Lana Del Rey: The Queen of Primavera Sound

Lana Del Rey has become a true legend of Primavera Sound with her much-anticipated performance, which turned into the highlight of an unforgettable day. The crowd, who had patiently waited five hours in front of the stage, wasn’t fazed by the additional 25 minutes the American diva took to appear. Dressed like a modern vestal, with sculpted hair and boots reminiscent of Elton John in Rocket Man, Lana moved with celestial calmness, like a true deity.

From the very first moment, the crowd responded with enthusiasm. She greeted with poise in a lavishly decorated set and began her performance with «Without You,» followed by hits like «West Coast,» «Summertime Sadness,» «Doin’ Time,» and «Ride.» The energy and emotion from the audience confirmed her status as the queen of the festival as she carried on with her performance without a hair out of place.

A significant part of Lana Del Rey’s success lies in her lack of gesticulation. Meticulously crafting her persona, she presents herself as a divine diva: the less gesticulation, sweat, movement, or mortal attributes, the greater her impact. Additionally, her contralto voice adds a depth to her words, amplified at Primavera Sound in songs like «Born To Die.» She also showcased the versatility of her voice in «The Grants,» where she at times sounded like a pleading young girl. Altogether, Lana Del Rey is the perfect construction of a phenomenon where every element contributes to achieving the impossible: being an accessible deity, a goddess speaking in human terms.

Embracing her persona as a Hollywood diva from the fifties, she stormed the main stage at Primavera Sound with a half-hour delay. Normal for her, but a challenge for a festival that otherwise runs like clockwork. The impatient audience had some humorous outbursts, like chanting “Taylor, Taylor!” However, her massive and diverse audience, although predominantly teenage, welcomed her with enthusiasm and devotion.

Preceded by positive reviews of her new album Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd, Lana showcased her talent beyond her retro appearance and pop airs. She started with «Without You,» an extended track from her 2012 album Born to Die, and continued with «West Coast» from the Ultraviolence album. After a tease of the classic «Summertime,» she performed «Summertime Sadness,» perfectly chorused by the audience. This was followed by «Cherry,» «Doin’ Time,» «Pretty When You Cry,» among other hits.

The power of her enveloping voice (in «Born to Die,» for instance, she employed more grandiose sound effects) and her timeless fifties-style headband and teased hair—like a cinematic Cleopatra with glitter boots—immerse the audience in parallel worlds. Her presence evoked both the glamorous and reassuring wife every jet-setting man of the era desired and the priestess of a chic yogi community, mesmerized by her natural wisdom.

Lana Del Rey ended her performance with «Young & Beautiful,» showing that, despite the dancers, musicians on stage, and elaborate decor, the only important thing was a goddess capable of singing «Videogames» as if it were a secular bible. At Primavera Sound, Lana Del Rey reaffirmed herself as a divine figure in the music scene, leaving an indelible mark on the festival and the hearts of her followers.

Words: @annaamaso