Portugal’s Optimus Primavera Sound is nearly upon us – a sister festival to Barcelona’s Primavera Sound, Optimus boasts the same careful curation of it’s predecessor, revealing a line-up that reflects the endless scope that tools such as the internet has given to fans across the world.
From May 30th to June 2nd the Parque Da Cidade in Porto, Portugal will host a comprehensive range of artists, from legendary live bands to DJs, electronic acts and more personal, experimental offerings. It’s a line-up that stands up to any major festival, ensuring the second installment of this still fledgling festival will deliver an all-encompassing experience.
Below are a few choice selections across the three days and four stages that aren’t to be missed:
- Thursday May 30th:
- Dead Can Dance – 2012’s Anastasis broke the 16-year silence for this utterly unique Australian duo, whose initial 80s output helped define the still evolving 4AD. They’re a band steeped in mysticism, culture and literature, and when coupled with their escape from conventional pop structures it points to a truly thrilling live experience.
- James Blake – An artist whose distinctiveness increases with every release, Blake, like so many others, found solace and inspiration with the early dubstep propagated by DMZ. With second album Overgrown recently released and a band in accompaniment, it’d be a huge shame to miss out on a delicate and highly atmospheric encounter.
- Friday June 1st:
- Fuck Buttons – One of the most adventurous, exciting acts to emerge from anywhere over the last decade, Fuck Buttons marry a certain vulgarity and undiluted power with accessibility through sweeping melodies and sequences. One of the more abrasive live acts on the bill – intense would be an understatement.
- Four Tet – A globally celebrated and renowned UK artist, few need introduction to Kieran Hebden’s musical output. One of the best selectors operating today, expect a blend of techno, abstract electronica, folk and jazz to influence a wonderfully refreshing set.
- Saturday June 2nd
- Dan Deacon – Back in 2007 Dan Deacon’s set at Pitchfork Festival was actually shut down due to raucousness. The Baltimore native is known for creating an inviting atmosphere for his attendees, and his mad, genre-bending sets make his appearance an essential contribution to the festival.
- My Bloody Valentine – Seduction isn’t what we’re looking at here. MBV don’t do seduction, at least live. Assault would be a more appropriate word. It says something when earplugs are handed out before a performance. Kevin Shields and his cohorts will be blasting the sound they patented over two decades ago, and with 2013s near-flawless MBV also on the agenda, it’s compulsory attendance.