BE PROG! MY FRIEND

After a successful comeback in 2024, Be Prog! is expanding carefully. Now set in a sci-fi-styled corner of the Poble Espanyol museum, organisers have added four extra bands and upgraded the food and chill-out zones. Across 12 colourful sets, the atmosphere at Catalonia's premier prog gathering is joyous.

- PHIL WELLER

Basque instrumentalists Lampr3a launch headfirst into barraging guitar acrobatics and jagged grooves galore. Their technical prowess transcends their extreme metal roots for an attention-grabbing opener.

Dry River are more traditional proggers. Originally a Dream Theater/Queen/Van Halen tribute band, that triptych of influences blends seamlessly with their own camp razzamatazz, smart musicianship, and commanding stage presence.

Beneath Threshold's 90s prog-metal shtick, there's a progressive undercurrent, but it feels like painting by numbers. Glynn Morgan's voice struggles at points, and that's indicative of their wider set. Slipstream has driving riffwork and a catchy, if unremarkable chorus, but otherwise, they're pretty cookie cutter. There's emotion in these songs, but it's lacking in their execution.

That's countered by late additions Persefone, who play like they mean it. Their aggressive sound isn't for everyone, but their passion and grit has universal appeal. Ethereal sidesteps widen their scope, and as the sun dips below Poble Espanyol's Wembley-like arches, they illuminate to the sound of breakneck riffs and lofty-but-brutal choruses.

Friday night's headliners Tesseract have been injecting more theatre into their stagecraft of late.