LISB-ON. Photo by Sílvia Fernandes
The birds were chirping, the sun was shining , the beats were kicking and… holy shit, this is right in the center of Lisbon.
It’s unusual for the city center to be the scenario for an open air festival, exceptions being supermarket sponsored public picnics. And Lisb-On makes it work so well. With a name not easy to google, the festival uses the hashtag #jardimsonoro (sonorous garden) to distinguish itself, and places the one stage amidst trees and grass. It’s an idyllic atmosphere that almost makes us forget that just outside the trees the city is still running and the traffic is still going.
The second edition brought bigger names, and with them, bigger crowds. The festival struggled the first day, with long lines for, pretty much, everything. A long line was spotted at the entrance, and the charging of the electronic bracelet for purchasing drinks and foods brought even more waiting to those hoping to have a beer or a fancy drink.
Meanwhile, those who got in early enough got to enjoy free food to the smooth sounds brought by Isilda Sanches of Rádio Oxigénio, and relax sitting on the grass or on some of the beach chairs available.
Fandango. Photo by Sílvia Fernandes
Gabriel Gomes and Luís Varatojo introduced us to Fandango, their brand new project, where Portuguese traditional music meets the dancefloor. With a long history in the Portuguese music scene, both musicians were completely at ease in the electronic festival. Suddenly, the accordion or Portuguese guitar had become best friends with the backing beats and rhythms and it didn’t seem as anything could go wrong. A different sound from everything else playing in the festival, you can expect them to draw a few weirded out looks and to become a crowd appeasing act after the synth settles in.
Mirror People. Photo by Sílvia Fernandes
Crowds were still finding their way in when Rui Maia stepped to the stage as Mirror People, and being soon after followed by the Voyager Band. Although very similar to what he has been doing around the country during the summer, the band really made the difference in terms of warmness to its sound. It’s a totally new experience when you distinguish the drums during the beat of the synths, or when the bass guitar adds an organic bass line to the songs. The set was a well packed shot of electro pop, reaching new heights when accompanied by the live vocals of Maria do Rosário. While Rui remains inconspicuous behind the synths, a barefoot Maria takes on the band lead and gets people attention. Watching Mirror People play is never a wrong choice, and getting to see the new album Voyager played live makes it obvious that Rui and the band still have a lot up their sleeves.
Palms Trax. Photo by Sílvia Fernandes
A little schedule switcheroo catched some people by surprise when Jay Donaldson showed up instead of the previously announced Nicolas Jaar. Not that we minded, any time is a good time to catch Palms Trax doing his thing on stage. Many others were disappointed to miss the chance to see him for the first time in Portugal, while still being stuck outside on the line to get in. As the sun was getting ready to say for the day, BPM’s inside Lisb-On were increasing. And don’t let his boyish lookings fool you, Palms Trax’s set is not joke. From techno synths to soulful tunes, the majority of the sitting crowd was starting to get up and feeling the need to move. We bet he won’t take long to come back (Lux Frágil, make it happen).
Nicolas Jaar. Photo by Sílvia Fernandes
In Portugal we easily create love affairs with bands and musicians. There’s the chosen ones, the ones who the Portuguese audience will never get tired from and will always welcome with smiles. Nicolas Jaar is one of the chosen ones. And let me tell you, he knows how to play a crowd. Who else to begin a set with “Vampiros” by Zeca Afonso, the 1963 poetic intervention ode to the fascist “vampires” who eat it all and leave nothing. The song brought the crowds’ biggest reaction yet, as only the Portuguese language can. Arms were raised, approving whistling was heard, hands were clapping, and the amorous affair with Jaar was once again rekindled. But as in any Nicolar Jaar set, there was time to travel all over the place. Minimal, funk, disco, house, gospel, you name it. The important thing is leaving every electronic heart fulfilled. Feeling down and need a pick me up? Let Nicolas Jaar take care of it.
Nina Kraviz. Photo by Sílvia Fernandes
The night (ha, it was only 9 pm!) began with an uncomfortable Nina Kraviz behind the mixers. The reason? The entire front row demanding for the sound to be louder and complaining with fists raised to the security guards. And frankly, the sound was indeed lower than it had been in the previous set – actually, all the previous acts had the best sound mixtures we’ve heard the whole Summer, great sound all around. Amidst mixer changes and the angry whistles of the crowd, things were shaping up to go south once again. Nina held her ground nonetheless, and worked with what she had. The fact that the festival is surrounded by expensive hotels was probably not helping to the whole “we need it to be LOUDER, NOW!” side. Whether the crowd ended up being hypnotized by the wacky projections on the trees or the glowing target that surrounded the stage, Nina’s circular bass tunes must have helped. As the volume seemed to increase and people were starting to enjoy it better, the Bolachas’ team left to continue the Saturday night fun.
BSC + SMF