After more than 30 years, the three founders of Sónar – Enric Palau, Ricard Robles, and Sergio Caballero – have stepped away from the festival.
Beginning in 1994, the Barcelona festival has expanded to include Sónar by day, Sónar by night and Sónar +D.
Sónar was acquired by Superstruct Entertainment in 2018, with Superstruct itself being acquired by investment firm KKR in 2024. Superstruct, which owns multiple European and UK festivals including Sziget, Field Day, Truck Festival and the online broadcaster Boiler Room, has faced calls for boycotts over KKR’s alleged ties to Israeli defence companies.
Sónar made a statement earlier this year in which it distanced itself from KKR, saying it “will not send a single euro” to KKR.
According to La Vanguardia, co-founder of Brunch Electronic and CEO of Superstructs Centris group, François Jozic will take over as CEO of Sónar.
There has so far been no confirmation for the reason behind the departure, with Mixmag reporting that Enric, Ricard, and Sergio’s departure is part of a “planned exit“, and was “agreed upon” when Sónar was acquired in 2018, a source told the publication.
Sónar 2026 will take place from 18-20 June 2026 in Barcelona.
