Golden Hair: Primavera Sound 2018

Primavera Sound, Barcelona. Thursday 31st May - Saturday 2nd June 2018.

“Lean out of the window, golden hair.”

Syd Barret

Barcelona. On my lonesome.

Warpaint. Front right segment. Up on a slight hill. Second act of the day. They begin with Intro, followed swiftly by Keep It Healthy. It’s deft, light and inviting. “In my dreams we are awake”, sing Emily Kokal and Thereas Wayman in haunting harmony. I still revisit the full set from time to time.

Björk. Front right segment. Back against the barrier. The setup was more than intriguing. Everyone wore white. Dancing flutists. An electric drum kit. Arisen My Senses really caught me. Heavy strobe and heavenly vocals.

Vince Staples. Ten rows from the front. Central. Intro tape simmered with the background bed to Get the F— off My D—, which he’d just released. “Primavera”, he stated factually, entering his arena. Dressed in Kevlar in front of several dimly lit TVs, Vince’s outline prowled the stage.

Mogwai. In front of the sound desk. Back against the barrier. I called my brother during the Hawk Is Howling. The track becomes stuck in loop. Reminds me of dreams when I can’t stand up. The release is how I imagine it feels to finally make it back on my feet.

Tyler, the Creator. Front right segment. Five rows from the front. I had watched him shout his way through his discography on dozens of YouTube videos. They somehow feel like false memories – like I had experienced him before, even though I wasn’t there. Tyler was wearing a high vis jacket and shorts. His hair was cheetah-esque. The stage had three risers at the back, with a screen displaying a pseudo tree-of-life. I was taken aback by the progress Tyler had made as a live performer. I was really proud of him.

Slowdive. In front of the sound desk. Back against the barrier. Central. I became obsessed with Machine Gun from their Souvlaki record. The band were also their own roadies – I remember the crowd warmly applauding the band as they set themselves up. Fully welled up during their cover of Syd Barret’s Golden Hair, the last track of the set. Rachel Goswell’s icy vocal intro gave way to a colourful abyss. I was lifted and ceded all control. I let myself be vulnerable.

Gaika. Club stage. Front row. Perhaps I was recommended by a friend, or I was persuaded by his bio, or that he releases on Warp. Performing in the round on a small table, oozing with gear and cables. Wearing sunglasses and a blazer sans tee, Gaika stepped onto the table, fashioned a crevice between the cables, and preceded to go in hard on Basic Volume. I was energised.

Skepta. Front right segment. Ten rows from the front. Decked out in all whites, perhaps he was one of the troupe of flutists performing with Björk. Only there because the Migos missed their flight. 3am after A$AP Rocky. Detox is simultaneously menacing and pleasant – makes me chuckle. Skepta raps like it really matters – don’t sweat the technique.

Recommended tracks:

• Björk – Arisen My Senses
• Gaika – Basic Volume
• Mogwai – The Hawk is Howling
• Slowdive – Machine Gun
• Skepta – Detox
• Tyler, the Creator – Garden Shed
• Vince Staples - Rain Come Down
• Warpaint – Keep it Healthy

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