1 of 7
2 of 7
The Mummers
Brighton group The Mummers visit Faraday as part of an extensive tour of the summer festivals: hear them on Saturday at 9.40pm3 of 7
The Lucksmiths
"They're stopping off here as part of their farewell tour" - catch them before they disappear: playing Faraday on Friday 3rd at 12.35am4 of 7
The Ruling Class
The London indie band play Faraday just a fortnight before their new single 'Sleeping Beauty/Marian Shrine' is released: they'll be on in the early hours of Sunday morning, 2.25am5 of 7
Ipso Facto
To hear the 'melodramatic' music of this all-female, London-based band, make sure you're at Faraday on Friday 3rd by 9.15pm6 of 7
Shugo Tokumaru
The alternative and experimental pop musician from Tokyo is playing at the festival on Saturday at 9pm7 of 7
The Divine Comedy
The Northern Irish band are at Faraday on Saturday evening and will be on stage at 11pmIf your idea of a summer festival is watching your tent float past you in the mud at Glastonbury, or baking in a concrete jungle at Summercase, you need to go to Faraday. This year’s line-up is as fabulous as ever but even if you’ve never heard of any of the bands, it doesn’t matter. The location is the real star of this show.
Now in its sixth year, this small but perfectly formed indie music festival takes place on July 3rd to 5th in the gardens of an old mansion in Vilanova i la Geltrú, a 35-minute train ride from Barcelona. “It’s an amazing location, right next to the beach”, said festival director Pere Agramunt, “we’re very lucky”. With a capacity of just over 1,000, Faraday is so friendly and familiar that bands love it almost as much as the fans. There’s space to lounge about on the grass between acts, and unlike other festivals, Spanish and Catalan acts get as much of a look in as international artists. Even better, the two stages are scheduled never to conflict with each other, so there are no painful decisions to make about who to see.
Barcelona’s own, seriously quirky and ultra-catchy Joe Crepúsculo headlines the Friday night, along with Australians The Lucksmiths, who stop off here as part of their farewell tour. Look out for much-hyped The Leisure Society, England’s answer to Fleet Foxes. Their twisted take on folk is perfect for a sunny day. Pamplona’s Half Foot Outside, who played a storm at Primavera Sound a couple of years back, are also worth a look.
No doubt The Divine Comedy will be the big pull on Saturday, but the rest of the line-up is pretty awesome too. Dorian, possibly Spain’s finest indie band, play an acoustic set and Manel’s infectious melodies, reminiscent of Beirut, are another highlight. Cross your fingers Manel play ‘La Gent Normal’, the strange living proof that Pulp lyrics sound even better in Catalan.
If that wasn’t enough, this year’s festival lasts an extra day, with a free public concert on the beach on Sunday featuring Gary Olson, Boatbeam and Songstore.
Click on the slideshow to find about other groups playing at Faraday this year...
PRACTICAL INFO: Absolut Faraday Festival
Dates: July 3rd to 5th
Advance ticket prices: €45 (two days)/ €25 (Friday)/ €35 (Saturday)
Available from: www.entradas.com and CD Drome, C/Valldonzella, Barcelona
Tickets purchased on the day: €30 (Friday)/ €40 (Saturday)
Where: Molí de Mar, Platja del Far, Vilanova i la Geltrú (the festival site is right next to Vilanova’s lighthouse)
For the full line-up and information on hotels and hostels, visit www.faraday.tv.