Primavera Sound 2024: Must See Artists.

Primavera Sound 2024 is one of the most exciting festivals of the year, starting at the beginning of summer and festival season. Its lineup is packed with artists from all over the world, crossing multiple musical landscapes and having something to offer everyone. Some of our editors will be present at the festival; here’s a couple of the artists they’re most excited to watch.

Marcos: For me, the two main artists to watch at Primavera have to be SZA and Lana del Rey. After so many years of teasing SOS and delivering what might be one of the best R&B albums of the past decade, you can’t miss this set. If it’s anything close to what she has been offering at her SOS tour, this will probably be the weekend's most beautiful, energetic and mesmerising show. Also, being on the last day, I can not think of a better way to close the festival.

Lana, on the other hand, just headlined Coachella. Her set was a comeback to form, with beautiful stage design, outfits and a setlist that OG Lana fans, as well as newer ones, were more than satisfied with. I wonder if it’s going to be the same for Primavera. She is the most anticipated artist at this year's edition, selling out her day, something that still hasn't happened with any other days. As long as she arrives on time and delivers a classic performance, everyone will be happy. It will be a dream come true to hear ‘Video Games' live.

Amelia: I’m definitely with you on SZA. She has to be one of the most sought-after live acts at the moment, playing only one UK festival this year at BST Hyde Park. I’m over the moon that we get to catch her at Primavera.

Yet, one artist who’s even trickier to get a hold of is Jai Paul, who waited 12 years before playing his first-ever live show at Coachella last year. We get the opportunity to witness his magic at Primavera, and I can’t wait to hear the array of experimental music that he plays. His shows are known to be sensational and dream-like, with his first show in London last year gaining 5-star reviews all around. Under the summer sun, this set will be one to remember.

Marcos: A set from Jai Paul is as rare as a Frank Ocean one, so we'll be very lucky to experience that. Another set I am very curious about is FKA Twigs. We were supposed to see her at last year’s edition but she cancelled for unknown reasons, so I was very happy to see her in this year's lineup. What intrigues me the most is what vibe she is gonna go for. Is she gonna perform CAPRISONGS, keep the MAGDALENE set from past years or go with a completely new setlist with new songs now that she’s teasing new music dropping this year?

Amelia: Exactly… who knows what Twigs will do? Now we know she scrapped an entire album campaign that was leaked; there could be anything up her sleeve. The anticipation is killing me.

Another act I’m desperate to see is BADBADNOTGOOD, the alt-jazz ensemble from Toronto. Collaborating with artists such as Jungle, Kaytranada, Daniel Caesar, and Charlotte Day Wilson, this band’s production work is faultless, known for their modern take on Jazz and R&B. It’ll be interesting to see which songs they have on their set for 2024, as most of their tracks feature other artists. However, whatever songs they play, I’m sure they will go down sweetly with Primavera’s audience.

Marcos: Other sets I’m not planning on missing is first, The Last Dinner Party. This band became a global phenomenon overnight, and they totally deserve all their success. Their album has been on repeat for the past couple of months and I am sure they are gonna deliver one of the most eclectic performances of the festival. And then, Ethel Cain. I'm obsessed with everything she's put out yet and I know it’s gonna be a heartbreaking but beautiful set, definitely ready to cry with that one.

Amelia: Vampire Weekend will most likely be playing an incredible set on Primavera’s Thursday night, opening the festival. Their recent album, Only God Was Above Us, released at the beginning of April, has been said by critics to be their strongest album to date, receiving Pitchfork’s ‘Best New Music’. The songs are clean, experimental, optimistic, and indie to their core, defining the band’s career to now. I especially can’t wait to hear the single ‘Mary Boone’ live, after realising the song samples Soul II Soul’s ‘Back to Life’. This serves as yet another demonstration of the band's brilliance.

Marcos: They are definitely the most exciting set of the first day, which in my opinion might be the least exciting one of all three, sadly. This is purely based on taste though, because if you're a techno and rock fan, that day is definitely for you. Someone people need to check out is Nieve Ella. The team at under the radar have been following her years, and seeing her in this lineup makes us really happy. This will be a great introduction to a more international audience and I think her debut set at a festival of this scale. Very excited to see what she will offer, and I can already see us screaming her songs at the barricade.

Amelia: If we get to hear the new single she’s been teasing at her recent shows and on TikTok, it’s over for us. That song could skyrocket her to where she belongs amongst stars such as Wet Leg and Sam Fender. After being a fan of Nieve’s for a couple of years, I can’t wait to finally see her live and support her exceptional talent.

Primavera Sound 2024 will be a joyous weekend filled with incredible artists. Stay tuned to see what Amelia and Marcos witness at the festival in early June.