post.mostra
I’d like to start by saying that I'm not a music journalist and that writing this article was outside of my plans when Irina, Theresa, Zach, and I booked our flights to Barcelona to visit the Mostra festival. I am writing this article to express my gratitude to the people behind Mostra and all of the artists we had the opportunity to listen to during those four magical days. As well as to spread the word about the true celebration of electronic music, surrounded by the nicest people in a unique setting. I want to highlight things that made this event a very inspiring and gratifying experience.
Theresa, Irina, Gilles and Zach at Castell De Monjuic
After the festival's first edition, Irina planted the idea of going to Barcelona for the Mostra Festival last year by saying - 'this festival looks like a real deal; we should go there.' But little that I know that next year we will collaborate with the Mostra Festival, go there and be blown away by what we hear there. Let's put things in perspective. Behind us is 20+ years of partying in all possible places you can and can not imagine. We listened to all possible variations and genres of electronic music. I was almost sure that the feeling of 'awe' was gone for this lifetime, but I was wrong. Mostra Festival is and was, if not the best, then among the top 3 best-curated music events I have ever attended. I'm perfectly aware of how that sounds, but I 100% stand behind it. The curational magic of Mostra belongs to Alfonso Pomeda, who you may know as F-on, one of the most well-respected Spanish DJs in the past three decades. His expertise in picking talent from around the world and pairing them with local artists was the strongest trait of this festival.
Another crucial thing Mostra nailed was the sound courtesy of L-Acoustics. Listening to ambient drone sets can sometimes turn into a very unpleasant experience due to poor tuning of the low end. We've all been at ambient performances when you feel your guts could go through your nose, and every loose thing in the venue vibrates. But that was not the case at the Hangar during the festival's first two days. The sound was natural, crisp, and had enough 'oompf' in sub-bass frequencies. Every artist sounded great at the Hangar, whether it was a live or a DJ set. There must have been a good reason that kept us approximately nine hours a day on the floor of a dark hangar during the beautiful, sunny spring days in Barcelona. And the reason was simple - the whole experience was delightful. Echoing that, Saturday and Sunday’s program at the castle was similar regarding the quality of sound. Even though there were some serious obstacles (for example, four tall stone walls from which sound could've bounced and created quite a mess), the sound was immaculate, which allowed artists to shine in their best light.
The festival's atmosphere was friendly and welcoming, with many people from around the world meeting in person for the first time after previously connecting online. During the first two days, the festival-goers found a nice balance between mingling outside the Hangar with fellow music nerds and indulging in musical journeys in the darkness of the main room. The main room was always comfortably full, which allowed people to enjoy the sets while laying on numerous pillows and mattresses that were there for better enjoyment. If I didn't have to eat (the food at the festival was incredibly tasteful) and visit the bathroom a few times, I would've stayed inside the whole time and listened to all the sets.
The three sacred ingredients of partying - music, sound, and people were top-notch, and we were set for four unforgettable days of fun in beautiful Barcelona. Mostra Festival was all about music and safe enjoyment of the same. The music we heard was fresh, engaging, and inspiring. The fantastic sets that we had the opportunity to listen to during the first day set the bar very high for the next three days and got us even more excited for what was to come.
The common denominator of all four festival days was that the program every day felt like one long set, unfolding from drone and experimental to techno to half-step and drum & bass. While the first two days at the Hangar celebrated, for the most part, live performances, Saturday and Sunday at Castell Du Monjuic celebrated the art of DJing in its finest form. The best thing about the music at the festival was that almost every DJ set there was so coherent and technically perfect that it sounded like a live set.
The very first set of the festival was courtesy of Mareena, who played an excellent opening, dubbed out ambient set. After a mandatory vitamin D session outside the Hangar, we were back for Avsluta's set, which was a beautiful symbiosis of ambient, electronica, and breaks. While Menou/Iwamaki and Joachim Spieth, after her, created carefully constructed musical journeys through lush, drone ambient with rich atmospheres. The hour with Son of Chi & Arthur Flink was a mind-bending tribute to Ryuchi Sakamoto. A beautiful improv between two incredible artists got a standing ovation upon finishing. It was a set that everyone who experienced it would remember for a long time.
Aa Sudd closed the night with an astonishing DJ set of half-step and low-slung techno (or 'seaweed techno' as our friends’ group calls it). Aa Suud's talent behind the decks shined in the best light, with the French DJ exploring different polyrhythms during his set and creating a unique atmosphere on the dancefloor.
Day 2 of Mostra was full of impressive and captivating performances that kept the audience engaged from beginning to end. The day started with a vinyl-only b2b set by local talent, Binomi. The duo played an impressive mix of obscure ambient and experimental jazz that set the tone perfectly for the day. The following live set by another local duo named .apart was based on soft pads and field recordings, creating a contemplative and reflective mood. Their music was a perfect complement to the laid-back atmosphere of the festival, and it gave a feeling of taking a stroll through the streets of Barcelona.
Refracted's set took the audience on a journey through drone, tribal, and intricately layered ambient music with psychedelic trumpets that, in moments, sounded shamanic. The L-Acoustics sound system was once again impressive, creating a powerful and immersive sonic experience that left the audience spellbound. The set by incredibly talented Dutch producer Multicast Dynamics sounded like a cosmic, electro-ambient exploration of the deep universe.
The night reached its crescendo with a marvelous set by the local legend, ABSIS. He delivered an impressive DJ set that slowly unfolded from ambient into low-slung techno, making everyone get up and dance until the night's end. The energy was tangible, with ABSIS expertly building up the tension and creating a sense of anticipation that kept the crowd fully engaged.
The last set of the night was modular wizardry by the Swiss trio Varuna, who continued to push the boundaries of electronic music with their innovative and experimental soundscapes.
During both days at the Hangar, the fantastic visual projections by Vincent Rang & Ferran Belmon added an extra layer of immersion to the already hypnotic music, creating a truly unforgettable experience.
The third and fourth days of the festival at Castell De Monjuic were unforgettable experiences. On the third day, we arrived later since we needed a rest and to prepare for the marathon. We came just in time for Jin's set, which was the perfect soundtrack for the sunset. The deep, hypnotic techno created a mesmerizing atmosphere that kept us wanting more. Laima Adelaide's live set was another highlight of the evening. The groovy and trippy beats had the crowd dancing and swaying to the rhythm. It was impossible not to get lost in the music. No one prepared us for what was to come, though. Marco Shuttle's three-hour set was a true mind-bender. Finding the right rhythm took several tracks, but once he did, it was pure magic. The atmosphere was electric, and the crowd was utterly absorbed in the music. But the real star of the night was Mod.1. The local force who stole our hearts with his razor-sharp precision and impeccable mixing skills. His powerful techno set was simply amazing. The energy he created was palpable, and the crowd was lost in the moment. The ovations he received at the end of his set were well-deserved. It was an unbelievable performance that will stay with us for a long time.
I don't pay attention to what medium DJ uses as long as what's coming out of the speakers creates a good atmosphere at the party. Still, I will mention, though, that both Marco Shuttle and mod.1 played vinyl-only sets that were absolutely impeccable. It was pretty impressive to listen to masters at work creating magic. For 5 hours, there was not a single skip during transitions. Truly the most immense respect for both DJs.
Day 4 of the Mostra festival at Castell De Monjuic was an incredible day filled with outstanding performances and unforgettable moments. We arrived early in the afternoon, and Mattikk's hypnotic low-slung techno set instantly put us in the party mood. Dino Sabatini's live set was one of the highlights of the evening, taking us on a journey from ambient to downtempo to trip-hop to techno that left us completely mesmerized. It was a true privilege to witness such a legend in action. Timnah and Patrick Russell, two of the Mostra residents, delivered unforgettable sets that left us in awe. Timnah's immersive set through polyrhythms was technically perfect and super smooth. But our fellow Brooklyner, Patrick Russell, stole the show on Sunday. His 4-hour journey through different tempos was particularly mind-boggling and took us on a rollercoaster ride.
The festival closed with Lynne's intense and powerful drum & bass set, pushing the boundaries of the genre to new limits. The lighting by Sonolum and FTFS was amazing throughout the festival, adding a nice touch to the whole experience. The festival on day 4 was a fantastic experience that we will remember for a long time. The incredible performances, the mesmerizing atmosphere, and the talented artists all came together to create a magical day that exceeded all our expectations. It was a true celebration of electronic music, and we left feeling inspired and uplifted.
I’d also like to highlight the team behind Mostra, as they worked incredibly hard to create something special for everyone who was there to share the experience. Only people who organize events know how hard it is to put something like this together. Being a promoter for years, I know these people worked their asses off to make Mostra 2023 a smooth and enjoyable experience. The fact that the Saturday and Sunday program took place within the walls of Castell De Monjuic, a historic landmark of Barcelona, brought specific obstacles that needed to be taken care of to make this experience one to remember. Whoever came to Mostra knew why they were there and how to behave. Everyone was respectful and welcoming to each other, and that type of energy became a leitmotif of the whole festival. Mostra recorded the highest concentration of music nerds per square meter since the beginning of time (I just made up that, but it certainly felt like that).
Seeing Alfonso with a smile on his face dancing in the crowd said everything that needed to be said. Mostra Festival 2023 was a complete success, and we can't wait for next year's edition! Special shoutout to Sara, Felix, Joan, Jordi, Martas (I think I met three Martas if I remember correctly), Jaime, Salva, Javi, and of course the man himself, Alfonso, for inviting us and taking care of us while we were in Barcelona. You guys created something special that you should be proud of.