Sónar+D calls for hands-on engagement with technology in new edition

Sónar's innovation and technology congress, Sónar+D, will have a new venue at Llotja de Mar in central Barcelona on June 18 and 19, with morning and afternoon activities.

The festival has revealed a program that encourages audiences to actively engage with technology rather than passively consume it. This year's edition wants to examine culture and tech through a "critical, constructive, and optimistic" lens.

Three central themes structure the lineup: 'AI & Music' in a post-AI landscape, 'Beyond the Screen,' which looks at making digital creation more tangible and human, and 'Digital Gardens and Dark Forests,' a reflection on alternative futures for an internet increasingly shaped by commercial forces. 

During two days, the event will bring together creativity, innovation, and critical thinking through a wide range of formats.

The program includes talks, lectures, and roundtables with leading thinkers and experts, along with workshops led by artists and technologists sharing their tools and creative processes. 

An exhibition component will showcase interactive installations throughout the Llotja de Mar, with a new extension at Fira Gran Via during Sónar's nighttime music program. 

Community participation is also a key focus, with initiatives designed to involve diverse groups directly in the experience, as well as live performances blending music, choreography, and digital art.

Among the featured speakers are Australian brand consultant Eugene Healey, known for merging strategy and culture, Yancey Strickler, a supporter for artist autonomy in the digital space, and new media artist Mónica Rikić, recognized for her exploration of robotics. 

The program also includes a collective reading of 'A Sexual History of the Internet' led by writer and technologist Mindy Seu, alongside contributions from Catalan artist and researcher Joana Moll. 

Workshops will be led by groups including Desilence, Keiken, 0xSalon, and Chia Amisola. 

Live performances will feature experimental proposals from Evicshen, a collaboration between Fitnesss and Riusforza, and producer Shoeg. The AI & Music program will include Dadabots and a new version of the 'Piano & AI' project with pianist Ignasi Terraza.

Installations at Llotja de Mar will include projects from Arts Korea Lab, a 12-pendulum audiovisual piece by Superbe, and a robotic LED work by Volvox Labs with OFFF Barcelona.

For the first time, Sónar+D will offer separate and more affordable tickets, allowing it to be experienced independently or alongside the main music festival Sónar at Fira Gran Via.