Hedonism, dancing, spectacle and groove have been intrinsic elements of Sónar's DNA since its first edition. In 2014 they will once again be at the centre of the festival's line-up, focusing especially on the four stages of Sónar by Night.

This year, the festival welcomes several artists with a faultless career and an acknowledged hosts ability to bring any dance floor to the boil. Boys Noize (the nom de guerre of Germany's Alex Ridha) is certainly one of them. He deftly and expertly moves around the areas between techno, house and electro at his Boyz Noize Records label, and his shows are always a spectacle. That is also something that can be said of 2manydjs, who have received worldwide acclaim for their encyclopedic knowledge of the history of dance music and the genius they show in every one of their sets; they will be appearing at Sónar twice this year, with their show at SonarPub on Friday night and together with James Murphy in the Despacio project. France's Brodinski and Gesaffelstein are both at the frontline of international danceable techno, demonstrating talent and personality in both the studio and the booth, where they are two accomplished maestros. And if we're talking about maestros, there are few like Tiga, one of the most respected figures of the last 20 years and a dj with very experienced hands.

Sónar by Night also hosts several recent projects, including dance electronica, hip hop beats, dubstep breaks and British jungle, with great visual shows that will take place at SonarClub, the main stage at Sónar by Night. That is true of the young and already very popular Flux Pavilion; two of the most successful groups in the UK and Europe, Rudimental and I Am Legion, who will both be giving us live shows with pure energy on stage; Pretty Lights, perhaps the foremost producer in the new American cohort, presenting the new tracks from "A Color Map Of The Sun" with an impressive show; and the rhythmic forcefulness of Camo & Krooked, whose sets redefine the power of drum'n'bass with a completely contemporary sound.

Of course, house and its many mutations will be lighting up the four Sónar by Night stages in their own right with some of their most important representatives. The Martinez Brothers have become the most consolidated performers in New York house, and are continuing a tradition in which that American city has always been one of the main epicentres. Meanwhile, from Norway, Todd Terje has already achieved massive success with his excellent cosmic disco gems, like the ones on the recent "It's Album Time". Disco and house are two of the self-confessed passions of the great James Murphy, a specialist in uncovering the genre's hidden gems in bewitching sessions pure distinction. Class and elegance are words that are also a perfect fit for the legendary Leeds label 2020 Vision, which celebrates its 20th anniversary with a showcase at SonarLab on Saturday night, featuring performances by Debukas, Paul Woolford (with a house set) and its founder, Ralph Lawson, one of the finest British djs of all time. The house and dance delegation from the United Kingdom also has three other distinguished representatives: on one hand, Daphni (Dan Snaith of Caribou) and James Holden, who will form an unprecedented and highly stimulating duo on the decks; and on the other, Monki, a dj and star presenter at BBC Radio 1, whose very sensitive ear identifies the best in bass music, new forms of techno and contemporary house.

A special mention is warranted for two of the biggest names at Sónar 2014, who also have dance in their sights: Richie Hawtin, probably the world's most acclaimed dj, who is always one step ahead of the pack with his high-voltage technological sets; and of course, Chic, The legendary band led by Nile Rodgers, whose contribution to funk and the disco tradition is essential for understanding and enjoying the music of many of the artists mentioned above.