Sónar Festival is attempting to contact alien life with music for its 25th anniversary

by: Grace Fleisher Nov 17, 2017

Barcelona’s Sónar Festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary next year in extraterrestrial fashion by attempting to contact intelligent life with a musical transmission. “Sónar Calling GJ273b,” as it has been dubbed, marks the first communication ever to be sent to a nearby potentially habitable exoplanet.

33 10-second pieces of music have been specially curated for Sónar’s transmission aimed at Luyten’s Star b —12.4 light-years from Earth — chosen for its potential of the Earth receiving a transmission back in 25 years. Contributing artists include the likes of Nina Kraviz, Richie Hawtin, Modeselektor, Jean-Michel Jarre, the Black Madonna, and more.

The first transmission to Luyten Star b was sent back in October, and a second transmission is currently slated for April 2018. Sónar is even going so far as to invite its audience to take part in its endeavor, opening itself up to submissions of original compositions. Three submissions will be included in the upcoming April transmission. Those who are interested can learn more about it on their website.