Sónar adds 20 new artists after cancellations over KKR controversy

The Sónar festival has announced around twenty new artists, including Modeselektor, Ewan McVicar, Ángel Molina, Plaid, Adrian Sherwood, and p-rallel b2b Tommy Gold. These additions come after about thirty artists pulled out of the event in protest against the festival's links to KKR, a fund with ties to Israel. In October 2024, KKR became the main investor in Superstruct Entertainment, which has owned Sónar since 2018. 

In response, Sónar has reiterated its support for the Palestinian people and its "total and unequivocal rejection" of the apartheid and genocide carried out by the Israeli government. 

Other new acts include Perel (hybrid set), Lucient, Noia, Quant, Amanda Mur, Seoul Community Radio x ScreaM, Undo, Wallis, Dokku, Aerea, Menhir, Adrian Sherwood, and Pierre Kwenders. 

The festival emphasizes that it strongly condemns the violence against Palestinians and distances itself from "any investor activity that goes against the festival’s values." It also notes it has "no influence or control over investments or decisions made by third parties." Sónar supports the Barcelona City Council's call for Fira Barcelona to stop hosting stands from the Israeli government and weapons companies. 

"A space for critical thinking" 

Sónar highlights that the festival has always aimed to be a space for "meeting, experimentation, and critical thinking." It states its firm commitment to ethical and moral values, including human dignity, justice, and fundamental rights. 

The organization says it has been in contact with 'Prou Complicitat amb Israel' (Enough Complicity with Israel), the Palestinian Community of Catalonia, BDS/PACBI, and various artists and cultural professionals. 

Sónar says it supports their long-term goals for peace and an end to the suffering in Gaza, while also working to ensure a safe space for culture and free expression.