Portugal’s capital is no stranger to music with its traditional Fado always a popular draw. However the city has plenty of alternative forms of musical expression and this summer visitors can head to a host of music events which cater to all tastes. Listed below is the TripReporter guide to some of this summer’s top music festivals in Lisbon:
Optimus Alive
10th, 12th and 13th July 2014, Algés Promenade (Oeiras)
Optimus Alive, considered “one of Europe’s best festivals” by Time Out London, celebrates its 8th edition with an unrivalled line-up. Artic Monkeys, The Black Keys, The Libertines, Imagine Dragons, The Lumineers and Bastille are just some of the bands who will be performing during the three-day event on the Oeiras sea front, located just 13km away from the city centre.
Price: One-day ticket: £45; three-day ticket: £90. There is a nearby campsite offering free shuttle buses to and from the event.
Super Bock Super Rock Festival
17th – 19th July 2014, Meco (Greater Lisbon)
The 20th edition of the Super Bock Super Rock Festival, whose first edition was held in 1995, promises to bring to Portugal some of the best live performers on the rock circuit. Surrounded by pine trees, the festival features three stages for pop, alternative and electronic music acts. Some of the big artists confirmed are Kasabian, Eddie Vedder, Massive Attack, Cat Power and Disclosure.
Price: One-day ticket: €48 (approximately £39); three-day ticket: €90 (approximately £72).
www.superbocksuperrock.net
Jazz em Agosto
1st – 10th August 2014, Lisbon
The 31st edition of ‘Jazz em Agosto’ returns with a ten-day concert programme that will see the best of “the other side of jazz” performed in the Portuguese capital. Guitarists such as James Blood Ulmer, Vernon Reid, Marc Ribot, Fred Frith, Marc Ducret and Keiji Haino, together with electric bassists Jamaaladeen Tacuma and Bill Laswell, are some of the major talent lined up this year.
Price: Tickets from €12 (approximately £10). Films and documentaries: admission free on a first-come-first-served basis.
Festival de Sintra
Until 11th July 2014, Sintra
Throughout the months of June and July, the town hosts a wide variety of classical music concerts, plus a range of smaller workshops, conferences and round-table discussions. The Portuguese Symphony Orchestra, Russian baritone Sergei Leiferkus, Portuguese soprano Elisabete Matos and Latvian violinist Ilya Grubert will all be performing. The 49th edition will pay tribute to acclaimed Portuguese pianist and composer, José Vianna da Motta.
Price: Tickets from €10 (approximately £8).
Musa Cascais
4th and 5th July 2014, Cascais
The big names from the international reggae scene will be heading to the coastal town of Cascais for the 16th edition of the Musa Cascais festival. Alpha Blondy, The Gladiators, Freddy Locks, Raging Fyah and Meta and The Cornerstones are just some of the artists who will be entertaining reggae fans from all over the world.
Price: One-day ticket: €15 (approximately £12); two-day ticket: €20 (approximately £16).
O Sol da Caparica
14th – 17th August 2014, Costa da Caparica (Almada)
The ‘O Sol da Caparica’ is a unique four-day musical extravaganza combining music, surf and animation, celebrating the best of Portuguese art. The line-up includes sets by DJ Branko, Dead Combo, Júlio Pereira and Rita Redshoes, and revellers can enjoy a cocktail or two on the beach or even go surfing as the sun sets over the festival.
Price: One-day ticket: €15 (approximately £12); four-day ticket: €35 (approximately £28).
www.osoldacaparica-festival.pt
For more information on Lisbon’s music scene please visit www.visitlisboa.com
