Advanced Music

What Advanced Music does

Advanced Music SLU is a privately held Spanish company (Tax ID B-66699216) founded in 1994 and headquartered at calle Zamora 45-47 in Barcelona (08005). It operates the Sónar festival, an annual three-day electronic music, digital creativity, and innovation event held at Fira de L'Hospitalet, alongside the concurrent Sónar+D technology and innovation conference. The Sónar portfolio has been extended internationally through Sónar Around the World (with prior editions in Istanbul, Buenos Aires, and Reykjavik) and through adjacent product lines including Sónar by Day, Sónar by Night, Sónar Kids, and Sónar Week off-venue programming.

The company's technology stack centers on a digital ticketing and access-control platform operated via the authorized Bleep online sales channel and on-site box offices, complemented by a wristband access system, the SonarApp mobile application (iOS and Android), the QR-code-based Cash Point cashless payment system for in-venue transactions, and the Lucky Pulse QR-based scientific experiment platform deployed in partnership with three Spanish universities. AI and music-themed content is curated through the AI & Music powered by S+T+ARTS program and the ImprovIA stage at Sónar+D.

Advanced Music monetizes primarily through three revenue streams: one-time ticket sales across General Admission, VIP, and Flex tiers (the Flex tier allowing refunds before 1 March of the event year); festival sponsorships from a named roster including Estrella Damm, Generalitat de Catalunya, Ajuntament de Barcelona, Fritz Kola, OCB, Vieta, and Grey Goose; and in-venue services including food and beverage sales, a reusable cup deposit system, Cash Point cashless transactions, and locker rentals. Recurring financial support from INAEM and the Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte, channeled via EU Next Generation EU, supplements commercial revenue. The customer base is split between individual festival attendees (electronic music enthusiasts and technology/creative professionals attending Sónar+D) and corporate sponsor counterparties seeking brand association with the festival.

Name

Advanced Music

Legal name

ADVANCED MUSIC SLU

Website

https://sonar.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Advanced Music SLU, founded in 1994 in Barcelona, organizes the annual Sónar festival and Sónar+D technology conference at Fira de L'Hospitalet, serving electronic music fans and creative-industry professionals through ticket sales, sponsorships, and in-venue services under the Sónar brand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Music Events

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Festival Organizers & Promoters (MPAGAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA), Event Production & Technical Services (Staging, Lighting, Sound, Video) (MPAGAAAG), Virtual Concerts & Music Festivals (Livestreamed Performances) (MPAGAOAD), Training, Workshops & Certification Events (MPAGAGAJ)

Keywords

• Electronic music festival
• Music technology conference
• Live event production
• Digital arts programming
• Creative innovation events

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling tickets and passes to the Sónar festival. Multiple ticket types available including Flex Tickets with refund options, wristband-based access system, and various add-ons such as fast-lane access, VIP areas, and backstage access depending on ticket tier.
2. Festival Sponsorships: Partnership revenue from brand sponsors including Estrella Damm, Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona City Council, Fritz Kola, OCB, Vieta, and other partners featured on the festival website and promotional materials.
3. In-Venue Services: Revenue from food and beverage sales within the venue, reusable cup deposit system, cashless payment via QR code (Cash Point system), and optional locker rentals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Advanced Music operates the Sónar festival, an annual electronic music and digital creativity event held each June in Barcelona over three days, combining live music performances, club nights, art installations, and the Sónar+D technology/innovation conference. The company also runs the SonarApp mobile application for iOS and Android, and extends the Sónar brand internationally through Sónar Around the World events and Sónar Week programming.

Product overview

Advanced Music operates the Sónar festival ecosystem, a multi-component event portfolio combining electronic music with technology and creativity. The core offering includes the annual Sónar Festival featuring daytime and nighttime programming, the Sónar+D technology conference focused on innovation at the intersection of creativity and technology, Sónar Kids for family audiences, and the SonarApp mobile application for attendee engagement. Additional offerings include Sónar Week extended programming and online galleries documenting past events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sónar+D: The technology and innovation conference component of Sónar, featuring talks, panels, exhibitions, performances, and workshops exploring the intersection of creativity, technology, and music.

Products and services

• Sónar Festival Annual three-day electronic music, innovation, and creativity festival held in Barcelona each June, featuring performances, exhibitions, and artistic experiences across multiple venues and stages. Targeted at electronic music enthusiasts and creative professionals globally.
• Sónar+D Technology and creativity conference component of Sónar festival featuring talks, panels, exhibitions, performances, and workshops exploring the intersection of creativity, technology, and music. Targeted at creative professionals, technologists, and AI researchers.
• Sónar by Night Nighttime programming at Sónar featuring club nights, DJ performances, and electronic music events across various venues and stages. Targeted at festival attendees seeking late-night electronic music experiences.
• Sónar Kids Family-friendly programming and activities designed for children during Sónar festival, including performances and interactive experiences. Targeted at families attending the festival with children.
• SonarApp Mobile application for iOS and Android that provides event information, maps, schedules, and updates for Sónar festival attendees. Functions as the official festival companion app with schedules and venue information.
• Sónar Week Extended programming during Sónar festival week featuring additional events, installations, and off-venue activities across Barcelona. Targeted at attendees seeking a broader festival experience beyond the main three-day event.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor, flagship and major.

• Cotec (Fundación Cotec)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 2026Cotec is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting innovation in Spain. The partnership involves Sónar+D collaborating with Cotec on KNOWCASE, a street-level installation space in Madrid. They have launched an international Open Call for digital culture installations, with selected proposals receiving up to €100,000 in funding. Cotec previously conducted The Lucky Pulse scientific experiment at Sónar 2026 in collaboration with University of Seville, Carlos III University of Madrid, and Loyola Andalucía University.
• University of Seville, Carlos III University of Madrid, Loyola Andalucía UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 June 2026Academic institutions collaborating with Cotec's Behavioural Economics Lab (LEC) on The Lucky Pulse scientific experiment conducted at Sónar 2026, investigating human decision-making processes using festival attendees as research participants.
• S+T+ARTS (Science + Technology + Arts)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerS+T+ARTS is a European initiative that bridges science, technology, and the arts. Sónar hosts the AI & Music powered by S+T+ARTS program, featuring performances, exhibitions, and discussions exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and music.
• Estrella DammmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimary beer sponsor of Sónar festival. Featured as a major supporter in festival branding and promotional materials.
• Generalitat de CatalunyamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernmental institution supporting the Sónar festival as part of cultural promotion in Catalonia.
• Ajuntament de Barcelona (Barcelona City Council)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerMunicipal government partner supporting the Sónar festival as a key cultural event in Barcelona.
• Fira de L'HospitaletcoreOthersThe primary venue for Sónar Barcelona, providing the physical infrastructure for the festival across its multiple spaces and stages.
• Bleep (Ticketing Platform)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized online sales channel for Sónar ticket sales. The ticketing platform operates the online purchase system for festival tickets.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• AEG Presents: Global live entertainment and festivals operator behind Coachella and many other events. Overlaps with Advanced Music on promoter economics, ticketing scale, and sponsor relationships.
• Live Nation Entertainment: World's largest live entertainment company operating festivals, venues, and ticketing (Ticketmaster). Indirect competitor and potential partner via ticketing infrastructure and global artist relationships.
• Coachella (Goldenvoice / AEG): One of the world's largest multi-genre music festivals operated by Goldenvoice/AEG Presents. Competes broadly for global festival sponsorship, headliner talent, and audience attention.

Direct peers

• MUTEK: International festival of digital arts and electronic music with editions in Montreal, Mexico City, Barcelona, and other cities. Closely mirrors Sónar's music-plus-technology positioning.
• Tomorrowland: The world's largest electronic music festival, held annually in Belgium with global editions. Direct competitor to Sónar for electronic-music headliners, sponsorship dollars, and the global electronic-festival attendee base.
• Time Warp: Long-running electronic and techno music festival with editions across Europe and South America. Competes for the same premium electronic-music audience and headliner roster.
• Roskilde Festival: One of Europe's largest non-profit music festivals, blending music, art, and activism. Comparable scale, audience, and operational complexity to Sónar, with similar sponsorship and public-sector dynamics.
• Primavera Sound: Major Barcelona-based music festival (and global editions) with overlapping attendee demographics, venue city, and sponsor ecosystem. Directly competes for the same Mediterranean summer festival audience.
• CTM Festival: Berlin-based festival for adventurous music and art, focused on electronic and digital culture. Closely aligned with Sónar+D's music-technology convergence programming.
• Awakenings: Leading techno festival and event series based in the Netherlands with international editions. Direct competitor in the European electronic-music festival category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sonarfestival
• Facebookfacebook.com/sonarfestival
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/advanced-music-s-l-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Advanced Music