We have lost track of the number of times we attended this great festival. Over the years, there was a bit of a change in our musical taste, becoming less as a lot of reggaeton was added to the line-up. Make sus think that they are forgetting the nice discoveries in other genres. But this year, the 2025 edition was pure magic, again! Congrats to the organisation.
Here’s our thoughts on the music:
Thursday – A Bold Kickoff
Sonar kicked off in style on Thursday, and what a way to ease into the weekend. Local talent Nahoomie opened the festival with an effortlessly groovy set. Even at 15:00, with a small crowd, she delivered infectious energy and classy rhythm that set the tone for the day.
Following her was DJ Lucient, who took the crowd on a genre-hopping journey. At first, it felt like he had to work to win the audience—but he nailed it. By the end, the vibe was undeniable.
Then came an absolute takeover by Mar Vista, Coziest, and yunji—an explosion of energy and bass. And yunji? Wow. Small in height but an absolute powerhouse behind the decks. One word: nuclear!
At SonarVillage, the groove continued with house legend Todd Terry, bringing signature rhythm and timeless energy. To close the day: MOCHAKK, with charisma and house beats that got the entire crowd dancing. His vibe? Contagious. His smile? Unmissable. A perfect ending.
Friday – Dub, Sass & Sonic Brilliance
We arrived in time for Adrian Sherwood, who served up a low-tempo dub set with masterful control—the perfect soundtrack to wake up and sway into the day slowly.
Plaid Live hit fast and didn’t let up. Precision, movement, magic.
Then came the queen: Honey Dijon. We’d never seen her live—and were absolutely floored. The detail, the transitions, the raw energy… she delivered an unforgettable set that had us watching in awe.
Later that night, we floated between Peggy Gou’s polished selections, Four Tet’s emotional highs, Richie Hawtin’s relentless drive, and the ever-enchanting Helena Hauff, who owned the decks even at 6 AM. Her vibe? Absolutely addictive.
Saturday – Fire to the Finish Line
Saturday started strong with Paranoid London at SonarHall. The duo stepped on stage like they owned it—and they did. Their energy lit up the room from start to finish.
We weren’t sure about the uptempo wave, but DJ Heartstring changed our minds. Irresistible energy, nonstop movement, and total crowd control.
While Overmono usually blows us away, their set felt a bit too eclectic this time—maybe not quite our vibe, but that’s the joy of festivals: surprises at every turn.
To close out our festival journey, Berlin-based Alinka delivered a pounding, high-octane set that wrapped up Sonar with a bang. A true final round of euphoria and sweat.
Final Words
Sonar 2025 reminded us why we love this festival: fearless programming, stunning energy, and moments that hit you in the soul. From local gems to legendary names, every day brought something different—and unforgettable. Until next year, Sonar. We have our tickets secured already.
