Anyone who went to the first edition of Vida (which means 'life' in English) last year enjoyed rediscovering what a real summer festival is. No queues, no overcrowding with stages set up in lovely settings such as forests, lighthouses next to the beach and even on board a fishing-boat... Vida is life! This year it's back with a second outing that promises to be as memorable as that inaugural edition. The festival's main venue is on the estate of La Masia d'en Cabanyes, a beautiful old Catalan country-house (masia) located on the outskirts of the town of Vilanova i la Geltrú (about 45 minutes down the coast from Barcelona). There will also be morning concerts at La Daurada Beach Club and an opening party on Thursday at the Molí de Mar stage, where the much-missed Farady festival was held.
The line-up is full of great acts, both local and international, such as Father John Misty, the former drummer of Fleet Foxes, who's been enjoying a solo career for some time now to become a stand-out name in US pop folk in his own right – this year he's released what is one of the albums of 2015 'I love you, honeybear'. Another notable name on the programme is The War on Drugs, the Philadelphia band that, after earning a name for themselves on the indie scene with their first two albums, have seen the international critics fall at their feet with the third, 'Lost in the Dream' (2014).
Bobby Gillespie and Primal Scream are also coming to the party. Living rock legends and one of the key pillars of modern music, the Scottish group haven't released an album since 2013's 'More Light', which makes us think their setlist will be full of hits from throughout their long career.
The most anticipated return at Vida, even if they've never actually broken up, is that of the Super Furry Animals, a crazy band led by the charismatic Gruff Rhys. We'll also hear the shiny, instrumental pop from the Chicago multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird, the spectacular and sensitive voice of pianist and composer Benjamin Clementine, the psychodelic lo-fi spirit of Woods; Neil Halstead, one of the most respected British composers whether at the head of Slowdive, Mojave 3 or when performing alone, as he does here; Ezra Furman and his reflective, sentimental lyrics; Martha, one of the revelations of 2015 so far who makes fresh, bright pop that is full of guitars and take us back to the '90s; and Fryars, a project from young Londoner Benjamin Garrett.
The Catalan and Spanish pop scenesare also well-represented by, among others, names such as Nacho Vegas, Joan Miquel Oliver, Grupo de Expertos Solynieve, Hinds, Les Sueques, Miquel Serra, Mourn, The Saurs, Núria Graham, Senior and el Cor Brutal, as well as Hidrogenesse and Ocellot, stars of the opening party on Thursday.