Moloko in 2003’s edition of Sudoeste Festival in Zambujeira do Mar. I remember being hypnotised by their musicality. From the way the synths sounded, to the mind-blowing organ on Forever More! Not to mention the way Róisín (Murphy) moved and sang, that night all I wanted was to be her. She’s still today, one of my biggest inspirations.
In Porto, you have Passos Manuel, Maus Hábitos and Pérola Negra to name a few. In Lisbon, you have Musicbox, Lounge and Casa Independente.
Conjunto Corona, and Joana Espadinha.
As I’m from Porto, I got to say, Casa da Música (Room 2) and Passos Manuel for a more low-key gig. Even though there are a lot of great venues around Portugal, I have special memories of Bons Sons Festival in Tomar and Paredes Coura Festival (in Paredes de Coura). The crowds at these two festivals aren’t like those at other music festivals I’ve been to. They are there specifically for the music only, and they’ll do anything just to listen to you for a little bit longer. It’s as if they’re in a closed venue and not in festivals. It’s amazing!
Stop is a shopping mall, born in the late ’80s that over the years has transformed itself into this music community that actually helped the mall stay afloat all this time. Slowly musicians from different genres have started reviving those old blank spaces and turning them into music hubs for creating, rehearsing and producing music. It has a really cool mystique to it, and there are always new sounds and people coming in. When the “Nightfalls”, that’s where you’ll find us.
These type of questions are always so hard… So, I’ll name my three faves right now (not in a particular order):
Samuel Úria – Mãos
Joana Espadinha – Leva-me a Dançar
Capitão Fausto – Amor a Nossa Vida
My head, it takes me everywhere!
“Porto is like a sophisticated village with great views, food, a really cool cultural scene and home to some of the warmest people in the world.”
A sophisticated village with great views, food, a really cool cultural scene and home to some of the warmest people in the world that will try to understand every language they can so you won’t feel like an outsider.
Foz (live), Campanhã (work) and Baixa/Downtown (play).
If it’s sunny and hot, definitely, the beach. If it’s cold and rainy, my house by fireplace or in the studio.
Obrigada Eu 😉
Here's hoping you create new memories here in Portugal. Tag us on Instagram (we would love it if you do!) and let us know how it goes. 🤗
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Obrigada,
xx
Joana and Sofia
© Photos by JO&SO and by each of the mentioned places.
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