One thing we want to make clear: this guide is “apart from the OFF Week”. From July 14th to 21st, Barcelona becomes the world centre of electronic music. Parallel to the 26th edition of Sónar Festival, all clubs, rooftops, beach clubs and other spaces in Barcelona host many of the most important artists in the scene (you can check all that information in our OFF Week Guide).
However, both in the two weeks before and in the week after, Barcelona will also dance electronic music. Among all the options, in Xceed we have highlighted you 10 (+1). You will see that there is a bit of everything, including (sure) what you are looking for.
10. Serge Devant and more @ NOM (Bikini Barcelona)
Influenced by Jean Michel Jarre, Depeche Mode and other big names, as well as a big influence for icons like Hot Since 82 or Jamie Jones. That’s more than enough to define Serge Devant. The New Yorker is a classic of groove and deep house sound, the sound that characterizes the NOM party. His performance is one of the big days of the month at Bikini.
When: Saturday, July 13thWhere: Bikini BarcelonaLineup: Serge Devant, Alex Kennon and Isa Rojas
9. Nick Höppner and more @ Jackies (La Terrrazza)
The German Nick Höppner doesn’t arrive in Barcelona with no guarantee. He’s a resident DJ at Panorama Bar, the upper space of the morbid Berghain. This says a lot about his house proposal, one of the most interesting on the scene. He will be the special guest of Jackies, a house music promoter of Barcelona that, during the summer, will have 3 dates at La Terrrazza, the only open-air nightclub in the city. Unbeatable equation.
When: Saturday, July 13thWhere: La TerrrazzaLineup: Nick Höppner and Lexlay
8. GusGus and more @ RazzClub (Razzmatazz Clubs)
When you think of Icelandic electronic music, you mainly remember Björk, Ólafur Arnalds, his duo Kiasmos with Janus Rasmussen… and, of course, GusGus. Founded in 1995, this electronic music group has undergone many changes in its formation. Currently, it is formed by Stephan Stephensen and Birgir Þórarinsson, two geniuses who, show after show, deconstruct the soundscapes of one of the most influential electronic music bands of the last decades. GusGus owed us a visit to Barcelona after the cancellation of their last concert. And yes, we will finally have them at the RazzClub, the main hall of Razzmatazz.
When: Saturday, July 6thWhere: RazzmatazzLineup: GusGus, Buenavista and Amable
7. Locked Groove & Mama Snake @ Nitsa Club (Sala Apolo)
It’s not an ordinary day at Nitsa Club. Only the downstairs room, the cosiest and underground of the enclosure, will be opened. There, in Astin, lovers of acid techno, breaks and electro will dance to the skilful Mama Snake, while the eclectic Belgian producer Locked Groove will continue to give master classes in mixing house and techno sounds.
When: Friday, July 12thWhere: Sala ApoloLineup: Locked Groove and Mama Snake
6. Bambounou and more @ The Loft (Razzmatazz Clubs)
When one has published on Modeselektor’s 50 Weapons label or the prestigious Whities and is regularly invited to play records on Berghain, Concrete, De School, Freerotation, MoMA, PS1 and Nuits Sonores, it means something. Jeremy Guindo is from France, Mali and Poland. Or from nowhere at once. He’s considered a musical independent for not rejecting tribal sounds, while his UK Techno and IDM build friendships with the 4×4. He is popularly known as Bambounou and he will be in charge of closing the month at The Loft.
When: Saturday, July 27thWhere: RazzmatazzLineup: Bambounou and Pedro Vian
5. Kiasmos (dj) and more @ Locked (INPUT High Fidelity Dance Club)
We referred to the Icelandic scene before, and we must consider that Kiasmos will also be in Barcelona this July. We should speak in singular because Locked will have again the DJ version of the duo, interpreted by the great Janus Rasmussen. His imperious mastery of melodies makes his tracklists one of those treasures that are hard to decipher. In this new monthly date with Locked, you will be able to discover it by yourself.
When: Friday, July 12thWhere: INPUT High Fidelity Dance ClubLineup: Kiasmos (dj), Julì and Vallant
4. Robin Schulz and more @ WEDJS (Opium Barcelona)
Summer is synonymous with WEDJS, the session that Opium programs on Wednesdays with the best headliners of the mainstream electronic scene. Among other dates with big names such as Martin Garrix or Steve Aoki, stands out in July the one with Robin Schulz, a German producer in whose deep house, harmonic components such as the piano or the saxophone have always played leading roles.
When: Wednesday, July 31stWhere: Opium BarcelonaLineup: Robin Schulz and more
3. Francesco Tristano (live) and more @ Onírica (INPUT High Fidelity Dance Club)
Luxembourg’s Francesco Tristano is undoubtedly one of the most famous keyboards on the international clubbing scene. Tristano has managed to merge his conservatory training on this instrument with his passion for club-oriented electronic music. The result of the equation is a unique agent in the world, a guy who brings together attentive listeners and clubbers in each of his gigs. It will be especially curious to see him at INPUT, one of the most imposing underground music clubs in Barcelona.
When: Saturday, July 13thWhere: INPUT High Fidelity Dance ClubLineup: Francesco Tristano (live), Molecule (live) and Hitch
2. Helena Hauff and Umwelt (live) @ Nitsa Club (Sala Apolo)
From Hamburg to the world. Although neither her look nor her attitude is that of a star, it is undeniable that German Helena Hauff is currently one of the most demanded DJs in the rave scene. Her sessions, always executed with enviable precision, combine darkwave with acid, EBM, techno, electro and all the industrial material that goes through her head. Along with her, will also be Umwelt, author of one of the most striking rave live show of the last 5 years. All will happen in Astin, the downstairs room at Nitsa Club.
When: Friday, July 26thWhere: Sala ApoloLineup: Helena Hauff and Umwelt (live)
1. Eric Prydz and more @ WEDJS (Opium Barcelona)
We highlighted Robin Schulz, but the truth is that we couldn’t give the big date of the month to anyone but this man. The different evolutions of his EPIC show, his always surprising productions under his different aliases and his eclectic sessions make the Swede Eric Prydz one of those artists who cover everything, whether mainstream or underground. The progressive house is his great sign of identity, but techno, minimal and big-room electro-house are sure to have their moments in this WEDJS night.
When: Wednesday, July 10thWhere: Opium BarcelonaLineup: Eric Prydz and more
(Cover Image: © Drew Ressler)