Sonar coming to London

London is to get a taste of Barcelona’s Sonar festival with two events booked for this weekend, both featuring some of the biggest hitters in dance music as well as participants in this year’s Red Bull Music Academy.

Sonar and Red Bull have developed a solid working relationship in recent years, with Red Bull curating an event of their own at last year’s festival in Barcelona. Now they’re returning the favour in London with a Taste of Sonar. Festivities will kick off this evening (Friday 5 th March) with an appearance by underground hip-hop’s mystery man DOOM who will be supported by the sublime and always innovative Matthew Herbert. Also pencilled for this evening’s line-up are Lex DJs, Ryoichi Kurokawa who will be performing one of his audio-visual spectaculars and funky main man Roska. The Red Bull Music Academy Presents Studio Theatre Stage will showcase some of the up and coming acts from this year’s Academy and will feature live sets from Katy B, Bruna, Lunice, Juan Son and DK sets from kidkanevil and Space Dimension Controller.

Saturday night will see house and techno god Laurent Garnier play one of his extraordinary live sets with genre defying beat masters Four Tet also on the bill. More interesting and experimental showcases will be performed by Edwin Van der Heide who will be treating the audience to a ‘laser sound’ performance, while over on the RBMA stage Hudson Mowhawke, AD Bourke, Ango and Monosyllabic will play live. And if you go, your likely to see exhibition stands promoting the various stages and artists.

oth events will be taking place at The Roundhouse and if you’re thinking of heading down tickets can be purchased in advance for both events from Resident Advisor Tickets.