SÓNAR LISBOA 2025: A CITY PULSE, A GLOBAL SOUND
words THORE DAMWERTH
With its fourth edition, Sónar Lisboa has come into its own with a distinct identity – rooted in Lisbon’s thriving local scene while drawing the global electronic vanguard into its embrace.
Over three days, the festival took over Parque Eduardo VII, a central and symbolic location that firmly anchored it within the city’s cultural fabric. Across its varied lineup, Sónar Lisboa struck a rare balance of legacy, relevance, and risk.
The weight of electronic music history was clear. Richie Hawtin’s DEX EFX X0X, Underworld’s Saturday headline, and Jeff Mills closing on Sunday were all powerful reminders of the genre’s enduring innovators and their continued artistic evolution. Marcel Dettmann’s My Own Shadow AV debut in Portugal presented something more abstract – precise and minimalist – while artists like Nina Kraviz, KI/KI, and Anetha’s AV project EXHIBIT brought urgency and edge, underscoring techno’s contemporary momentum.
Lisbon’s own scene was also embedded throughout the weekend, with local labels and collectives claiming their space on the lineup – confident inclusions that gave the festival its sense of place and cultural weight. The underground was just as present with fresh energy. Or:la’s set stood out for its intensity, as did the tightly wound b2b between Bashkka and Ogazón.
Genre fluidity reigned throughout: Modeselektor and The Blaze proved how blurred the lines between producer and DJ have become, while the crowd – diverse and international – moved ecstatically between styles and tempos. Sónar Lisboa isn’t defined by genre, but by its intent and curation.
The festival’s strength lies in how it bridges legacy and next-gen, city and scene, global sound and local spirit. As it looks ahead to its fifth year, Sónar Lisboa already feels like a fixture: confident in its identity and contributing meaningfully to the evolution of global electronic music.
