Delayed x Mostra | 2025 Edition
Last spring, as dusk settled over Montjuïc Castle, a warm breeze rolled in, and deep techno basslines echoed off the ancient stone walls. I looked around—hundreds of smiling strangers moving as one, a dancefloor that felt more like a gathering of old friends. That's when it hit me (though, to be fair, I knew it from my first year here): Mostra isn't just another festival.
After attending the last two editions (2023 and 2024), I can 100% confirm the hype: Mostra is truly special. It's the kind of gathering you chase for years but rarely find: small but significant, daring yet deeply human, a festival that respects the music and the people who love it.
Now, Mostra 2025 is on the horizon (April 17–20), and for the first time, it's moving on from its castle home. A shift like this might make some festivals lose their character, but if there's one thing I trust, the Mostra team knows what they're doing. They don't grow for the sake of it—they evolve because they care.
Mostra started in 2022 as a labor of love, built by a team that wanted something different—a festival that valued artistry over algorithms, experience over excess. By the time the Foso stage arrived in 2024—tucked into Montjuïc's moat and adding a second layer of energy to the festival—it was clear Mostra wasn't just experimenting.
By the end of the 2024 edition, as we reluctantly left the castle in the early hours of Monday, one thought comforted me: Mostra was here to stay, growing organically but staying true to its roots. The organizers made it apparent that this festival, born during the pandemic, would keep evolving carefully – and indeed 2025's plans reflect that.
It's clear that Mostra has grown – from a one-venue upstart in 2022 to a two-venue, four-day affair in 2025 – yet everyone I talk to who's been at the festival agrees it hasn't lost its magic. There's a certain intimacy and authenticity that Mostra retains, no matter its size. Perhaps it's because the team organizes it with so much love (they often say this project came "straight from the heart" during a dark time, and you can feel that sincerity on-site).
Perhaps it's the community-driven feel, where local Barcelona culture isn't an afterthought but the lifeblood of the festival – you see it in everything from the predominantly local food vendors to the eco-friendly initiatives (I love that Mostra has reusable cup systems and even offered free water refills and earplugs, small gestures that show how much they care). Or perhaps it’s the crowd it attracts: passionate music lovers, open-minded and there for the right reasons. I've never experienced any attitude or elitism at Mostra – everyone's just excited to discover music together. There are never insane lines for bathrooms or water; you can get near the front if you want, and artists often wander the grounds after their sets, happy to chat with fans. These human moments are what make Mostra feel unique. It breaks down the usual barrier between artist and audience and between strangers in the crowd, fostering a genuine sense of togetherness.
New Venues, Same Spirit in 2025
Industrial heritage meets electronic futurism. For 2025, Mostra is leaving the castle and spreading its wings across two new venues in Barcelona. The first is Fabra i Coats – Fàbrica de Creació, a 19th-century textile factory turned art hub in the Sant Andreu district. Fabra i Coats will host the festival on Thursday and Friday (April 17–18) from late morning to evening. It's a venue steeped in history and creative energy – a perfect canvas for Mostra's forward-thinking music. After seeing Mostra successfully transform a medieval fortress into a techno playground, I have zero doubt they'll make this historic factory feel like home. I'm thrilled at the idea of dancing among Fabra's iron columns and lofty ceilings, adding a whole new dimension to the experience.
The second venue picks up where Fabra leaves off: on Saturday and Sunday (April 19–20), the action moves to the Vall d'Hebron Olympic Pavilion, with music from midday until 1 AM. This pavilion (built for the '92 Olympics) is a modern indoor arena that once hosted Olympic volleyball and is now about to host cutting-edge electronic acts. Talk about repurposing a space! It's a big step up in capacity, reflecting how Mostra has grown, yet I'm confident the festival's intimate vibe will carry over. The organizers have proven their knack for tailoring each space to their needs – from Hangar to Montjuïc Castle, and now to these new digs. They've earned my trust that Fabra i Coats and Vall d'Hebron will be a perfect fit. Different vibe, new neighborhood, larger scale – sure – but the essence of Mostra will remain. I expect the same thoughtful stage design, crystal-clear sound (Funktion 1 from last year's edition is making its return), and comfortable amenities (yes, even the bathrooms were nice at the castle!) that Mostra is known for, just mapped onto fresh terrain.
Legends, Collaborations, and Fresh Faces: The 2025 Lineup
Of course, a festival lives or dies by its music, and Mostra 2025's lineup has me as giddy as a kid in a candy store. They've curated a mix of true legends, exciting collaborations, and next-gen talent that promises a perfect balance of experience and innovation. On the legends side, we have names that any techno/electronic devotee will salute: Robert Henke, co-founder of Monolake and one of the key minds behind Ableton, will present his latest audiovisual show, Dust. Seeing Henke in an intimate setting is a rare treat—understanding his work is fundamental to understanding electronic music today. Then there's Function, the NYC-Berlin techno icon whose sets are the stuff of Berghain lore, and Peter Van Hoesen, a master of deep, futuristic grooves, who will surprise us with a rare drum & bass set on Friday. Having artists of this caliber on the bill ups the stakes – these folks have made techno what it is. Also, in this veteran realm, I must mention Dasha Rush, who will perform an experimental ambient set on the festival's first day.
What's equally exciting is how Mostra 2025 highlights fresh perspectives and unique collaborations. Lotus Eater, the rare duo of Rrose and Lucy, will perform – that's an experimental techno dream team (their combined alias promises a trip into wonderfully strange territories). And then there's LEVL, a new collaborative project uniting DB1, Felix K, and Forest Drive West. Forest Drive West delivered one of the most talked-about sets at Mostra 2024, so I can't wait to see him back, now teaming up with two other heavy hitters in the leftfield drum & bass/techno scene. LEVL's sound, if their members' solo work is any hint, will defy easy categorization – dark, bass-heavy, and atmospheric. Did I mention that they will play a 4-hour set? Buckle up! These kinds of artist combinations are a Mostra specialty; the festival has a knack for booking projects you won't see anywhere else, making each year's program truly unique.
Mostra also continues its tradition of championing up-and-coming and underground talents. I'm particularly keen to check out Ena, a Japanese producer known for intricate sound design in the drum & bass and experimental realm. (It's no coincidence since Japan is the festival's featured guest country this year, more on that later.) Zara & gi, making their Mostra debut, flying in fresh energy from down under. There's also Carrier, the new alias of Guy Brewer (formerly Shifted) – an artist who's always brought a new twist to techno and breaks. OCCA, another standout from Japan, will push things further into the unknown. And let's not forget Spanish powerhouse Reeko, who'll bring some raw Iberian techno and drum & bass fire, or Antonio Vasquez, who has a rare opportunity and honor to open and close Saturday's program. That's not a small feat. Dub moments will be more present this year, especially with Dialog - the dub-focused project from Samuel Van Dijk (VC-118A) and Rasmus Hedlund, whose live performances have been stealing hearts across Europe. An artist whose DJ set was one of my favorite ones at Paral.lel festival a few years ago, and whose excellent guest mix (smooth, deep, and dubby) we featured recently, Katatonic Silentio, is on a bill on the festival's final day, excitement overload! On Sunday, we will enjoy the set from another gem hailing from Germany; Cio D'or is a true sound architect who has spent decades exploring the depths of electronic music. And then we have o.utlier—one of those names that instantly put a smile on my face when I saw the announcement. His DJ sets and productions always have something unique that sets them apart.
But I have to give a personal shout-out to Lynne. Her 2023 appearance was legendary – an eye-opening set for me. For 2025, she's back on the roster, this time in a different context - the Thursday daylight slot suggests an ambient/not ambient exploration from a Japanese DJ. Carmen Villain, a phenomenal artist from Norway, will follow with an atmospheric dubby live set. Margaux Gazur brings her new live set, a perfect introduction to her upcoming album. Slowfoam will cast a spell with their hybrid set to kick things off on Friday.
But don't sleep on the local names. Mostra has always given Barcelona's scene the respect it deserves, and this year's no different. Expect Bastien, DjSport, Nicolas Melmann, nigul, and Maribel Tafur to deliver sets that might steal the weekend.
Do you think I'll continue without giving a shout-out to the festival's backbone? Of course not. The residents, the masters of their craft - Timnah, ABSIS, and Patrick Russell. We experience a new face of these incredible, inspiring artists each year. For the 2025 edition, Timnah is joined by Varuna's own Mario for the hybrid set to close an opening day in style, Patrick Russell will "wear his ambient/experimental suit" and perform a daytime slot on Friday, while ABSIS, a local legend gets the opportunity to close the festival on a high note on Sunday.
This mix of revered names and "whoa, who is that?!" discoveries makes Mostra's lineup so compelling. By the end of the weekend, you're dancing next to friends saying things like, "I came for Function, but wow, that Katatonic Silentio's set just blew my mind" – and that's exactly what a great festival should do.
One thing I love about Mostra is that it's not just about dancing — it's a cultural immersion. During the festival days, you can step away from the speakers and engage in various stimulating activities. For instance, there's Mostra'm, a series of debates, talks, workshops and seminars that explore deeper corners of electronic music and art. These sessions usually happen in the afternoons and the days before the festival and bring together artists, local activists, and thinkers.
For 2025, I'm particularly intrigued by what Mostra'm will offer because Japan is the festival's guest country this year. They've hinted at a special program focusing on the Japanese electronic scene, likely featuring the Japanese artists on the lineup (like Ena, Lynne, and OCCA) sharing their perspectives. The added depth sets Mostra apart – you're not just raving; you're learning and connecting globally.
The festival also nurtures a sense of community exchange. The record fair (La Fira) that Mostra hosts on-site has been a lovely touch. Imagine a mini-market where local record labels, independent shops, and even gear makers set tables. You can dig through crates of vinyl (from rare techno cuts to ambient releases), discover music zines and merch, and chat with the folks behind Barcelona's underground scene. Mostra encourages that exchange – between artists and fans, locals and internationals, newbies and veterans.
Mostra reminds me why I fell in love with this music in the first place: the sense of discovery, the innovation, and the communal vibe. Mostra's slogan could be "for the love of the scene" because that's the energy that permeates every corner of it. And in 2025, I expect that love to shine even brighter.
See you on the dance floor.