Top 10 bands at Optimus Primavera Sound
- By Greg Rose -
- Jun 07, 2012
Primavera Sound has graduated from a small festival in Barcelona to an internationally-renowned taste-making event. This weekend, it hits Porto for a spin-off boutique festival that is set to give its big brother a run for its money. Here's the top 10 bands playing Optimus Primavera Sound...
10. Suede
Brett Anderson's reformed Britpop heroes were always the sauciest and the sexiest of the 90s genre explosion, and it's still the case all these years on. 'Animal Nitrate', 'Trash', 'Beautiful Ones', come gather around for the sleaziest sun-tinged pop this side of Jarvis Cocker's walking stick.
9. The Rapture
The Rapture are positively made for playing ungodly hours at European festivals, ready to unleash an arsenal of feel-good cowbells on unsuspecting audiences. Worth seeing for 'House of Jealous Lovers' alone.
8. The Flaming Lips
Wayne Coyne brings his giant hamster wheel to Optimus Primavera. Prepare for surreal stage antics and singalongs, stage invasions - and the odd good tune tossed in for good measure.
7. Washed Out
Breezing onto the Optimus Primavera line up is Washed Out. Their blissed out indie may not translate so sweetly live as it does on record, but there's only one way to find out...
6. Erol Alkan
It's 3am, you're at a festival and the urge to dance is uncontrollable. Who do you want to see wandering over to the decks? Erol Alkan and is ever-reliable box of tricks, that's who.
5. Lee Ranaldo
When someone, anyone from Sonic Youth is in the vicinity, you go listen. When it's Lee Ranaldo, even better. With a new solo record to plug and a lifetime of licks to call upon, we're anticipating quite a show.
4. Chairlift
Pop music isn't usually like this. Hipster synth-pop from deepest darkest Brooklyn - but with hooks you can sing and beats you can move to. There's nothing old-fashioned about these guys.
3. Jeff Mangum
The Neutral Milk Hotel survivor and man it is impossible to mention without saying the word 'reclusive' will be peering into the sun at a tiny Optimus Primavera gig. Get there early or you won't get in.
2. Beach House
Their new album is almost as glorious as their last, and a late night set in Porto by the sea should be just the ticket for any bleary-eyed festival-goers seeking an hour of solace at Optimus.
1. The xx
It's been so long since The xx actually released their Mercury Prize-winning album that you may be just about ready to listen to it again. After such saturation of the airwaves, it's easy to forget just how beautiful a record the xx produced. And this is one of the first chances to hear their new material...
By Greg Rose. Content Manager. Tweets @greglrose and blogs at greglrose.com
