I went to Primavera Sound music festival in Barcelona. Here are the best and worst photos that show what it's like to attend

Armani SyedJun 18, 2022, 15:16 IST

The entrance to Primavera Sound festival, and Tame Impala performing on the final day.Armani Syed

I attended Primavera Sound, a music festival in Barcelona that's popular among Americans and Brits.
Headliners for the second weekend included Lorde, Tame Impala, Megan Thee Stallion, and Dua Lipa.

In June, I traveled from London to Barcelona, Spain, to attend the Primavera Sound music festival. I bought my Weekend 2 ticket a year ago for €255, or around $268.

The author in Park Güell, Barcelona.Armani Syed/Insider

In June, I traveled from London to Barcelona, Spain, to attend the Primavera Sound music festival. I bought my Weekend 2 ticket a year ago for €255, or around $268.

Primavera Sound is a music festival that takes place on the beachfront in Barcelona over two weekends. It began in 2001 with only 8,000 attendees but welcomed 500,000 attendees in 2022.

The "Created In Barcelona" sign sits in front of the sea with ships in the distance during Primavera Sound 2022.Jim Bennett/WireImage

Primavera Sound is a music festival that takes place on the beachfront in Barcelona over two weekends. It began in 2001 with only 8,000 attendees but welcomed 500,000 attendees in 2022.

After spending a few days exploring the city prior to the second weekend starting on June 9, I took a 12-minute metro ride from my hotel in Clot to the Parc del Fòrum venue located in Sant Adrià de Besòs.

A map showing the locations of Hotel Catalonia Atenas and Parc del Fòrum.Google Maps

After spending a few days exploring the city prior to the second weekend starting on June 9, I took a 12-minute metro ride from my hotel in Clot to the Parc del Fòrum venue located in Sant Adrià de Besòs.

I arrived at the festival site on the Thursday, where they scanned the QR code on my ticket, which attendees were told to save to an app called AccessTicket. I was then issued my wristband which allowed me to come and go.

The entrance to Primavera Sound festival with a moving banner.Armani Syed/Insider

I arrived at the festival site on the Thursday, where they scanned the QR code on my ticket, which attendees were told to save to an app called AccessTicket. I was then issued my wristband which allowed me to come and go.

I arrived to see stalls by all the sponsors, including a giant Pull & Bear bear, merchandise shops, and food and drinks spots. The weather varied from 75.2 to 80.6 degrees Fahrenheit, according to my phone.

The adjoining part of the festival space where people can reach any stage.Armani Syed/Insider

I arrived to see stalls by all the sponsors, including a giant Pull & Bear bear, merchandise shops, and food and drinks spots. The weather varied from 75.2 to 80.6 degrees Fahrenheit, according to my phone.

A lot of the headliners were located on the Estrella Damm or Pull & Bear stages, which were quite a long walk away from the entrance site and other stages.

A long pathway leading from the entrance point to the Estrella Damm and Pull & Bear stages.Armani Syed/Insider

The festival invited a noticeably liberal crowd. The signage, as well as this mural nodding to Berlin's East Side Gallery, made it clear that attendees from marginalized communities were welcome.

Primavera's creative values and a nod to Berlin's East Side Gallery.Armani Syed/Insider

The festival invited a noticeably liberal crowd. The signage, as well as this mural nodding to Berlin's East Side Gallery, made it clear that attendees from marginalized communities were welcome.

The festival had many inaccessible areas that were guarded by security, including this Adidas Originals viewing point, and a Soho House pool and private space for members.

A security guard in front of the Adidas private area located at the festival.Armani Syed/Insider

The festival had many inaccessible areas that were guarded by security, including this Adidas Originals viewing point, and a Soho House pool and private space for members.

The seafront setting at Parc del Fòrum made the event feel undeniably atmospheric.

The waterfront at Parc del Fòrum, located between the districts of Sant Martí and Sant Adrià de Besòs.Armani Syed/Insider

While the festival's ticket conditions state attendees can be refused entry for intoxication, their bag search was relaxed and many people could be seen smoking what appeared to be marijuana.

A group of people at night during the first day of the Primavera Sound festival 2022.David Zorrakino/Europa Press via Getty Images

While the festival's ticket conditions state attendees can be refused entry for intoxication, their bag search was relaxed and many people could be seen smoking what appeared to be marijuana.

The festival strived to be sustainable — it offered self-generated charging stations and signs flashed up saying it was plastic bottle-free. This later changed and guards gave out bottles of water at concerts following complaints of shortages and large queues.

A self-generated phone charging station and an attendee distributing water given by staff.Armani Syed/Insider

The festival strived to be sustainable — it offered self-generated charging stations and signs flashed up saying it was plastic bottle-free. This later changed and guards gave out bottles of water at concerts following complaints of shortages and large queues.

Between performances, people would sit on these steps beneath fairy lights and enjoy views of the sea, as well as food and drinks from nearby stalls.

Steps by the sea were used as seating between performances.Armani Syed/Insider

I only ate one meal on-site. I opted for a vegetarian burger for €9.50, around $10, which did not come with fries. While it tasted okay, it became a sloppy mess by the time I made it back to my friends.

A vegetarian burger and a bowl of noodles from the food stalls at Primavera Sound.Armani Syed/Insider

I only ate one meal on-site. I opted for a vegetarian burger for €9.50, around $10, which did not come with fries. While it tasted okay, it became a sloppy mess by the time I made it back to my friends.

According to the drinks list, a can of water cost 2 euros, or $2.10, Coca-Cola cost 3 euros, or $3.15, and an Estrella Damm beer cost 4.50 euros, or $4.70, which seemed reasonable for a festival. As a teetotaller, I managed to keep my drinks order cheap.

A crowd gathers at beer tents in front of the Tous stage during Primavera Sound.Armani Syed

According to the drinks list, a can of water cost 2 euros, or $2.10, Coca-Cola cost 3 euros, or $3.15, and an Estrella Damm beer cost 4.50 euros, or $4.70, which seemed reasonable for a festival. As a teetotaller, I managed to keep my drinks order cheap.

While complaints about overcrowding emerged during Weekend 1, causing the festival to issue an apology, it appeared safe and smooth during Weekend 2 but still felt oversaturated.

The crowd crouches down as Beach Bunny begin their performance during Primavera Sound 2022.Jim Bennett/WireImage

While complaints about overcrowding emerged during Weekend 1, causing the festival to issue an apology, it appeared safe and smooth during Weekend 2 but still felt oversaturated.

As far as festivals go, I expect a lot of trash to be on the site floor but the bins at the closest tram station were also overflowing, which seemed disrespectful to locals using these services.

A cigarette stuck to the bottom of a sneaker, and overflowing trash at the tram stop.Armani Syed/Insider

As far as festivals go, I expect a lot of trash to be on the site floor but the bins at the closest tram station were also overflowing, which seemed disrespectful to locals using these services.

I noticed a lot of Americans in attendance at the gigs, especially for native acts like the Texas band Khruangbin. The musical trio delivered a mesmerizing set.

Musical trio Khruangbin performing on the first night of Primavera Sound Weekend 2.Armani Syed/Insider, Jim Bennett/WireImage

Dua Lipa thoughtfully paid tribute to her LGBTQ+ fans by bringing out the pride flag during a performance of her 2021 song "Cold Heart," featuring Elton John.

Dua Lipa onstage during the first night of Primavera Sound Weekend 2.Armani Syed/Insider, Xavi Torrent/WireImage

I managed to be in the third row to witness Lorde's performance and while I've always enjoyed her songs, I was pleasantly surprised by how much stage presence she had.

Lorde performing on the Pull & Bear stage during the second day of the festival.Armani Syed/Insider

A highlight was watching M.I.A's Tamil-inspired performance with her incredible dancers. I rarely get to see musicians from the South Asian community perform to such a big audience.

M.I.A performing on the Pull & Bear stage.Armani Syed/Insider, Xavi Torrent/WireImage

A highlight was watching M.I.A's Tamil-inspired performance with her incredible dancers. I rarely get to see musicians from the South Asian community perform to such a big audience.

While I can't say I knew much about the Yeah Yeah Yeahs before Primavera, I was captivated by singer Karen O who almost swallowed a microphone, then gave it to a fan.

Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs on stage during Primavera Sound Festival Weekend 2, Day 3.Armani Syed/Insider, Jordi Vidal/Redferns

Tame Impala had the most incredible lighting displays during their performance.

Lighting and confetti during Tame Impala's performance on the final day of the festival.Armani Syed/Insider

I, among many others, queued for six hours to be in the front row for Megan Thee Stallion. Her performance was empowering and political as she condemned Texas' abortion laws onstage.

Megan Thee Stallion performing at Primavera Sound festival on the final night.Armani Syed/Insider, Xavi Torrent/WireImage

I, among many others, queued for six hours to be in the front row for Megan Thee Stallion. Her performance was empowering and political as she condemned Texas' abortion laws onstage.

I had a lot of fun at Primavera but getting home each night was stressful. Taxis were in high demand, the metro stopped running in the late hours or queues made it impossible to get on, and buses didn't show up.

Two of many people struggling to hail a taxi on the way home from Primavera Sound.Armani Syed/Insider

I had a lot of fun at Primavera but getting home each night was stressful. Taxis were in high demand, the metro stopped running in the late hours or queues made it impossible to get on, and buses didn't show up.

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I went to Primavera Sound music festival in Barcelona. Here are the best and worst photos that show what it's like to attend

In June, I traveled from London to Barcelona, Spain, to attend the Primavera Sound music festival. I bought my Weekend 2 ticket a year ago for €255, or around $268.

Primavera Sound is a music festival that takes place on the beachfront in Barcelona over two weekends. It began in 2001 with only 8,000 attendees but welcomed 500,000 attendees in 2022.

After spending a few days exploring the city prior to the second weekend starting on June 9, I took a 12-minute metro ride from my hotel in Clot to the Parc del Fòrum venue located in Sant Adrià de Besòs.

I arrived at the festival site on the Thursday, where they scanned the QR code on my ticket, which attendees were told to save to an app called AccessTicket. I was then issued my wristband which allowed me to come and go.

I arrived to see stalls by all the sponsors, including a giant Pull & Bear bear, merchandise shops, and food and drinks spots. The weather varied from 75.2 to 80.6 degrees Fahrenheit, according to my phone.

A lot of the headliners were located on the Estrella Damm or Pull & Bear stages, which were quite a long walk away from the entrance site and other stages.

The festival invited a noticeably liberal crowd. The signage, as well as this mural nodding to Berlin's East Side Gallery, made it clear that attendees from marginalized communities were welcome.

The festival had many inaccessible areas that were guarded by security, including this Adidas Originals viewing point, and a Soho House pool and private space for members.

The seafront setting at Parc del Fòrum made the event feel undeniably atmospheric.

While the festival's ticket conditions state attendees can be refused entry for intoxication, their bag search was relaxed and many people could be seen smoking what appeared to be marijuana.

The festival strived to be sustainable — it offered self-generated charging stations and signs flashed up saying it was plastic bottle-free. This later changed and guards gave out bottles of water at concerts following complaints of shortages and large queues.

Between performances, people would sit on these steps beneath fairy lights and enjoy views of the sea, as well as food and drinks from nearby stalls.

I only ate one meal on-site. I opted for a vegetarian burger for €9.50, around $10, which did not come with fries. While it tasted okay, it became a sloppy mess by the time I made it back to my friends.

According to the drinks list, a can of water cost 2 euros, or $2.10, Coca-Cola cost 3 euros, or $3.15, and an Estrella Damm beer cost 4.50 euros, or $4.70, which seemed reasonable for a festival. As a teetotaller, I managed to keep my drinks order cheap.

While complaints about overcrowding emerged during Weekend 1, causing the festival to issue an apology, it appeared safe and smooth during Weekend 2 but still felt oversaturated.

As far as festivals go, I expect a lot of trash to be on the site floor but the bins at the closest tram station were also overflowing, which seemed disrespectful to locals using these services.

I noticed a lot of Americans in attendance at the gigs, especially for native acts like the Texas band Khruangbin. The musical trio delivered a mesmerizing set.

Dua Lipa thoughtfully paid tribute to her LGBTQ+ fans by bringing out the pride flag during a performance of her 2021 song "Cold Heart," featuring Elton John.

I managed to be in the third row to witness Lorde's performance and while I've always enjoyed her songs, I was pleasantly surprised by how much stage presence she had.

A highlight was watching M.I.A's Tamil-inspired performance with her incredible dancers. I rarely get to see musicians from the South Asian community perform to such a big audience.

While I can't say I knew much about the Yeah Yeah Yeahs before Primavera, I was captivated by singer Karen O who almost swallowed a microphone, then gave it to a fan.

Tame Impala had the most incredible lighting displays during their performance.

I, among many others, queued for six hours to be in the front row for Megan Thee Stallion. Her performance was empowering and political as she condemned Texas' abortion laws onstage.

I had a lot of fun at Primavera but getting home each night was stressful. Taxis were in high demand, the metro stopped running in the late hours or queues made it impossible to get on, and buses didn't show up.