but you can avoid the poor sound systems, nutty Italians and overpriced events on your own accord. Not to mention anbody who wears a beanie in that heat.
2. The more, the merrier.
It is important that you book up to stay with as many friends as possible, as close as possible. Because you are essentially partying in an entire city, everything is so vastly spread out. It is very easy to miss out on great memories with friends, because they are at a different party to you. Or on a completely different body clock because they smashed it the night you were taking it easy. In 2012, my best friend and I didn’t see each other for the entire week as we were staying at either sides of the city. Big bundles are advised.
3. There’s no party like a free party.
We all love something for nothing, so keep a look out for loads of unannounced events, pool parties or after’s.
4. Tickets, please.
The popular off-Sonar parties usually sell out before the week has started. This is a fact that those with lack of organizational skills and contacts for guest list dread. The best antidote for this is to follow my previous advice. Decide what parties you are going to, do your best to assure your entrance to them all (be it by purchasing advanced tickets, getting on the list or buying off someone online) and having everything in place for when you arrive. You don’t want to be paying over the odds for a ticket outside, or paying on the door.
5. Don’t forget to bring a Towel ;)
Okay, here is some help sieving through the density of parties there actually is, and help you dilute down to the ones worth going to.
Wednesday
There’s no point dipping your toes in the water; you might as well dive straight into the black ice. This year will see the ‘unofficial’ off-sonar timetable start at Razzmatazz. Heralded by DJ’s the world round, the Razzmatazz is to the Spaniards what Fabric is to the Londoners. There’s a tasty triple threat in Electric Minds, Mono_cult & Feel my Bicep collaborating over the course of the night. Move D and Bicep are the pick of the highlights, with Mr. Moufang turning out for the event for his 3rd year in a row. This will guarantee to properly kick off your week, and give you the mouth watering bonus of the Razzmatazz experience.
Thursday
On the presumption that you’ve rolled around on your apartment floor for a couple hours trying to go to sleep, my next tip would be to get down to the fruit market on Las Ramblas fruit market for a smoothie to get the much needed vitamins back in your body. Nobody won a war in one day. After getting the nutrients in you, head down to Half-baked at La Terrazza in the cooling evening sun. Getting pissed at the beach first with friends is always a good idea. If last years party is anything to go by, this could well be a highlight of 2014. I wouldn’t rinse it there, and instead would advise heading to Numbers for your evening’s entertainment. Redinho’s live set us sure to be a highlight, along with Space Dimension Controller and Jackmaster, two of the most skilled DJ’s on the planet.
Friday
This is when it can start kicking in hard, especially for the seasoned pros. That age old cliché about hangovers getting worse as you get older is only more annoying the more time you say it, but could well be the truest cliché of them all. There isn’t much to say about Friday apart from if you are not lost in a moment, you shouldn’t be going to sonar. The party I attended in 2012 singlehandedly put Innervisions to the top of the electronic music scene, in my opinion. The thing with people like Dixons sets, is that he only gets better with every time you see him. There are few DJs in the world, barring Prosumer, who are on that level. The monastery where this party is held is literally the perfect venue. I doubt even a visit from ‘la policia’ could ruin this party! With it finishing at 12, this is the perfect time to have the after party at your pad. There, I said it before everybody else did.
Saturday
Whatever you do, get yourself down to BeCool for Hyperdub to pay your respects for the late, great DJ Rashad. R.I.P.
Sunday
Although it is pretty overpriced when you get there, FACT music pool parties live up to expectations. This should be your pick of the pool parties and is a perfect way to relax if you have been going full throttle. Secret Sundays is the evening party you want to be going to for the perfect finish to your week. These guys have been throwing legendary parties for years. ON SUNDAYS. It is definitely worth checking out the Mixmag party at the W hotel, too. Last man standing…
Monday
Green Tea.
Words by Andrew Whitaker
