Music by Bergman…Hyukoh

Korean pop (aka K-pop) gets a lot of attention, but Korean indie is something you don’t hear about as often.

At the top of the pack in this genre is a band called Hyukoh. A true tale of industry determination, Hyukoh got their start in 2014 when lead singer Oh Hyuk gathered up some friends to form a band, starting on the underground club circuit in Seoul’s hipster hub, Hongdae. Their career really got going, however, after their appearance on a South Korean reality show called Infinite Challenge. The fan response got them some festival gigs and enough interest for them to record a studio album, and they’ve only climbed higher ever since. Stateside, their song “Citizen Kane” featured in an Apple commercial.

Though “K-pop” is increasingly used as a catchall term for all South Korean music, Hyukoh are, without a doubt, a rock and roll act. Though guitar-based bands seem to be fading in much of the Western world, as R&B and pop take the day once again, Hyukoh’s star is on the rise. Owing to their global popularity, this show’s almost sold out. Tonight in concert at sala Apolo.

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Favourite Gig: The Tallest Man on Earth

Swedish artist Kristian Matsson (aka The Tallest Man on Earth) has won the hearts of thousands of fans with his natural manner as his man weapon and a catalogue of highly emotional and melodic songs with echos of Bob Dylan. He’s in Barcelona to present his newest album, ‘Dark Bird Is Home’ (2015), the fourth of his career and the first he’s recorded with a band, which will perform live with him as well. Tonight in concert at Sala Barts.

Favourite Gig: Cloud Nothings

Cloud Nothings was founded in a Cleveland basement, the one-man recording project of Dylan Baldi. Prolific from the start, Baldi’s early work was rough but immediate: crudely recorded, spring-loaded spasms of Buzzcocks-informed pop that quickly found an online following among the lo-fi-inclined. 

Cloud Nothings have announced a new album, Last Building Burning, their first since 2017’s Life Without Sound, and released its first single, “The Echo of the World.” The thrashing, noisy new song is a jolt, getting listeners amped for the forthcoming project. Tonight in concert at La2 de l’Apolo.

Favourite Gig: Massive Attack

All your favorite 1998 albums are getting big anniversary celebrations and Massive Attack are going to make the most of theirs. A week after announcing the reissue of their landmark album Mezzanine as DNA Spray Paint for its 20th anniversary, the electronic maestros announced plans to take the album on tour across Europe and North America. They’ll be joined by Cocteau Twins singer Liz Fraser, who performed on Mezzanine tracks “Teardrop,” “Black Milk,” and “Group Four.”  Tonight at St. Jordi Club.

Divus Julius presents…Rendez Vous

The five piece released last year debut album ‘Superior State’, a record that takes inspiration from the brooding post-punk of Protomartyr, Joy Division and beyond, but harbours a shimmering gothic heart, recalling the widescreen, arena-bound synths of Gary Numan.  Tonight in concert at Razzmatazz 3.

Le Classique: Echo and the Bunnymen

Echo and the Bunnymen has returned with their first new album in four years,The Stars, The Oceans & The Moon. Spanning 15 tracks, this collection strings together reimagined versions of songs from their back catalogue along with two brand new recordings.

In other words, if you’re open to the idea of hearing favorites like “The Killing Moon”, “The Cutter”, “Bring on the Dancing Horses” and “Lips Like Sugar” with “strings and things,” this album is right up your alley. But it’s also not for you, according to frontman Ian McCulloch. Tonight Room Festival present them in concert at Razzmatazz.

Music by Bergman: Snow Patrol

The band of Northern Irish musicians formed in Scotland are much more than the composers of ‘Chasing Cars’, which was such a huge hit years ago, thanks in part to the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ soundtrack. The five-piece band are back in Barcelona, where they’ve always received a warm welcome, to present the best of ‘Wildness’ (2018) and so much more. Tonight at Razzmatazz.