The Cure, Doja Cat, and The XX headline Primavera Sound 2026

BarcelonaThe Cure, Doja Cat, The XX, Gorillaz, Addison Rae and Kneecap are some of the main attractions of the next edition of Primavera Sound, which will be held at the Parc del Fòrum from June 3 to 7, 2026, although the festival has not yet detailed its programming segregated by days and stages. The British group The Cure, which in 2024 published the magnificent album Songs of a lost world, returns to the festival with carte blanche: he will be able to give as long a concert as possible, according to sources at Primavera Sound. That is, just as it happened in the 2012 edition. They then starred in one of the most countercultural moments in the history of Primavera Sound. In the context of a festival where concerts barely reach 90 minutes, the British group led by Robert Smith performed for almost three hours, finishing with the performance of Boys don't cryThis gift for music lovers took place on June 1, 2012, at the Parc del Fòrum. The only previous performance at the Barcelona festival was Neil Young, who had monopolized a two-and-a-half-hour time slot five years earlier. With a 50-year career, it's inevitable that The Cure's concerts evoke nostalgia, as happened. three years ago at the Palau Sant JordiHowever, Robert Smith also understands music as an expression of his present, which is what he did in Songs of a lost world.

According to the hierarchy marked by the body of the letter and the order of the poster, the second in relevance, at least for the festival, is Doja Cat, who will debut in Barcelona with the endorsement of both the most pop side of the album Planet her (2021) as the most hip-hop root of Scarlet (2023), and, of course, with love in the eighties Fri (2025). The third headliner in discord is the British group The XX, emblems of the indie club and sufficiently faithful to Primavera Sound. The return to Barcelona will coincide with the release of a new album, their first since 2017, which they will present at the Californian festival Coachella on April 10. Other names scheduled for Coachella that will also be performing at Primavera Sound are Blood Orange, Ethel Cain, Dijon, Lambrini Girls, Little Smiz, Rusowsky, Yousuke Yukimatsu and two of the pop sensations of the season: the North American Addison Rae, one of the artists who best understood pop The Tik PinkPantheress, author of the notable tribute to UK garage Fancy that (2025). The top of the lineup is completed by Gorillaz, the project launched 25 years ago by Damon Albarn, who will perform in Barcelona shortly after releasing the album. The mountain, scheduled for March 2026, and which will include collaborations with Idles, Sparks and Bizarrap, among others; Albarn is a regular at the Fòrum: a few months ago he was there, within the Cruïlla programming, with the Africa Express project.

The Palestinian Connection

Of the rest of the festival's program (more than 150 concerts at both the Fòrum and different venues in Barcelona), it is worth highlighting the presence of Massive Attack, who after several performances at Sónar will finally make their debut at Primavera Sound. The Bristol group's determination to support Palestine and oppose the genocide being committed by the Israeli government in Gaza suggests that it will be difficult for them to return to Sónar while the festival remains in the hands of the Israeli fund KKR. Palestine is the thread that unites other names at Primavera Sound. For example, the Palestinian DJ Sama Abdulhadi, who was one of the artists who canceled her performance at Sónar 2025Or the Irish trio Kneecap, whose member is awaiting trial in the United Kingdom. accused of glorifying terrorism for displaying a Hezbollah flag at a concert; In addition, Kneecap is banned from entering Hungary and has had to cancel performances in Canada. Primavera Sound gives confidence to the Irish trio, who were part of the city's lineup in 2025 (memorable concert at the Apollo) and that in 2026 they will repeat at the festival, but in the Fòrum venue.

From Bad Gyal to Ósserp's Catalan metal

Year after year, Primavera Sound strives to connect with the musical reality of Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012). Last year, it was a huge program. Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan with headliner status. In 2026, the bet is not as resounding, but it is broad enough, with names like Addison Rae and the also British Lola Young, propelled to success thanks to the song Messy. And in the Catalan sphere, with Ouineta, Rojuu and Bad Gyal, from whom the festival promises a special show.

Despite the general rejuvenation of the lineup, the festival maintains a good relationship with its more distant or recent past. In this context, we must understand that it programs emblems of the British indie scene that emerged in the eighties such as My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive, veteran indomitable beasts of the industrial scene like the Germans Einstürzende Neubauten (The memory of the 2022 show still resonates.) and even the 21st-century indie-folk of the Americans Big Thief or the indie rock of the British Wet Leg.

The festival also reserves space for more aggressive electric guitars, such as those of Texas is the Reason, the New York band who, after a long hiatus, are playing again to coincide with the thirtieth anniversary of the album Do you know who you are? (1996), and which at the festival will be able to dialogue with the post-hardcore of Californians Touché Amoré. Or like those of Knocked Loose, powerful metalcore from Kentucky. The metal side of Primavera Sound also includes the deathgrind of Barcelona's Ósserp, who were one of the stars of the first edition of the Catalan metal festival Cataluña Triunfante which was held on September 11th at the Paral·lel 62 venue, and which will have a second edition next year. Yes, extreme metal in Catalan at Primavera Sound.

The long list of names at Primavera Sound 2026 also includes the legend of Japanese noise Merzbow, the even more legendary Underground Resistance (pioneers of Detroit techno), the Puerto Rican duo Buscabulla (connected with Bad Bunny), Peggy Gou (who on November 15th headlines an electronic event at the Parc del Fòrum), and representatives of the Afrofeado movement such as the American Amaarae (the author of magnificent album Fountain baby of 2023), and neosoul, like Chicago singer Ravyn Lenae.

The image of the 2026 Primavera Sound edition plays with the Olympic rings and the typically Barcelona panot. In other words, two elements closely linked to the city of Barcelona, ​​​​as if Primavera Sound wanted to strengthen Barcelona's identity precisely when it has to renew its contract with the City Council to continue at the Parc del Fòrum and on the marine platform from 2027. Season tickets for all days of the festival will cost 311.50 euros for 6 and 3 days starting September 30.