- Even in a city with more than its fair share of picture-book settings, Barcelona's El Monasterio of El Poble Espanyol is a genuinely spectacular music venue. Built for the 1929 World Fair, El Poble Espanyol is a 117-building village and architectural museum on the side of Monjuic hill in the west of the city. El Monasterio is the village's beautiful little monastery, and music events take place in the gardens surrounding it, with the temporary stage backgrounded by to-die-for views over the city. Normally only used for music purposes during Sónar (RA's party took place there in June), the success of this event presents the tantalising prospect of El Monasterio becoming a more regular stop on the city's electronic music circuit.
If that does happen, those who were there will look back on this as the most auspicious of beginnings. With no support booked, Daphni and Floating Points were left to play a full six hours back-to-back. As DJs, both are noted as selectors of impeccable taste and judgement rather than as technical wizards. The latter quality never seems terribly important when music is accompanied by sunshine and breathtaking views, and both fulfilled their reputations for the former. It was a nigh-on perfect summer evening.
The event started at 6 PM, and while the sun was still out, the pair stuck mostly to airy disco and soul, with Xander Milne's "NY Theme (GQ & Theo Parrish Tribute)" an early highlight. The onset of dusk and a full-length outing for Carl Craig's hypnotic remix of Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom's "Relevee" ushered in a more house- and techno-focused hour or so. The final hour was a hits-heavy microcosm of the five that had preceded it, with honey-fried soul/disco cuts such as Jo Bisso's "Love Somebody" and Sylvester's "Over And Over" rubbing up against "Ellipsis" by Joy Orbison, Gold Panda's wonkily glowing "Quitters Raga" and the inevitable but welcome euphoria shot of Daphni's own "Ye Ye." But soul had the last word. The night twinkled to a close to the heavenly strains of Nina Simone's "Funkier Than A Mosquito's Tweeter" and Gloria Ann Taylor's "Love Is A Hurting." A glorious first taste of what one can only hope will become everyone's favourite new Barcelona routine.
Photo credit: Sara