Five Acts Not to Miss at Primavera Festival 2024

With so many incredible artists it’s difficult to pick just five but you really don’t want to miss these.

There are less than 100 days to go until one of music’s biggest events of the year, and the anticipation is starting to ramp up. This year’s Primavera Festival in Barcelona has a sparkling line-up overflowing with some of the biggest names in pop and rock, as well as some of the most interesting, unique up-and-coming artists that should certainly be on your radar. Read on to hear the five acts Still Listening are most excited for and get that early summer feeling.

Mannequin Pussy

Philadelphia rock band Mannequin Pussy are known for energetic live shows that are loud, chaotic, and undeniably immersive. If you want to get a serious sweat on, their mix of barking, brutal lyricism and ripping guitar melodies will easily set the tone. Their third album, ‘I Got Heaven’, was only released on 1st March - try the opening single on for size for an indication of how this set might zap your energy right from your toes to your fingertips (and don’t let the cover art throw you off). As it says on Primavera’s website, you’ll like them if ‘you like to think that Julien Baker could be in a punk-pop band’, or if you like ‘Pixies when Kim sang and albums that get to the point and don't go over half an hour’. There’s a little something for everyone there, you must admit - short albums are good, refreshing. So are Mannequin Pussy. 

Yeule

Another artist that mentions Pixies in their ‘you’ll like them if…’ info is, surprisingly, Singapore-born performance artist, painter and musician Nat Ćmiel, also known as Yeule. A cult art icon, Yeule’s experimental songs turn the deepest recesses of the internet into dreamy genre-hybrid epics that transform pain through otherworldly imagery and punk sentimentality, such as line ‘I wanna eat your face’; I’m sure the visuals and the electronic influence will not disappoint either, if that’s your bag. A set, mercurial and mysterious, perfect to move to after a dip in the sea with a cold drink in hand, mind opened to twists, turns and surprises. The headliners are enticing of course, but festivals are a great place to find new artists that’ll blow up imminently. Look no further than Yeule.

Slow Pulp

For the perfect mixture of shoegaze, dream pop and indie rock that’ll serve up a platter of the most digestible alternative music at the festival, look no further than Chicago-bred four-piece Slow Pulp. Their 2023 album ‘Yard’ was released in September which means that the beautifully lamenting songs have yet to spread their wings to summer’s enticing tune. A set for swaying along and throwing impressed comments to your mate - ‘did she say this song is about period cramps, yeah? that’s wicked’ - Slow Pulp are a formidable and impressive band to see live. They come across as great people too. For a set to ground you in lovely vibes and lovely music, Slow Pulp are your safest bet. 

Model/Actriz

This is one we can vouch for first-hand: Model/Actriz are a dynamic rock band hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, known for their compelling blend of alternative rock, post-punk, and experimental sounds. Their set at Wide Awake festival last year went down a treat, bodies flailing under a bright heat; since then, the band have released a gloomy, dissonant single ‘Winnipesaukee’ which showcases the bands elastic range. They aren’t quite like anyone else - get yourself to a set and you’ll know what we mean.

Charli XCX

And finally, how could we not mention the icon herself? Charli XCX is a leading lady in all things pop, but her latest single ‘Von Dutch’ is more electronic-dance and just as fearlessly creative and immensely iconic. Her charisma is almost as big as her tunes, too. According to Primavera, Charli XCX perfectly reflects the calibre of musician that typifies the Primavera ethos, one ‘who is singled out as a headliner by the audience rather than by the industry’. Off the back of her massive track on the recent Barbie movie, Charli XCX is at the height of her career - what better time to see her shine than beneath the Spanish sun?

Register for your tickets here.