My dear north-american readers, this one goes out for you. Not because I believe you’ll eat up this band like manna (although you *should*), but because this northern Portugal-based quartet was kind enough not to name itself “Sensible Footballers” and alienate you forever; I imagine you’d sit there, honey-drenched pancake in fork, pondering on why the hell don’t they have any songs about Tim Tebow or any other jacked-up, helmet-welding, advertisement-darling m(a)(e)ss of a human, and upon discovering that on the other side of the Atlantic we don’t care much about the Superbowl you’d consider nuclear retaliation and turn one of your oldest allies (true, btw) into Europe’s answer to the Sahara Desert. Emanuel Botelho, Manuel Justo, Filipe Azevedo and Hugo Alfredo Gomes go by the name Sensible Soccers, and they were born out of a very small scene that called itself, and I’m literally translating it here, “unemployed pop”, which is a far better choice of words than “hypnagogic” or whatever the fuck hipster musicians call what they do in their bedrooms nowadays. There’s nothing “hipster” about Sensible Soccers, though; think of them as our answer to the wonderful Disco Inferno, even if they themselves have never listened to Disco Inferno (I asked them, they went “what?”). They’ve existed for two years now and have already played in major festivals such as Milhões de Festa and Paredes de Coura, and even played a set in Lisbon’s Boiler Room (I’ll give you a special gift if you can guess, in that video, who I am), and you can check out their music on Bandcamp, which, hopefully, will get you asking for more and salivating like a dog as soon as I mention that they’re putting out a record later on this year. “Sofrendo Por Você” (“Suffering For You”, and now you’ll get the pun in this post’s title) is the advance single, a song they have been playing live for a while now but only recently had the guts to record. It will come out as a special single on Groovement, this very Sunday, and it’s a wonderful 9-minute upbeat track about lost love, which is a very strange kind of paradox – it should be sad, miserable music, but it really isn’t, and it’ll put a smile on your face and possibly make your head nod to the beat. Feel free to check a live version here, although the low sound quality doesn’t make it justice, and dance away the pain of not having your beautiful red miracle kissing you right now. Maybe you’ll even start enjoying footb- oh, sorry, soccer.
Another year gone by and here we are, August coming and still the memories of a fully enjoyed weekend at Barcelos, Braga, Portugal. Yes, it’s Milhões de Festa 2013 and its post-depressing nostalgic memories. But enough fussiness, what’s left of the past weekend? Here’s what, in the first of four parts of the festival’s journal.
Once again and again and again we teamed up with P3 to provide you with the most functional and better looking printable festival timetables. Vodafone Paredes de Coura 2013 takes place exactly two weeks from today (13-17 August) in the idyllic banks of the Taboão river right next to the little town of Paredes de Coura, north of Portugal (near the Northern border with Spain) and this years’ lineup features the likes of Calexico, Belle and Sebastian, The Knife, Alabama Shakes, Echo & the Bunnymen, Justice, Hot Chip, Phosphorescent or Iceage, along with some of the finest Portuguese acts from the last couple of years: Black Bombaim, Noiserv, The Glockenwise, Tape Junk or Sensible Soccers. We’ll be around, come and say hi.
If you can read Portuguese, P3 has an entire section on their website devoted to the festival. You should go there.
First of all, my apologies to those who were more anxious regarding our review on Día de la Música, the event that took place at Matadero Madrid, outdoors, past June 21st and 22nd. It has been a rather busy month. Srsly. And secondly… well I have to admit that there isn’t much to say about it. It wasn’t bad, I had a good time (as in it was fun), although good company always helps in that field (:3). But, with no further delay, here are the highlights of this light and low-cost (this you’ve gotta hand ‘em) urban festival – VERANIEGO!
In the first day there was plenty of people. It was so cheap, and Spaniards have such a huge love for music made-in-Spain. Even when it’s not that good, like awfulLori Meyers (I only heard ‘em slightly, but everybody seemed to enjoy it; even on the queue to take a piss there was this guy who approached a friend of mine and I to be outraged acknowledging our dislike for that act), or when it’s better, like Hola a Todo el Mundo. And then there was one of the most acclaimed indie acts of 2013, Autre Ne Veut, which I wasn’t able to watch as I was having a delicious stake in Madrid on some sort of celebration (not gonna get into details, soz). Oh, and The Horrors was, in a scaring way, quite bad, adding ugly illumination and stuff like that. Had to left before the end, not without ordering an expensive gin and tonic – told you, it was a celebration! Meh…
Fortunately, there was yet to happen a second day saved by, and I’m starting by the very end, Disclosure. I thought I disliked them, by hearing their LP a couple of times, plus that catchy single (RIGHT? AND IT STARTS TO SPREAD?), but c’mon, what a fucking party, gals and guys, geee! 9.0/10, to say the least. Oh, and Darkstar with some beer before those tapas and always very pleasant conversations was cool and gave me a good profile pic for me [sic] fcbk page. Finally, this review wouldn’t be “complete” – will never be without the quotation marks, as I lacked the interest to watch the other unknown or dislikeable names in the line-up – without the amazing performance of Waxahatchee: she was (is) cute, her band played nicely, her songs are sweet, the “““crowd””” (lol, three people) was the best, and then that beautiful cover of “Knocking on Heaven’s Door”…
Sure, I missed Spiritualized, but for that price, it’s pointless to regret going, or to complain about it too much. It was what it was: okay. Let’s wait and see what these guys will do next year. They had already had great acts. I can only wish them luck!
Before I talk about the bands to see at the last day of Milhões de Festa, let me first introduce you to a cuppa surprises. The first I could have mentioned back then at the premier article of novelties for this edition, but the truth is that the performances will occur during these three bigger days of festival, while they occurred in the first last year. Yes, Redbull City Gang is back, now making the connection between the afternoon concerts and main site ones. I will very quickly give you the names, the locations and the time without any further analysis. I guess you’ll catch them just as surprisingly as me. So, if walking near those locations you’re listening to:
Friday 26th
18:00 – Okkur (at Circulo Católico de Operários de Barcelos)
19:00 – Repressão Caótica (at Campo de S. José)
Saturday 27th
18:00 – Loops (at Xispes Bar)
19:00 – Vila Nazca (at Loja de Ferragens)
Sunday 28th
18:00 – Solar Corona (at Rua da Palha)
19:00 – The Classified (at Largo do Apoio)
This information is also available in our enlightening schedule of the festival, alongside with a map of Barcelos indicating all those places, a Bolachas.org and P3 partnership.
Now the second surprise, while it may be a bummer for those who will be camping, is still great: the pretty people of Coronado collective will launch a warm-up party at Xispes Bar, Wednesday the 24th, a day before the first day of Milhões de Festa! Although now we can’t decide what to call it, if “day zero” or “day minus one”, it is no matter what great news for who is really looking forward to have a great time without the burden of concerts to watch. But as it would be expected, there’re still concerts to watch in this one, as for example our fellas SAUR. Don’t you worry about who’s playing, worry instead how to spend the previous night to the first night of Milhões de Festa.
After this, only to miss talking about the artists performing Sunday. Let’s conclude it then!
Hopefully this will happen again.
Pool Stage
Sequin is probably what was missing during these days at the pool: a feminine voice over a cute electronic pop. So necessary after Saturday’s hangout, a trigger happy mood concert this one. By this point, the following artists to perform at the pool have already played in Milhões. At least Torto’s frontman Jorge Coelho has, and if you’re familiar with his guitar skills you know this one is worth a watch. A scattered avant rock to give a more serious feel to a plenty of party local, this actually works (as past events proved), so stay focused. Another return to the festival and Poll Stage too is Long Way to Alaska. I happened to attend that concrete concert and it was alright, it felt a bit minimal on the instrumentation. Let’s see what awaits us this time, with also some new songs on the bunch, because these guys picked a great Grizzly Bear vibe, less saddening however. Finally, get ready for the return of the Hosts DJ of this Milhões’ edition!If you can’t remember who they were, DJ Lynce, DJ Pedro Beça, DJ Quesadilla and DJ TOFU are the names. Let’s hope they achieve the same or better party as Thursday night (yes, I know it will be a great party a priori), and while in it enjoy your last moments of swimming and diving with the appropriate soundtrack.
Taina Stage
I’m somewhat disappointed that this year the Pool Stage lacks some punk bands (there’s one or another who approaches the genre, but still the number’s short this year). Malcriada could be a great get for the pool, but so it is for Taina. If the pool is too soft to cure your hangover, then fear not for Malcriada to start you a new one. And speaking of bands that are pretty much faithful to a genre per se, WASTE is in for the thrash metal. Really, as straightforward as it gets. What a manly start for Taina today. Until BiarooZ is to perform. Suddenly, here’s an electronica band giving you sampling, digital processing and full textured synths. Not what to expect at Taina. Of course, I don’t think it will be reserved a bad reception for them, it’s not unusual these genre mixings in Milhões – the main stages being an unequivocal example -, but it seems curious still for the most rock ‘n’roll stage. Whatever, they took the big hit and now Evols can comfortably play without the pressure of sounding harder to please the staying crowd. I mean, it’s still rock, but in much more sober terrain. While it might be a “no, thank you, I pass” to some, the common person who listens to a corporate rock should really dig it. But meh, Taina deserved a much more representative band to close its food stalls. But wait if you’re hungry for more.
Main Stages
Milhões can really choose the best bands to perform at the sunset. For this last day it’s The Partisan Seed. A one man show made of electric and acoustic guitars and, surprise surprise, a loop station. However, don’t take it for granted as a sameness act, it sometimes gets astonishingly loud, others carefully introspective. And for a fact, Filipe Mirada, the man behind the alter ego, can sing. Gentlemen, start your engines.
Another alter ego in the house! Alex Zhang Hungtai as Dirty Beaches. This Taiwanese evil Elvis Presley is no unknown to Milhões, having performed a tremendous gig two years ago in possibly the worst stage ever known to the festival, something like an unshaded river beach with some sandstorm emerging. Now given a reliable stage, let’s hope he can top that rage and dismal rock ‘n’roll few witnessed back then.
Okay, it’s becoming a little depressing informing of yet another returning band to Milhões de Festa. But hey, it’s the last of the bunch. Riding Pânico to repeat its thrilling performance and unstoppable rock, and this time supporting their new album “Homem Elefante” – Dirty Beaches also has a new record; I really shouldn’t forget to mention this info. That’s it, go crazy with those dance moves.
Time for a Siesta? Not that kind of afternoon nap, you could have plenty of that at the proper time, because like their motto says, “siesta es la fiesta!” (“Nap is the party!”, roughly and unnecessarily translated). And it really is, if the party occurs in the intergalactic space and the duo was shooting each other for ruling the whole galaxy. Don’t worry, it’s not as geek as it looks, there’s a little tongue in cheek to prog rock. In short, one of the greats of the night.
Orange Goblin? Is it some kind of horrorcore hip hop Tyler, the Creatoresque? Nope, another sludge stoner metal band coming to Milhões. But c’mon, you know these shows are always a riot, right? For Orange Goblin, expect more leading guitar and leading singing. The singer is a natural, his voice timbre is just right and by no means forced (like, you know, much others metal acts). I’m seeing some non-metal fans enjoying this, give it a try indeed.
Not in your head but onstage, Zombie Zombie to follow. After you had a laugh with this light Cranberries joke, I must warn you it’s not that kind of DJ set. What kind? You know! Half crowd on drugs and the other half figuring how to dance accordingly, no. This is much more dance moves wise. Great, by this time of the night all you don’t have to let is linger. Good god, moving on.
Hey, Jibóia next?You lied, he played last year!Well, make it a half-lie,because this time is Jibóia Experience. For those who missed Óscar Silva’s performance last year (guilty as charged), now it’s your opportunity to watch an enhancing act! I wonder who he will be bringing onstage (wink, wink, Equations wink, wink). Just make it rock ‘n’roll, there’s not much Milhões left.
Missing some hip hop in this Milhões, right? No more! Finally with Mykki Blanco. I’m just guessing this crave will favor Mykki, as if you know, the cross-dressing wouldn’t at this point of the night! Yeah, it’s weird. Milhões-weird. Besides that weirdness, don’t focus a lot on that, there’s actually good hip hop to listen. Word, ma niggas.
Just like theelectronics brand, El G is digitally yours. At least this show will turn out a lot more fun than I do. Reggaeton? Check. Cumbia? Check. Techno-stuff? Check. And there are more ingredients to this crazy Buenos Aires recipe, what a closer for the festival they managed this year. Jesus.
And here it is! All you can count this Milhões de Festa, 2013 edition. Unless there’s some cancellation ahead, bah. Whatever, enjoy your Milhões! See you there.
