Kelis and Skepta command Sónar night with contrasting sets

Barcelona pulsed with contrasting rhythms as Kelis and Skepta commanded the Sónar festival stage on Friday. The festival, now unified in a single location due to construction, saw a convergence of day and night audiences, both captivated by these distinct artists.

Kelis took the SónarVillage stage under the afternoon sun, opening with a powerful rendition of 'Caught Out There.' Accompanied by a DJ, drummer, and backing vocalist, she delivered a performance that masterfully fused black music with electronic beats, creating a vibrant party atmosphere. Her set delved into R&B with tracks like 'Get Along With You' and 'Trilogy,' while more rhythmic songs such as 'Midnight Snacks' and 'Bossy' kept the energy high. Notably, Kelis, who now resides in Kenya, expressed her pride in Africa by wearing a t-shirt featuring Ibrahim Traoré, the interim president of Burkina Faso. She also wove global hits into her performance, including Bad Bunny's 'Titi Me Preguntó' and 'Jamaican (Bam Bam),' before closing with a festive medley that combined her own hits like 'Milkshake' with Nirvana, Bingo Player, Calvin Harris, and Sergio Mendes.

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I hate you so much right now

As night fell, the atmosphere shifted dramatically at SónarClub with the arrival of Skepta. The British artist, a global force in grime music, ignited the venue with 'Shutdown.' Dressed in a hooded Stone Island jacket that partially obscured his face, Skepta commanded the stage with his intense delivery. He continued with tracks from his collaboration album with Fred Again, 'Skepta..Fred,' including 'Back 2 Back.' The crowd responded with synchronized hand movements, a stark contrast to Kelis's earlier performance, as Skepta launched into 'Cops & Robbers' and 'That's Not Me,' embodying the raw power often associated with his music.

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Shutdown