Primavera Sound, which holds its 2024 edition next weekend, has renamed one of its stages for the late Steve Albini. His band Shellac first played the Barcelona festival in 2006 and went on to play more than a dozen times, including all of the other satellite festivals (Madrid, Porto, etc), and were set to perform this year. Stereogum points out that the stage they were set to play, which is across from the Plenitude Stage, has now been renamed the Steve Albini Stage.
Primavera writes: “Farewell, Steve. Although it will be the first year since 2007 in which he will not command the inimitable Shellac at his annual date with his favourite festival, the figure of the late Steve Albini will be more present than ever at Primavera Sound. The Steve Albini stage, situated opposite the Plenitude stage, will be a tribute to an irreplaceable member of the Primavera family, although he will, in fact, be honoured in every inch of the Parc del Fòrum, during every second of the festival.”
Shellac were set to play May 30 and their slot will now be a listening party for the band’s new album To All Trains: “At that time their stage will become the meeting point for fans who want to say goodbye to Albini while their new album, To All Trains, is playing. Inevitably Primavera Sound has lost a compass, but fortunately Steve Albini has marked the way forward forever.”
Steve Albini died of a heart attack on May 7 at age 61. You can read tributes here.
Shellac and Big Black’s albums are back on streaming services.
Primavera Sound have also announced this year’s set times which you can check out here. It will also stream live via Amazon Prime Video.