has long Paredes de Coura became a place of worship . Every year, thousands of festival-goers are moving to the small village Minho to celebrate the best of music – from there but also here. As true believers, exchange the comfort of a warm bed for a poorly mounted tent, a cold shower in the river Coura and a beer that leaves the icy hands when the body already calls for heat. But the soundtrack is almost always to envy, and it makes it all worth it.
Earlier this week, the organization warned that since there were only three thousand passes at the box office. The first day was quiet, awaiting a flood from Thursday, with the return (double) of LCD Soundsystem.
Since Wednesday, and only the main stage working ( tomorrow joins the Stage Vodafone FM and Stage Jazz) passed the Portuguese We Trust, Best Youth and Black Ear, super-band Minor Victories and project New Zealander Ruban Nielson, the very beloved Unknown Mortal Orchestra .
warm start allows you to see, however, to travel to Paredes de Coura is a tradition already with a respectable rank 24 issues, but the public’s youth shows that the little old festival is not only for nostalgic. The space was slightly enlarged, the camping is full a few days ago, which proves that there are those who take advantage of the ticket to spend a holiday by the river, and not the sudden temperature drop is able to ward off the music lovers.
The feeling was is summarized thus: four come to an orchestra. Because the hype the band based in Portland (USA) has this as a basis, a set (small) of virtuoso musicians that are sufficient by themselves and the music they make, on a bare stage.
the New Zealander Ruban Nielson, lead singer and guitarist, never delay to show that dominates the guitar with his fingers and voice. It is that sometimes talk to her, to use her voice as a sound that complements the sharp electric guitar. It takes real skill
All the musicians are very good, playing with an improvisation that gives them joy and all have space, however brief, to show what they are worth -. being alone on stage in “freestyle “passing through pop, the rock and jazz.
Ruban Nielson sang not particularly well but it was how much was enough to trust us spot in front of the stage, to the point to shoot for one minute crowdsurf , never stop singing. Showed equal comfortable to sit on the floor, his back to the audience, in one of those conversations between instruments that lasts as long as you have to last.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra are repeaters in these parts, were here together the river Coura in 2013 to present the album II , which confirmed the great success of the first and namesake, 2011. Since then gained traction and the public, it is safe to say that are always well received by here (were last year at the Super Bock Super Rock) though, as some say, Multi-Love (2015) have turned a line less “risky”, more pop.
But this was, unsurprisingly, the center of attention of the show tonight, with either hit older poking alignment. For closing left one that was perhaps the song most finely-tuned night, “Can not Keep Checking My Phone”. The rest was a kind of instrumental madness, a journey that many already know and appreciate. They say they like to come to Portugal and will return, it’s pretty clean. [PE]
The night had then begun to fall when portuenses We Trust entered stage. Accompanied by an orchestra of young musicians from Paredes de Coura, the band André Tentugal – which is far from being a rookie at the festival – presented a different spectacle he called We Trust Ft Coura All Stars
.. The time was thankless. Not far away, in a Gypsy caravan by the roadside, a crowd watching closely to FC Porto, AS Roma. More interested in the ball than the music, many have chosen to enter the enclosure later – after a fine how and a pork fillets in bread. And it was noted, but Tentugal not made to beg. Greeted by who was there with a smile and guitar over his shoulder: “Goodnight everyone, welcome to Paredes de Coura Festival! It is an honor to be opening this festival. Let’s sing together, will you? “.
The response was warm, but that did not stop We Trust let alone Coura All Stars. “If I had to choose a time to play, it would be this. The twilight “Tentugal admitted shooting with a slow song. The song could not be cheerful, but the saddest thing came later.
In the middle of the concert, André Tentugal announced that We Trust would take a break. “This is our last concert” , admitted. The last in a festival where five years ago, the band had given his first big concert -. Not that gigantic main stage, but in the secondary
Farewells are always hard, so when it came end Tentugal just said, “Be happy.” [RC]
Those who have been distracted in recent months could look at the poster of this first day of Paredes de Coura and easily meet the Portuguese We Trust, Best Youth and Black Ear, and headliners Unknown mortal Orchestra. Minor Victories could they cause some awkwardness. At least until the start of the concert at 22:45, when they entered the stage Stuart Braithwaite and Martin Bulloch, we know so well from Mogwai, Justin Lockey, of Editors, and Rachel Goswell, of Slowdive.
We supergroup , as they say. What does not mean that it will automatically translate a super concert. Ears try to decipher the influences brought by each of them, in songs like “Cogs” or “Higher Hopes”, the first and only album, self-titled, released this year. The need to choose a dominant sound is the post-rock, with the growing musical that farewell song, “Out to Sea,” is a good example.
It was one of the strongest moments of the show but we can not say that the performance of the five musicians have left the audience ecstatic – in fact, few seemed to know the songs, although that there were no longer stand expectantly. Small victories for a collective accustomed to greater recognition in their other projects. [SOC]
with the Portuguese Best Youth, always know up to what count – the dances of Catherine, the shake of the head, the psychedelic lights in a circle and that indie pop that is in the ear. Assiduous presence in any musical event with the stamp Vodafone, the band of Porto is always a safe bet capable. That is noted. After all, when took the stage (already after 21h), the room was well made and it was they who received the first standing ovation of the night. The help to the party, was the result of the ball – FC Porto had tied
But you can not say that the concert has brought something new.. The alignment made of removed subjects especially the debut album Higway Moon (2015), had the hit custom like “hang out”, and cover “Never Tear Us Apart”, the Australian INXS. In the end, it was hard not to get the idea that each concert Best Youth is a repetition of the previous one. Perhaps more refined, of course, but not much to add. Like many others. [RC]
The night closed with another band repeater in Couta walls (there are many poster this year). The Black Ear remain a reference in the panorama funk, soul and hip hop Portuguese a still tight classification, such is the mix of genres and styles that fit that song. Were an ever-oiled machine that closed this first night, with panache but without much shine. It was the first day, was to heat.
Rita Cipriano text, Pedro Esteves and Sara Otto Coelho Hugo Amaral photography.
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