Festival Med Part 2, Rising Portuguese Talent, Kora Master and Much More

The first day of concerts at Festival Med took place on June 27, 2024. Once you get your ticket, you have access to all stages. The venues vary in size. The largest is Matriz which is where the largest acts are scheduled to perform.

Attendance at the festival is quite large, so you have to choose which stage you want to go to. Seating and capacity are limited in the smaller venues like Hamman. Along the street you’ll find booths selling crafts and some food. You may also stumble upon some street performers like stilt walkers, brass band

s or folk groups. The restaurants and cafés included within the festival area are also open.

Widad Mjama & Khalil Epi

Morocco was the special guest at Festival Med in 2024. Widad Mjama & Khalil Epi’s AÏTA Project opened the festival at Chafariz stage.

The AÏTA artistic project, led by Widad Mjama, stems from her deep fascination with the Chikhates, the Moroccan singers and poets who preserve a tradition dating back to the 12th century. “Aïta Mon Amour,” her latest creation in collaboration with Khalil Epi, ambitiously aims to revive this forgotten poetry and reintroduce traditional Moroccan art in the contemporary digital age.

Cara de Espelho

Portuguese band Cara de Espelho performed at Cerca, a mid-sized stage. I was familiar with this excellent band. It’s one of the rising stars of the Portuguese contemporary folk music scene. In January 2024, they released their self-titled album on the Locomotiva Azul label.

This group features individuals with extensive experience: Pedro da Silva Martins, a key figure in Deolinda, who also wrote for Ana Moura, António Zambujo, and Lena d’Água. Carlos Guerreiro, a crucial member of Gaiteiros de Lisboa, collaborated with José Afonso, Fausto, and the GAC. Nuno Prata is best known for his work with Ornatos Violeta. Meanwhile, Luís J Martins’ guitars have appeared in music by Deolinda, António Zambujo, and Cristina Branco. Sérgio Nascimento has been a rhythmic force for many, including Sérgio Godinho, David Fonseca, Humanos, and Deolinda. Maria Antónia Mendes, known from A Naifa and Señoritas, provides a soulful and distinctive voice.

With such collective talent, Cara de Espelho creates songs with a deep connection to Portuguese folk and traditional music, coupled with sharp social commentary. Despite their roots, the group’s vision is forward-looking, aiming for renewal, intervention, and a strong commitment to the world. Their outstanding live performances validate this vision.

João Frade Trio featuring Miron Rafajlović

The festival presented quite a few highly talented Portuguese artists. For their outstanding performance at Festival MED’s Caatelo stage, João Frade’s trio was joined by a special guest, Miron Rafajlović.

João Frade, a brilliant accordionist from the Algarve, is widely recognized both in Portugal and internationally. His musical journey has led him to collaborate with prominent artists such as Maria João, Mário Laginha, Mariza, Pedro Jóia, Lura, Jorge Pardo, and Munir Hossn. Currently, he is a regular presence alongside fado star Mariza, the latest chapter in a career marked by numerous awards, including the title of accordion world champion. Deeply respectful of the rich musical heritage of the Algarve, Frade has devoted himself to exploring the region’s diverse accordion styles like corridinho, bailes de roda, and zagorrinha.

Together with Cuban musicians Michael Olivera and Yarel Hernández, Frade has formed a jazz trio, innovatively mixing these traditions. The trio’s synergy and energy, driven by the Cuban rhythm section based in Madrid, are unmistakable. Olivera and Hernandez maintain a continuous musical dialog, supporting Frade’s solo performances while ensuring fluidity and infectious rhythm throughout.

Born in Sarajevo, Rafajlović developed a profound love for music early in life. A refugee due to war, he moved to Canada, where he discovered jazz and developed his engaging trumpet skills. In 2007, Rafajlović joined the original cast of Cirque du Soleil’s “Kooza,” touring the world for nearly a decade. By 2014, he had established himself in Spain as one of Europe’s most sought-after trumpet players, leaving his mark on Grammy-winning Latin recordings and various soundtracks.

Ballaké Sissoko

One of the highlights of the night, Ballaké Sissoko, performed at the historic Hamman stage to a packed crowd. The Malian kora virtuoso delivered an exquisite solo performance. He played delightful, evocative and captivating pieces from his 2021 album A Touma.

Kumbia Boruka

The Kumbia Boruka collective performed at the Matriz stage. As the name indicates, this band’s sound is rooted in the irresistible cumbia rhythm. Although the cumbia is originally from Colombia, various forms of cumbia sprouted in other Spanish-speaking countries, like Mexico.

The ensemble has been delivering their high energy music since 2010 when Mexican percussionist Hernan Cortés Nava arrived in Lyon, France. Hernan and his eight-member band have built a reputation across Europe and Latin America through numerous artistic collaborations. Their albums La Vida se Vive and El Remedio present unique interpretations of Cumbia’s nuances. Kumbia Boruka’s third album, Santa Suerte, released in late 2023, preserves the vibrant essence of cumbia through modern and imaginative approaches.

Albaluna

One of my favorite Portuguese bands is Albaluna. They perform a fantastic mix of world fusion, progressive rock, metal, folk, and fusion using hurdy-gurdy, pipes, fiddle, percussion and electric guitar and bass.

Founded by multi-instrumentalist and composer Ruben Monteiro, Albaluna creates original compositions inspired by the rich heritage of the Mediterranean and the Iberian Peninsula. Albaluna’s released their debut album, D’Antes, in 2010, which drew inspiration from traditional and medieval Iberian music. They have since released several other works, including the albums Alvorada da Lua in 2014 and Nau dos Corvos in 2016, which were influenced by Turkish and Balkan music.

In January 2019, they released the single “Gargull,” followed by the album “Amor, Ira & Desgosto,” which combines poetry and music with influences ranging from Turkish melodies to progressive rock. In 2020, Albaluna released Rotas Romani, an album inspired by the Romani diaspora, and the EP Ensemble Intercultural, a collaboration with the immigrant community of Torres Vedras. Their discography is completed by Heptad in 2021 and the latest release, Ennead, in 2024.

For their performance at Festival MED, Albaluna invited Egyptian artist Ahmed Hamdi Moussa.

Dubioza Kolektiv

Dubioza Kolektiv brought to Loulé’s Mayriz stage the sounds of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The group combines genres such as ska, punk, reggae, and hip-hop, challenging musical and social boundaries with their animated, message-laden music. Their self-titled debut album in 2004 revitalized the country’s music scene. Albums like Dubnamite and Firma Illegal boldly confronted nationalism and social injustice, positioning the band as a voice of resistance in a region still rebuilding. In the meantime, their latest album, Agrikultura, addresses urgent issues in modern agriculture and the future of food in an increasingly digital world.

47Soul

47Soul

I missed the show by 47Soul, a Palestinian musical collective formed in Jordan in 2013 that pioneered the Shamstep genre. They intertwine hip-hop, electronic music, and R&B with the vibrant sounds of Dabke.

Puuluup

A group I also enjoy quite a bit is Estonian duo Puuluup. Their music is a deeply original fusion of ancient Estonian and Northern European traditions. The two musicians employ two hiiu kannels (ancient zithers also known as talharpas) skillfully manipulated with electronic effects and experimental techniques. Their discography includes S​ü​ü​ta mu lumi (Õunaviks, 2018), Kasekesed / K​ä​papuu (Õunaviks, 2020) and Viimane suusataja (Õunaviks, 2021).

Late Night Concerts

The rest of the concerts that night included Reunion Island band Mouvman Alé led by charismatic singer and songwriter Franswa Virassamy-Macé. Their music amalgamates hypnotic psychedelic rock, pop, traditional Réunion rhythms, and contemporary electronic production. Their EP Romans Non-Galizé serves as a crucial introduction to the band.

Congolese outfit Kin’Gongolo Kiniata straight away transports one to the bustling streets of Kinshasa, Congo. Their celebratory electronic infused Afropop music emulates the frenetic rhythms of urban Congo, the sounds of crowded streets, the lively markets, and the constant movement of people. Additionally, the lyrics, sung in Lingala, address profound and varied themes, focusing on hope and perseverance.

The last scheduled act, deep into the night, was NOMAD, a DJ duo formed by Fábio Antão and Paulo Monteiro. They create musical experiences that take listeners on an exuberant global journey.

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