The festival layout is slightly different from the norm. Sonar is divided into two sections: Sonar by Day and Sonar by Night. By day at CCCB and MACBA, in addition to the many exhibitions, including audiovisual screenings, showcases and conferences, an endless amount of quality music is supplied. By night, the festival moves to Fira Gran Via L’Hospitalet and turns into a good old-fashioned all-out rave with some of the biggest names performing. These include, among others, the legendary Orbital, who have been the benchmark of electronica for years, queen of disco-pop Grace Jones, techno master Jeff Mills and German duo Shed and Marcel Dettmann.

Last year’s attendance of 80,000 is ample proof that this Barcelona festival cannot be missed. Just to show that our Miniguide festival cheer knows no limits, we decided to catch up with one of Sonar headliners, UK beatboxing sensation Beardyman – another Sonar virgin – for a quick update on his appearance at the festival and everything else he’s got coming down the pipeline. Although Sonar-goers will only have the chance to catch his unique talent during a 30 minute cameo on Saturday night, those who’d like to see more – and believe me a look at the related links will convince you that you do – can do so by enjoying a different sort of come-down on their Sunday.

SonarKids is an additional fourth day that takes place at the CCCB and MACBA from 12pm onwards, and offers both adults and kids a chance to experience a very unique festival atmosphere. Besides the endless activities – DJ and beatboxing workshops, a finger-skating area and a group of hip-hop dance choreographers - the artists’ performances will be specially designed to suit the wide range of party-goers; both young and old. How exactly remains to be seen as Beardyman for one wasn’t giving too much away …

“I don’t actually know what I’m going to play yet,” laughs Beardyman – real name Darren Foreman – when we talked three days before the start of the festival. “There are more than 300 songs I could do, but I only tend to plan my intro and then improvise from there really!” he admits.

His methods may be unconventional, but this is no novice we’re talking about. Beardyman has plenty of festival experience and this summer alone, he is booked to play at over 10 festivals in the UK and several abroad. He has also hosted his own stage at Camp Bestival – a UK festival hosted by BBC Radio 1 DJ, Rob Da Bank – where he kept a large number of kids bouncing throughout. “Kids are sometimes easier to please than adults,” he confesses. “As long as you keep them interested they’ll have a good time. At Sonar my set might possibly be more house-orientated, but that’s about all I know so far!” he teases.

Combining beatboxing – an art which involves producing rhythms, drum beats and musical sounds with one’s mouth, lips, tongue and voice – with a variety of electronic gadgets, Beardyman is a phenomenon who creates a show which is part music, part humor, but all talent.

“Everything you hear during a show is made on the spot. There is no pre-recorded material and there is a lot of improvisation,” he explains. As for those who argue that by using equipment he gives himself an unfair advantage, his answer is clear: “People who think I’m cheating are missing the point. There are two sides to my show: what I do through beatboxing and what I do with the equipment. There are things I can’t do without the gadgets, especially the Kaoss Pad 3, but that’s the beauty of them. They allow me to create music in a different way.”

Just as many before him, his musical fascination began by listening to his parents’ records and practicing on his own. “I’ve been beatboxing since I was three but I’ve always wanted to entertain. I remember seeing Rahzel – legendary beatboxer formerly of The Roots – in concert a few years back. It wasn’t so much what he did, but how he could hold a crowd for so long,” he recalls. “I’ve always been a showman and I knew that this was the path I wanted to follow.”

In 2006 and 2007, he became the first man to ever win the UK beatboxing championship twice in a row. “I wasn’t the best beatboxer there but I won by performing slightly differently and using humor,” he reminisces.

He has come a long way since then. Having collaborated with the likes of Fatboy Slim, Grooverider and Andy C, toured with Groove Armada and mixed tracks with the Qemists, he has achieved what many could only dream about accomplishing. And he’s not done yet either. “I’d still love to do so many things,” he says. “Diplo, Aphex Twin, David Gilmour; there are so many people I’d love to work with.”

Undoubtedly, the future looks golden for the bearded one. His forthcoming show at London’s Southbank Center is his latest experiment. Named Beardyman’s Complete and Udder Shambles, it follows on from his now legendary Battle Jam nights with 2007 UK DMC champion JFB. “It is difficult to describe but I guess it’s a kind of music/comedy show,” he explains. As usual, everything is improvised and the music mixes both solo and group performances with crowd interaction. “There’s a mad vibe to Battle Jam nights and I hope we can replicate that at Southbank. My brother who is a music comedian is getting involved, and we’ve got Reggie Watts joining us from the US as well as a guitarist, a freestyle MC, a sax and flute player and so much more.” The aim is clear, to develop his music further and push the boundaries as far as possible.

With his first solo album also expected in March of next year, it promises to be quite a year. For those who want to experience music in its rarest form, the €18 entrance at SonarKids promises to be one of the bargains of the festival.

June 18th-20th