The Primavera Sound of records kicks off with the three queens of new mainstream pop: Charlie XCX, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan.

There are two cities in Barcelona these days. If Rome has the Vatican, here is the Forum's Primavera Sound , a 300,000-square-meter space on the seafront, next to Sant Adrià beach. The great mecca of contemporary pop is ready to welcome 290,000 people from 136 countries to enjoy its 244 concerts , 311 if you count the parallel concerts in the rest of the city. The numbers are staggering, of course, but the desire for it to begin is even more intense.

This year, the lineup's big leitmotif is the new faces of mainstream pop divas. Charlie XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan are the undisputed headliners of a festival that no longer distinguishes between mainstream and indie music. In the age of streaming, everyone consumes en masse, and making distinctions is ridiculous. Theirs are the most anticipated concerts. At a festival with 15 stages, we regret the artists who overlap with these three titans.

But the contemporary music lover doesn't live off mass phenomena alone. The festival will also feature major guitar bands like Fountains DC, Idles, and Turnstile . There will be room for muscle-bound hip-hop with Central Cee, Denzel Curry, and the diverse Aminé. Of course, there will be room for classic bands from the golden age of indie like Spiritualized, Jesus Lizard, LCD SundSystem, and Kim Deal, the former member of the Breeders and Pixies.

After Wednesday's free session, dominated by electronic music from Caribou, alongside Madrid-based Hinds and La Casa Azul, Thursday marks 'Brat Thursday'. Charlie XCX , accompanied by her late inseparable friend Troye Sivan, will present the album that topped every best-of-the-year list. 'Brat' is a collection of amphetamine-fueled hyperpop anthems where electronic music becomes both assertive and liberating. Sixty percent of the audience is foreign, and that's never more evident than when Charlie takes the stage.

The rest of the day's highlights include FKA Twigs ' otherworldly voice and hypnotic atmospheres. Other artists who released one of the albums of the year in 2024 were Magdalena Bay , who will showcase their nuanced electronic pop. Let's hope they retain their nuances live.

For the rest of the day, we recommend checking out new indie phenomena like Beabadoobee , the powerhouse of Cassandra Jenkins , or the Australian madness of Parcels . It will also be a day of electronic nostalgia. The king of this genre will be Jamie XX . The x always shows the way at Primavera Sound.

One of the bad news this year was the cancellation of Clairo for this Friday, but there are alternatives, and very good ones. Who hasn't heard "Espresso"? The omnipresence of Sabrina Carpenter 's signature song is something to study in college. But there's something to it, that's undeniable. The singer will showcase her many numbers in a concert full of playful, unapologetic pop.

Along with her, Friday will also bring the Haim sisters, who return to the stage with more vitality and charm than ever. The dream pop of Beach House , the vibrant indie of Wet Lag , Belgian DJ Amelie Lens, and Spaniards Carolina Durante will be other sure bets for the day.

And let's not forget the interesting facts. For example, you'll be able to see Cat Power at the Primavera Auditorium performing her covers of iconic Bob Dylan songs. Who knows, maybe even Timothy Chalamet will make an appearance. Finally, it wouldn't be a bad idea to end the day with The Floating Points .

Saturday will be Chappell Roan's turn . This queer phenomenon has crossed all boundaries with her resounding hit " Good Luck, Baby." An '80s vibe, catchy melodies, and meticulous production blend to bring color and joy to any space, even the dreary gray of Forum Park. Joining her, but on the sad side of life, will be Anohni and the Johnsons .

Other highlights to check out this evening include Black Country's live performance, New Road . We'll see if they can replicate the colorful mix of sounds of these young geniuses. We'll also see the Spanish band Judeline , the din of the thousand members of The Campesinos!, and the new darling of indie and alternative country, MJ Lenderman .

Finally, keep an eye out for the masked psychedelia of Glass Beams and the veteran Destroyer . In short, three intense days of music that perfectly epitomize what we hear today. Tickets and season tickets sold out in January, a record that demonstrates the appeal of an edition that plans to go beyond the cliché and truly break all records.