If necessity is the mother of invention, then the folks behind electronic music festival Sonar get a gold star for creatively approaching the puzzle of how to throw events during a global economic recession.

The festival is gearing up for its annual multi-day event in Barcelona this June, but for those without the means (or motivation) to fly transatlantic this year, there’s an unexpected surprise in store. Sonar will launch its first-ever Stateside event in less than a month, with Sonarsound NY.

The day-long event will, as all Sonar happenings do, combine electronic music with multimedia art, with DJ /rupture and Prefuse 73 headlining the whole shebang. Additionally, Barcelona-based DJ d.a.r.y.l. will fly in for a couple of sets, while avant-pop producer Hidrogenesse and hip-hop trio Del Palo Soundsystem will add to the entertainment.

The event is free with RSVP, and festivities start at 8 p.m. on May 12 at the Baryshnikov Arts Center NYC.

Sonarsound NY:
Marcel-lí-Antúnez
ReacTable Feat. Ikue Mori
Fibla + Árbol
Del Palo Soundsystem
Balago
DJ /rupture
Prefuse 73
d.a.r.y.l.
Hidrogenesse
No-Domain (visuals)

Photo by Ross Holland.