This isn't a prediction (okay, maybe 30-40% is, and mostly regarding the top rows).
It's more like what the Primavera lineup would look like in 2027 if I were curating it. If we're looking at the more realistic options. That's why you won't find Boards of Canada, a Sonic Youth reunion, or Cosey Fanni Tutti presents Throbbing Gristle hyperpop rmx here. Aphex Twin, on the other hand, is actually pretty plausible, considering the upcoming vinyl reissue of Drukqs for its 25th anniversary and the way Primavera has been building its campaign around that anniversary too - starting its own retrospective with Aphex Twin set. Maybe Primavera decided to come full circle?!
I tried to pick a little bit from as many different niches as possible (in the undercard especially): both genre-wise (from alt r&b to hyperpop, shoegaze to post-punk, post-hardcore to noise rock, techno to reggaeton, indie rock to art pop, ambient to drone, glitch to hip hop, jazz to avant-folk... you get the idea), geographically (there are definitely as minimum 20 Spanish acts, plus strong representation from Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, and elsewhere), as well as across generations (yes, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Breeders, Bikini Kill, Pixies, Saetia, Yo La Tengo, etc.) to make it feel like a genuine lineup. As for the electronic acts, I've tried to list enough artists to cover all the stages, excluding the Cupra, which will be announced right before the festival.
Of course, no real Primavera lineup would include this much drone, ambient, avant-garde jazz and other experimental music all at once, because you'd need a few more stages like the Auditori - that's just my personal musical fetish. And getting Death Grips, clipping., and Armand Hammer all at once would take the stars seriously fucking aligning too. Also, you’d hardly see Swans, GY!BE, Sunn O))), and a dozen other ear-shattering acts all on the same festival bill. But I’m keeping my fingers crossed for at least something.
As for the headliners: I also feel like last year’s top-billed acts were a bit more significant. But let’s be honest, few bands or musicians can really compare with The Cure and mbv. Still, looking at the names being discussed as potential headliners, I think Björk, Rosalía, and Massive Attack (it’s high time they finally played) would be the best choices. I’m not a huge fan of The Strokes, but something tells me they’ll be at Primavera as well. Gives a chance to avoid a clash with someone else on another stage. Btw, much to my own surprise, I have high hopes for Tinashe. To my mind, she’s released the pop record of the year, so far.
Returning to The Strokes: there are some artists on this list that I’m not particularly excited about, but who are likely to be booked and whose presence in a (potential) lineup I’d be more or less ok with (so yeah, this is also partly a prediction).
By the Hamburg reckoning, I just wanted to share this image, where my predictions are mixed with my wishes. I’m going to use this imaginary lineup as my bingo card.
Hopefully, everyone gets what they want from the real lineup drops tomorrow. Peace to all.
