Electronic music in its multitudinous, diverse forms is at the heart of Sónar Lisboa in 2023.

The highlights of this first announcement are a series of AV shows that showcase the variety of modern dance music. There’s Folamour’s euphoric celebration of house music; a cinematic and visceral techno experience created especially for Sónar Lisboa by I Hate Models; and Max Cooper’s immersive performance based on his most recent album ‘Unspoken Words’.

And as always, there are DJ sets of all shades at Sónar Lisboa 2023. Mochakk is one of the brightest stars of current house music, while VTSS offers a radical mix of hardcore, EBM, trance, and even hints of pop. Also present are cosmic voyager Acid Pauli and Or:la’s classy combination of UK bass, breakbeat, and techno.

And there’s room for some of the most exciting live acts around. Headlined by KiNK’s energetic mix of house and techno; there’s also a special hardware-based live set from techno overlord Héctor Oaks; and WhoMadeWho’s combination of electronic music, jazz and rock.

Joining them are Cinthie, with her modern vision of classic house; DJ Nigga Fox, who fuses music from the Portuguese diaspora with contemporary electronics; and local group Sensible Soccers, whose pop melodies are built using both guitars and synthesisers.
 

Back-to-backs return in force at Sónar Lisboa this year. Astra Club, the pairing of DJ Tennis and Carlita, wander through the emotional side of electronic music; while Violet b2b Photonz represent the Portuguese house and techno underground. Elsewhere, two indispensable pairings from the UK, SHERELLE b2b Kode9 and Skream b2b Mala, will cover the past, present and future of bass music.

Finally, local heroes such as Rui Vargas and Yen Sung, veteran advocates for dance music in Portugal, are joined by a names from a new generation of artists who have been making their mark in both clubs and festivals: Catarina Silva, Francisca Urbano, Luisa, Shaka Lion and Vil.

As a reminder, in 2023, the Sónar Lisboa experience will be simplified and centralised, with both Sónar by Day and Sónar by Night taking place in Pavilhão Carlos Lopes in Parque Eduardo VII in the centre of Lisbon. The Sónar+D venue (soon to be announced) will also be located in close proximity.