Sónar posts "Sónar is dead 1994–2026," then announces its 2027 edition
Sónar's October 27 "Sónar is dead 1994–2026" post set off speculation about the festival's future. Within a week it announced first artists and dates for a June 2027 edition. The festival has not explained the campaign in the coverage Foundation read.
On October 27, 2026, Barcelona's Sónar updated its website and social channels with the words "Sónar is dead" and the dates 1994–2026, according to 909originals and EDMTunes. Qué! reported that the festival's site carried a page titled "Libro de condolencias," a book of condolences, showing its logo, the dates and an invitation to leave farewell messages. The same report said there was no press release, statement or clarification of what the post meant.
Speculation followed. EDMTunes, in a piece dated October 29, weighed a farewell, a rebrand, a change of location, a new direction or a Halloween marketing campaign, and noted the festival usually reveals its lineup around November. According to 909originals, fans suggested it could be a rebrand or management change following criticism of the festival's ties to the investment firm KKR. Foundation has not seen any statement from Sónar or its owners addressing that, and the meaning of the post has not been explained by the festival in the sources reviewed.
The next development came on November 3. 909originals and Dork reported that Sónar had announced the first artists and dates for its 34th edition: June 17 to 19, 2027, in Barcelona. Sónar by Day is set to move to what Dork describes as the city's central waterfront, with the Sónar+D programme on the same site. Sónar by Night returns to Fira Gran Via on June 18 and 19 across four stages, SonarClub, SonarPub, SonarLab and SonarCar.
The first 30 artists are led by live acts including Bonobo, Tokischa, Yung Lean, Frost Children, Jessie Ware and Cornelius. The DJ bill includes Carl Cox, Peggy Gou, KI/KI, Romy, Oscar Mulero and Honey Dijon presents Sinister, according to Dork and 909originals. SonarPass and SonarPass+D tickets are on sale. 909originals headlined its report "Not dead yet" and described the 2027 edition as "reborn." Neither outlet attributes that framing to Sónar.
For context, EDMTunes reports the June 2026 edition drew about 150,000 attendees, with artists including Sammy Virji, Amelie Lens, Dom Dolla, Sara Landry and Charlotte de Witte. What the "dead" campaign was meant to signal, whether a marketing device or something about the festival's structure, remains Sónar's to explain.