GSMA and Sónar release first details of xside

The GSMA’s successful Four Years From Now (4YFN) start-up platform and Sónar, the international festival devoted to advanced music, creativity and technology, today announced further details of their hotly anticipated co-curated event, xside. Taking place within the 4YFN venue, from 24-26 February 2020 at Fira Montjuïc, in parallel to 4YFN and MWC Barcelona 2020, xside is a new gathering including conference, networking and music to explore the role technology, design and innovation play in the future of creativity, cultures and business.

As the creative heart of 4YFN and MWC Barcelona, xside is designed to create links between Sónar’s audience of creative communities, and the technological and entrepreneurial attendees of the world’s largest mobile event. It is the first integrated convergence event of its kind on this scale, co-created by leading event brands of music, creativity, technology, design and entrepreneurship. xside will welcome over 25,000 attendees across three days and over 5,000 revellers each night.

“xside is a fantastic meeting of cultures, industries and creative minds, bringing together two of Barcelona’s premier events, each representing significant but distinct communities,” said John Hoffman, CEO GSMA Ltd. “By launching such a hub of creative excellence, that celebrates the ideas, skills and people that are leading future change, we will shape the relationship between design, culture and technology for the benefit of everyone these industries as well as other sectors.”

“xside is the creative and content hub of the biggest tech week in the world, a ground-breaking gathering to explore the role of technology, design and innovation play in the future of creativity, cultures and business. The collaboration with the GSMA’s 4YFN and MWC Barcelona for the creation and organization of xside, is increasing our long-time effort to increase public awareness of the important role that creativity technology plays in society: changing our present and imagining new futures,” said Ventura Barba, Executive Director Advanced Music, SL (Sónar and Sónar+D).