Sonar Festival preview

Apparently more than a couple people in the electronic-music community – especially in the international sphere – think it’s more than a little odd we don’t have a concordant festival celebrating our role in house and industrial (line-dancing not so much).

Defying a century of unassertiveness, the Europeans are bringing Sonar Festival to us this weekend (the 9th through 11th). A cornerstone of Barcelona’s music scene, Sonar will debut here in cahoots with Tennessee-based AC Entertainment (the Bonnaroo people). According to the Chicago Tribune, Sonar hosted single-day events in New York and D.C. last year, though Chicago’s centrality (and nearness to Detroit, where electro still kinda rules) probably altered the organizers’ course. Chicago Cultural Center will host the “Sonar By Day” portion, including free films, panels, and interactive exhibits. The nighttime bookings (at venues like Metro, Congress, and Pritzker Pavilion) include Ben Frost, Black Devil Disco Club, Jimmy Edgar, Martyn, Kid Koala, Todd Osborn and more.

Visit www.sonarchicago.com for the full program.

— Steve Forstneger

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly