It’s that time of the year again! July’s last weekend is coming, and along with it comes Milhões de Festa, our favorite hip music + pretty people Summer festival. So what to expect this year besides baffling concerts and pool partying?
Trombone playing: essentially the same. Yep, seems like Barcelos has finally decided to go steady and not to add any new feature to the fest, after three editions with some experiments but pretty convinced in what works and what to keep. Starting with Taina Stage. Yeah, Taina’s back! Last year I craved for its return and it is back, and the lineup couldn’t be more faithful to the principle of heavy eating, drinking and rocking. But that I’ll speak later on, still in the article, as the first day returns to Cávado’s harcorest belvedere, the remaining days at their time/review. But wait, first day? What about our common denomination of “day 0”?
Well, the previously “unofficial” day of Milhões is now official, counting 4 days of festival. A move that doesn’t affect that much the dynamic of the week – the camping won’t open sooner than that day at noon – and works as a way to increase the importance of having a stage with shows from afternoon to late night. Wait, this is news, no Taina concert started before 9 o’clock a year ago! And it might actually be a great move, because personally I don’t think Taina Stage works great at the Sun’s absence. However, the lineup is appetizing, and let’s check a few shows to watch:
Tamar Aphek. As in what’s usually a habit, I had to search info about this person (at least that I got correct, it’s a name). And here’s what I found: female Israeli, guitarist and singer of Carusella and ED, both Israel stoner rock bands. I advise you to check those bands because little information exits on Tamar’s solo performances (well, there are some videos in her personal facebook but obviously I won’t share them here, you stalkers!), although sources tell me it’s an acoustic set. Pretty way to start, heh?
Canzana and Cangarra. How many bands do you read? If your answer is one or two, wrong! After Canzana and Cangarra (two bands) had giving their solo performance, they’ll reunite synergies to make a very singular performance. Plural. Or singular? Whatever, many numbers of reasons to check these jazz-like jam rockers combined.
PS: another close source (honestly, I’m just checking the official site) suggests it’s in fact an improvise battle?
Spacin’. There’s why “day zero” suddenly it’s day one: because there’s quality bands like Spacin’ playing. Fan of some 21st century psychedelism? Then don’t miss this, they do it good but do it old-school. There’s some garage rock sprinkling in here too, for those who kinda like it more straight. But overall, it’s really one of those typical Milhões concerts where after they get big – or even otherwise –, you’ll get to remember it and be sure why you loved it back then. No doubt one of the must-sees of the night.
Claiana. Clearly the strangest concert of the night, but by no means the worst. Although there’s clearly some problematic afro-beat dragging from those keys and beats, it is shockingly danceable thanks to a mesmerizing voice from its charismatic of simple manners singer. Probably a lot of people will be drunk by then and asking “what the hell?”, so this promises to go splendidly.
Sabre. This would work a lot during the afternoon, but I kinda concur why Milhões didn’t put all his triangles in one basket, because right after Claiana and just before the DJs, there were no other best fitting name than Sabre. Prepare for afternoon coming again and much dancing to do because these tropical rhythms aren’t of possible resistance. This fun and still three full days to go, already worth it.
And after all this, don’t miss the disc-jocking of DJ Lince, DJ Quesadilla, Pedro Beça and DJ TOFU, entitled hosts DJs. Also, during the day, to watch: Phase, the magnificent combo of Ghuna X and Black Bombaim’s Ricardo Miranda; Killing Frost, harcore punk from a returning band of the Portuguese scene; and Holocausto Canibal, given the honors to initiate the metal of the festival, going death. And it’s on, welcome Milhões de Festa 2013!
BSC
bernardo@bolachas.org