Music festival in an unfamiliar country - good idea or bad idea?
June 23, 2019 2:27 PM Subscribe
I'm going to be in Barcelona for work in July, and there's a music festival directly before my job starts that I'd like to go to. I don't speak any Spanish (well, a very small amount), and I've never been to Barcelona - how easy/difficult will it be for me to get around on my own (mostly to/from the festival, and navigating the festival itself)?
I'll totally accept any advice, including that it would be a bad idea to go or things I could to do make being in a foreign country easier as a solo traveller. Thanks!
I'll totally accept any advice, including that it would be a bad idea to go or things I could to do make being in a foreign country easier as a solo traveller. Thanks!
Response by poster: Oh! I forgot to say I'm in/from the United States and I only speak English.
posted by hapticactionnetwork at 2:40 PM on June 23, 2019
posted by hapticactionnetwork at 2:40 PM on June 23, 2019
The reliance on English seriously won't be a problem
I just would follow the same kinds of safeguards you would follow at a show solo in the States.
posted by JPD at 2:51 PM on June 23, 2019 [2 favorites]
I just would follow the same kinds of safeguards you would follow at a show solo in the States.
posted by JPD at 2:51 PM on June 23, 2019 [2 favorites]
There's probably a Facebook group/page or Twitter/Instagram hashtag for the festival - join our and say you're coming for the first time and would like some support as you're new to town. You'll probably make some good friends that way!
posted by divabat at 3:59 PM on June 23, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by divabat at 3:59 PM on June 23, 2019 [3 favorites]
I went to Sonar every year from 2005 - 2013, and I basically speak zero Spanish. It's all good - the festival is attending by people from all over, with lots of Brits and Germans especially, so you're not expected to speak Spanish. I mean, it will help to learn a few phrases, to order drinks or get a taxi, but you can manage without.
Navigating Barcelona is easy enough once you've got your bearings. I will say this though - Barcelona is a big city, with all that entails. Some sketchy neighbourhoods, some long travel times. Getting to and from Sonar by Night can be especially problematic because it's in a huge arena a little bit out of town - don't expect to be able to easily walk back home if the trains aren't running and taxis aren't available.
I'll let you into the secret though for enjoying Sonar, that newbies often overlook. The Sonar festival itself is actually only very small part of what's going on at that time. There are loads of off-Sonar gigs and clubnights that are awesome, bringing in just as big name stars, but in nicer, more intimate venues closer to the centre of town. Clubs, bars, rooftops, etc. Plus beach parties. I would advise going to Sonar by Day every day (it's always really fun), maybe one Sonar by Night just to say you've been. Then make your own personal schedule around the clubnights and beach parties. Some of the best line-ups are on Wednesday night or Sunday afternoon.
Second biggest secret for enjoying Sonar - take a folding fan with you. Everywhere gets so hot. You can cool down and if you fan someone in need you can even make some friends in the process.
Feel free to message me if you want to know anything more.
posted by iivix at 4:59 PM on June 23, 2019 [3 favorites]
Navigating Barcelona is easy enough once you've got your bearings. I will say this though - Barcelona is a big city, with all that entails. Some sketchy neighbourhoods, some long travel times. Getting to and from Sonar by Night can be especially problematic because it's in a huge arena a little bit out of town - don't expect to be able to easily walk back home if the trains aren't running and taxis aren't available.
I'll let you into the secret though for enjoying Sonar, that newbies often overlook. The Sonar festival itself is actually only very small part of what's going on at that time. There are loads of off-Sonar gigs and clubnights that are awesome, bringing in just as big name stars, but in nicer, more intimate venues closer to the centre of town. Clubs, bars, rooftops, etc. Plus beach parties. I would advise going to Sonar by Day every day (it's always really fun), maybe one Sonar by Night just to say you've been. Then make your own personal schedule around the clubnights and beach parties. Some of the best line-ups are on Wednesday night or Sunday afternoon.
Second biggest secret for enjoying Sonar - take a folding fan with you. Everywhere gets so hot. You can cool down and if you fan someone in need you can even make some friends in the process.
Feel free to message me if you want to know anything more.
posted by iivix at 4:59 PM on June 23, 2019 [3 favorites]
I've never been to Sonar, but I've been to Primavera in Barcelona multiple times.
You will be fine.
These festivals attract a huge pan-European audience - most of whom don't speak Spanish either. A lot of people are going to be speaking English as default. I'd suggest learning at least a few basic phrases in Spanish - a simple "I'm sorry I don't speak Spanish or Catalan, do you speak English?" will probably get you a long way.
The day site, especially, is very centrally located, I would happily walk there from most places I've stayed in Barcelona, but otherwise it's right on a metro station (get a 10-trip metro card, very easy and cheap). The night venue is slightly further out and I'm not sure of the neighbourhood, although there seems to be a number of hotels nearby. If it was me, I'd try to get accommodation near the night venue and consider walking home afterwards if the area looked safe. It also looks as though there's a bus of some kind from the night venue that presumably takes you more central.
Accommodation: I'd suggest booking ASAP and probably try for a hotel or hostel near the night venue. (There's a lot of bad feeling in Barcelona about tourists at the moment, because so many city apartments are being rented through AirBnB or similar, and displacing the locals who used to live there).
posted by Pink Frost at 5:00 PM on June 23, 2019
You will be fine.
These festivals attract a huge pan-European audience - most of whom don't speak Spanish either. A lot of people are going to be speaking English as default. I'd suggest learning at least a few basic phrases in Spanish - a simple "I'm sorry I don't speak Spanish or Catalan, do you speak English?" will probably get you a long way.
The day site, especially, is very centrally located, I would happily walk there from most places I've stayed in Barcelona, but otherwise it's right on a metro station (get a 10-trip metro card, very easy and cheap). The night venue is slightly further out and I'm not sure of the neighbourhood, although there seems to be a number of hotels nearby. If it was me, I'd try to get accommodation near the night venue and consider walking home afterwards if the area looked safe. It also looks as though there's a bus of some kind from the night venue that presumably takes you more central.
Accommodation: I'd suggest booking ASAP and probably try for a hotel or hostel near the night venue. (There's a lot of bad feeling in Barcelona about tourists at the moment, because so many city apartments are being rented through AirBnB or similar, and displacing the locals who used to live there).
posted by Pink Frost at 5:00 PM on June 23, 2019
My ex goes to Sonar alone every year and obviously loves it. I think he speaks some Spanish now, but he didn't to begin with.
In general, Barcelona is a great city to visit. It's true that people are getting tired of tourists, but if you are a polite human being and respect that people do things differently, you'll be fine. A thing that is different: mealtimes! Both lunch and dinner are far later than in the US. That's what tapas are for.
I like to stay in the Eixample or Gracia rather than the historic center, because I like to have everyday life around me.
Compared to most other Western European cities, Barcelona can be quite rough. Nothing to be scared of, but do stay alert. Don't get drunk and walk around with all your stuff on you (by all means get drunk, have churros and hot chocolate at 5AM, just don't carry round your credit cards and ID while you do it). Don't stay in the very cheapest accommodation you can find. Ask the people where you are staying which places to avoid/be careful in at night.
posted by mumimor at 1:41 AM on June 24, 2019
In general, Barcelona is a great city to visit. It's true that people are getting tired of tourists, but if you are a polite human being and respect that people do things differently, you'll be fine. A thing that is different: mealtimes! Both lunch and dinner are far later than in the US. That's what tapas are for.
I like to stay in the Eixample or Gracia rather than the historic center, because I like to have everyday life around me.
Compared to most other Western European cities, Barcelona can be quite rough. Nothing to be scared of, but do stay alert. Don't get drunk and walk around with all your stuff on you (by all means get drunk, have churros and hot chocolate at 5AM, just don't carry round your credit cards and ID while you do it). Don't stay in the very cheapest accommodation you can find. Ask the people where you are staying which places to avoid/be careful in at night.
posted by mumimor at 1:41 AM on June 24, 2019
The location where the venue is is absolutely fine, given the usual caveats about not stumbling around large cities when you're drunk. Sonar and Primavera sound are our two biggest music festivals here and they are HUGE. The pickpockets and muggers will be out in force, but if you're not an idiot, you should be fine, there will be so many idiots here that the crooks will go for the low hanging fruit.
That being said, it does seem like there has been an uptick in violent crime, as opposed to non-violent theft, in the central touristy areas under the current mayor, so keep your eyes open.
Getting around is fine, taxi drivers will know where you want to go, or you can use cabify.
It was a different story even just ten years ago, but now most shops and bars and restaurants can get by in english.
posted by conifer at 1:46 AM on June 24, 2019
That being said, it does seem like there has been an uptick in violent crime, as opposed to non-violent theft, in the central touristy areas under the current mayor, so keep your eyes open.
Getting around is fine, taxi drivers will know where you want to go, or you can use cabify.
It was a different story even just ten years ago, but now most shops and bars and restaurants can get by in english.
posted by conifer at 1:46 AM on June 24, 2019
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Yes you should totally do this, it will be super easy.
If I'm reading the websites correctly both venues are accessible by train. The night venue has about a three hour gap (2am to 5 am) with no train. I would encourage you to do this. The lack of Spanish will not be a problem.
posted by JPD at 2:36 PM on June 23, 2019 [2 favorites]