Barcelona. Once again, Barcelona. Even in August. No exception. The clubs of the Catalan capital didn’t hear about the summer break and, after an awesome OFF Week in July, and before an intense “back to school” in September, offer an eclectic program in this month of August. They are days of so much tourism, visits, comings and goings, and variety in the artistic proposals. In August, Barcelona presents techno, alternative house, EDM, electro and one of the most important dance electronics festivals of the year: DGTL Barcelona. Let’s go!
10. The Bloody Beetroots (dj set) and more @ INPUT High Fidelity Dance Club
Mix a classical training, an obsession with everything related to punk and rock stuff, and a sickly passion for electronic music. Stir well and, as a result, you’ll get the rock-meet-dance hybrid proposal from The Bloody Beetroots. This is how the group was brought to the world in 2006 by Sir Bob Cornelius Rifo. Almost 15 years later, its sound is still unique, unrepeatable. It’ll be interesting to discover in this dj set the main influences of the genius behind The Bloody Beetroots and how he manages to combine them with their best hits. This will be a nostalgic night at the club with Barcelona’s most powerful sound system. By the way, the party is on a Wednesday, but it’s the eve of a holiday.
When: Wednesday, August 14thWhere: INPUT High Fidelity Dance ClubLineup: The Bloody Beetroots and more
9. Erol Alkan and more @ Nitsa Club (Sala Apolo)
Not everyone can say (s)he has remixed New Order, Justice, Tame Impala, The Chemical Brothers, Daft Punk, MGMT or Metronomy. On top of all that, Erol Alkan runs the Phantasy label (where high-ranking producers such as Daniel Avery or Terr reside) and comes from being a big highlight at Sónar 2019. His passion for Barcelona brings him back in August to his favourite venue in town, Nitsa Club, to continue falling in love with the city with his eclectic proposal cooked on the frontiers between rock and psychedelic electronica.
When: Saturday, August 17thWhere: Sala ApoloLineup: Erol Alkan and DJ Coco
8. Don Diablo and more @ WEDJS (Opium Barcelona)
Like every August, Opium devotes its Wednesdays to the WEDJS sessions, in which it programs weekly the best DJs of the international mainstream scene. Don Diablo comes from performing in the mainstage of the biggest festivals of the EDM planet, like Tomorrowland or Ultra Music. With him, Barcelona will once again move to the paradise of electro-house and big-room music.
When: Wednesday, August 28thWhere: Opium BarcelonaLineup: Don Diablo, Frank Caro and Alemany
7. Deadmau5 and more @ Sutton Barcelona
Deadmau5 is undoubtedly one of the most influential producers of electro and dance music in the 21st century. Hymns like “Ghosts N’ Stuff” or “Strobe” have come out of his labyrinthine production studio. In addition, the Canadian is already a regular in the Augusts of Barcelona (we were in his session for WEDJS in 2018). This time, the historic Sutton, located in the upper part of the city, will host one of the most valuable DJing stars in the world.
When: Thursday, August 15thWhere: Sutton BarcelonaLineup: Deadmau5, Hektor Mass and Carlos Ramos
6. Kevin de Vries and more @ INPUT High Fidelity Dance Club
This young German producer already saw how one of his first works, the A Journey Through Life EP, got the support of artists like Adam Beyer or Richie Hawtin. Shortly later, he released music on Drumcode and Cocoon, before he recently found his real home on the Afterlife label (owned by Tale Of Us). His melodic techno, always accompanied by a very personal synth, will take over INPUT on this night when we’ll surely dance to great tracks like “Aratak” or “Phoenix”.
When: Friday, August 30thWhere: INPUT High Fidelity Dance ClubLineup: Kevin de Vries, Hitch and The Deals
5. Claptone and more @ Sight (Pacha Barcelona)
Hard to say anything about Claptone that isn’t already known. The DJ of the golden mask, who’s also the head of The Masquerade parties, revolutionized the deep house sound with “No Eyes” before becoming one of the best remixers in the tech-house field thanks to his editions of Gregory Porter’s “Liquid Spirit” or Ultra Nate’s and Roland Clark’s “The First Time Free”. With it, the madness is guaranteed. The conjurer will make Pacha Barcelona the place to be in the exact middle of August.
When: Sunday, August 11thWhere: Pacha BarcelonaLineup: Claptone, Oscar Akagy and Steve Bimbelan
4. DGTL Barcelona Official After-Parties @ Nitsa Club (Sala Apolo)
MUTEK, Primavera Sound, Cruïlla, Sónar… Barcelona never has enough with festivals. So, on the 23rd, 24th and 25th of August, the Parc del Fòrum will once again dress up to host AMP, Modular, Generator and Frequency, the four stages that will make up the sixth edition of DGTL in Barcelona. The Dutch festival has many of the best DJs from the international techno, tech-house and house spectrums, but it has the peculiarity that it ends at 3 am. Yes: there will be an after-party. The three days. At Nitsa Club. JMII will be the resident on Friday and Saturday, while on Sunday will be the legendary Barcelona’s selector DJ Rosario. Every day, a special guest DJ of the festival will also be there. A large attendance is expected, so we recommend getting an advanced ticket and ensure access.
When: August, Friday 23th, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25thWhere: Sala ApoloLineup: JMII, DJ Rosario and a daily Special Guest
3. Booka Shade and more @ The Loft (Razzmatazz Clubs)
In 2017, they presented live, also in Razzmatazz, their latest work Galvany Street. In fact, the duo Booka Shade have been on the top for more than a decade, since they burst in with “Mandarine Girl”, their first great ode to clubbing culture. Booka Shade’s sound is melancholic, solitary, dark and equally forceful. Some call it dark house or even electro, but melodic techno wouldn’t be a bad description either. The best thing is for everyone to discover it for themselves.
When: Friday, August 16thWhere: Razzmatazz ClubsLineup: Booka Shade and Baldo
2. Ben Klock and more @ Sight (Pacha Barcelona)
Did someone say techno? Then here we have double ration. Pacha’s electronic nights also surrender to the most industrial proposals of the European techno scene. And, if they do it, they do it properly. So, the 2 cherries club will have Ben Klock, a resident DJ of the most famous, influential and sought-after techno club in the world: Berghain. Their four-channel sessions are authentic masterclasses of mixing and improvisation at high revolutions. You’re listening to a dj set, but you might as well be listening to a live act of any top producer on the scene. Comfortable shoes and good physical condition are recommended.
When: Sunday, August 25thWhere: Pacha BarcelonaLineup: Ben Klock, Flug and Steve Bimbelan
1. Purple Disco Machine and more @ Disco Inferno (La Terrrazza)
Disco Inferno is the grooviest proposal of all those hosted by La Terrrazza or, which is the same, the only open-air nightclub in Barcelona. For its August date, the house and disco party brings Purple Disco Machine, a name that has been setting trends in these styles for years. Although they call themselves deep funk artists, their music ranges from disco or funk to the most forceful house. The German duo has managed to turn “Street Life” or “The Path” into works that will never sound old. Cheerful music, good vibes, an international and elegant atmosphere and ideal music to dance under the stars of Barcelona. This is, for us, the best party of August in town.
When: Friday, August 23thWhere: La TerrrazzaLineup: Purple Disco Machine and more
(Cover Image: © Shai Pal on Unsplash)