Sónar founders step away from the festival

The three original founders of Barcelona's Sónar music festival have stepped down from their roles.

According to La Vanguardia and confirmed by the Catalan News Agency (ACN), Enric Palau, Ricard Robles, and Sergio Caballero have completely severed their ties with the festival.

The founders had already sold most of their shares in 2018 to the promoter Superstruct Entertainment but had remained in charge of the festival's direction. Now, 32 years after founding it, they have fully disengaged.

Belgian François Jozic, founder and head of Brunch Electronik, has been named the new CEO.

The leadership change comes after a controversial edition last year, when thirty artists boycotted the festival due to its links with an investor group accused of ties to Israel.

Despite the controversy, the festival drew over 161,000 spectators, 7,000 more than in 2024.

The new leadership also arrives amid uncertainties about the next edition, which will mark a new era for Sónar.

So far, the only confirmed details are that the festival will take place from 18 to 20 June and will be held in a single location, Fira Gran Via in L’Hospitalet.

The upcoming edition will unify all events (Sónar Day, Sónar Night, and Sónar+D) under one roof.