Sónar announces new additions after 30 artists resign due to their connection to the Israeli fund KKR.

In 2017 , a very young Arca , a new queer phenomenon of the most experimental electronic and cabaret genre, took to the stage at Sónar. Her show was so resounding and spectacular that an unbreakable bond was created between the Venezuelan enfant terrible and the Barcelona festival. She returned in 2019 and 2022 and was set to be one of the Friday night headliners. At least until news of the Israeli investment fund KKR's involvement in the festival became known, and up to thirty people began to drop out. The latest, the prodigal daughter, Arca.

Despite the organization's repeated statements condemning "apartheid and genocide" against the Palestinian people in Gaza, completely disassociating itself from KKR as a backbone of the festival, the controversy has continued to grow, and the need for action has arisen.

For now, Sónar announced yesterday the addition of around twenty artists to complement the lineup following the highly publicized withdrawals. Among the announced artists are Modeselektor, the iconic Ángel Molina, and the British Plaid . In addition to these, there are Perel, Lucient, Noia, Quant, Amanda Mur, Ewan McVicar, Seoul Community Radio x ScreaM Records, Undo, Wallis, Dokku, Aerea, Menhir, yaboihanoi, Adrian Sherwood, p-rallei b2b, Tommy Gold, and Piere Kwenders.

In the era of communication 4.0, brand image is more important than ever, as a bad decision or public discredit spreads like wildfire. Sónar has sought to completely distance itself from the Israeli fund, to the point of asserting that they have "no relationship." So far, this hasn't worked. "We have a firm commitment to the ethical and moral principles that defend human dignity, justice, and fundamental rights," Sónar stated.

The truth is that music, always associated with youth reform movements, has taken sides with the Palestinian cause. For example, at yesterday's Primavera Sound concerts, more than one, two, and five artists shouted "Long live Palestine" from the stage. Support from the KKR fund is a very sensitive issue that has already affected other festivals such as Viña Rock and Resurrection Fest .

The problem arose when KKR acquired Superstruct Entertainment, which managed around 80 festivals, investing nearly €1.4 billion. It was also involved in, among others, FiB, Arenal Sound, and O Son do Camiño.

And it's not just electronic music that's been canceled. For example, the show that French DJ Rone and the collective (La) Horde were scheduled to do with the Ballet National de Marseille has also been pulled from the schedule. Along with them, Asia, Paquita Gordon, and Shau J. Wright have been among the latest to join the protest.

In recent days, in an attempt to stem the tide, Sónar has met with organizations such as Prou ​​Complicitat amb Israel and the Palestinian Community of Catalonia to demonstrate their support for the culture of peace "and the end of suffering in Gaza." "We will continue working to preserve spaces for freedom of expression, diversity, and democratic culture," the festival concluded.

The controversy has reached the political sphere. On Wednesday, the Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) groups in the Barcelona and Hospitalet de Llobregat city councils demanded that no public institution participate in the festival's development. "The connection between the KKR fund and the funding of some festivals such as Sónar or Brunch Electronik is incompatible with Barcelona's commitment to human rights," stated Rosa Suriñach, an ERC councilor at the City Council.

For now, no further changes are planned for the programming and structure of the festival, which kicks off in less than a week, from June 12th to 14th. Among the stars who will be there are Nathy Peluso, Plastikman , Richie Hawtin's alter ego, Peggy Gou, Four Tet, Eric Prydz, BICEP, and Max Cooper. These names include artists like Skrillex, Skee Mask, and Actress, among others. Furthermore, Sonar+D's workshops, conferences, and showcases, as well as the professional and research spaces, will continue as planned, although some have also been withdrawn.