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Sónar founders step down amid ownership controversy
The three founders of Spain’s Sónar Festival — Enric Palau, Ricard Robles, and Sergio Caballero — have stepped back from their roles in the organisation, more than 30 years after launching the Barcelona-based event in 1994.
According to La Vanguardia, the decision follows ongoing controversy surrounding Sónar’s ownership under Superstruct Entertainment and its parent company, global investment firm KKR.
Sónar remained under the ownership of Palau, Robles, and Caballero until 2018, when they sold a majority stake to Superstruct Entertainment, the European live entertainment group founded by James Barton in 2017. Superstruct was subsequently acquired by U.S.-based KKR in June 2024.
La Vanguardia reports that Belgian promoter François Jozic, co-founder of Brunch Elektronik and CEO of Superstruct’s Centris Group—which also oversees Off Sónar, Hivernacle, and Re-Cup Europe—has now taken over as CEO of Sónar. Ventura Barba, who joined the management team as a partner and has served as CEO, will also depart by the end of the year after supporting the transition.
The leadership changes follow a period of public criticism and artist withdrawals from this year’s edition, with calls for a boycott over KKR’s alleged investments linked to weapons manufacturing, energy infrastructure, and Israeli companies operating in Palestinian territories.
Earlier this year, Sónar issued a statement asserting that the festival “will not send a single euro” to KKR in response to concerns raised by artists and the wider music community.