Everything you need to know about UK’s most famous music festival
Once the tightly kept secret of music nerds Europe-wide, these days the Barcelona edition of Primavera Sound is one of the continent’s biggest music festivals. Known for its stacked line-ups, spectacularly picturesque setting on the Barcelona waterfront and a venue in the Parc del Forum that seems purpose-built for an urban festival, there’s a reason Primavera has such legendary status.
Every year Primavera Sound Barcelona seems to get bigger, but its appeal remains the same. The line-ups are still a phenomenal mix of straight-up legends and game-changing newcomers. The Parc del Forum is as well-equipped and laid-out as ever. And Barcelona remains, obviously, a marvellous host city perfect for a weekend (and more) of musical revelry.
And while, sure, plenty of other Primavera Sounds have popped up around the world, everywhere from Porto and Santiago to Los Angeles and Madrid, there’s nothing quite like the OG. So here’s all you need to know about Primavera Sound Barcelona in 2023, from the dates and line-up to tickets and access.
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When is Primavera Sound Barcelona 2023?
The 2023 edition of Primavera Sound Barcelona will take place from June 1 to June 3, though festivalgoers will also have access to Primavera a la Ciutat gigs in the city from May 29. This is a different set-up to the 2022 edition, which saw the festival held over two weekends.
How can I get Primavera Sound tickets?
Early bird tickets are available on the official website here and on ticketing platform Dice. Full-festival tickets and day tickets will go on sale December 1.
How much are tickets?
A standard full festival ticket costs €270 (£233, $282) including fees. If you would like to pay in instalments, it’ll cost a little more. VIP tickets and a joint ticket to also attend Primavera Sound Madrid cost €480 (£414, $500) and €430 (£371, $448), respectively. Barcelona residents can get discounted tickets.
How many tickets can I buy?
You can buy up to a maximum of four tickets on Dice.
What is the Primavera Sound Barcelona 2023 lineup?
2023’s headliners are Kendrick Lamar, Depeche Mode, Blur, Halsey, Rosalía and Calvin Harris but, as always, the beauty of Primavera Sound is in the depth of the line-up.
Look a little closer at the poster and you’ll see everything from synthpop legends Sparks and noisy indie poppers Alvvays to Brazilian psych pop icon Arthur Verocai and Swedish cloud rap collective Drain Gang. It is, as expected, totally stacked – find out the full line-up here.
How do I get to the festival?
Barcelona is served by one main airport, El Prat de Llobregat, though other airports at Reus and Girona aren’t too far away. The city is also served by several long distance coach companies (such as FlixBus and Megabus) and is well-connected by rail to both the rest of Spain and countries around Europe.
Once you’re in the city, Primavera Sound is at the Parc del Fòrum, which is on the T4 tram line and Line 4 on the subway. It’s also served by the H16, H14, 7, 136, V31 and 143 buses and the N6 and N7 night buses. Special shuttles also run from the Plaça Catalunya – see more about those here.
How can I watch the festival at home?
When the festival is on, Primavera usually streams certain performances live on its official website here. You can also watch old performances on the festival YouTube channel here.
