The 2025 festival season started strong in Lisbon, with Sonar proving once again that good things come in compact packages. Smaller than Barcelona’s massive edition? Sure. More inviting, less overwhelming, and just as wild? Absolutely.

From April 11-13, Eduardo VII Park turned into a playground for electronic music lovers. Two outdoor stages, one indoor, and a crowd that knew how to move without crushing each other—perfect for those who hate losing their friends in a sea of strangers.

Friday set the tone: Modeselektor came in hot with a set that refused to let anyone stand still. Then Richie Hawtin took over with DEX EFX X0X, blending futuristic techno with visuals sharp enough to cut glass. Meanwhile, Sónar+D turned tech nerds into artists—one installation let you create sounds just by moving. No skills required, just vibes.

Saturday dialed up the energy. San Farafina brought the kind of beats that make you sweat and think at the same time. Lua de Santana was pure fire—proof that music and activism can slam dance together. Underworld did what Underworld does: dropped Born Slippy like a grenade and watched the crowd explode. And Nina Kraviz? Hypnotic as ever, no compromises.

By Sunday, most festivals are limping to the finish line. Not this one. Jeff Mills served Detroit techno with surgical precision. The Blaze swapped raw power for emotional gut-punches, all dreamy visuals and soaring synths.

Same Sonar DNA, just cozier. Lisbon, consider us officially obsessed. See you in 2026.

Check out below some photos from the festival: