Month: September 2024

words, photos & videos: Raquel Pinheiro

Walking blind into concerts is something I enjoy a lot. I was neither familiar with Winten or Maple Glider songs. My reason to go to their respective concerts at Socorro was to meet a old friend I hadn’t seen in over a decade.

I was pleasantly surprised with Winten and Maple Glider gentle songs and music. Winten more inclined towards heartbreak and love sceneries and scenario in a frail, tone; Maple Glider, although not dissimilar, has a more sober and mature tone.

Piquenique Dançante Sobre a Relva (Dancing Picnic on the Lawn) is an event held yearly at a park or garden in Porto. This year it was near by me at the wonderful Parque de São Roque on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September.

I only attended on Sunday. It was the first time I went to Parque de São Roque dressed up. And it was joyous and fun. Lots of people on the lawn and labyrinth area, seated on blankets, kids running and playing around – the monitors turned to the audience provided a great racing and dancing track for children that were freely allowed to run upon them. Since I also stood on them during Wolf Manhattan, I can attest it’s great fun.

It was great to see friends, acquaintances, so many new faces and watch friends playing.

West 11 share Phil King (guitar) and Mark Kingston (bass with) Population 5 and have Beth Hirsch on vocals. They are, or were in this instance, a serene band. Heavily contrasting with the raucous, electric in every sense, groovy surfy Population 5. Children played a part again when a very young guitarist with his toy guitar took to the stage having Phil and Fernando Barbedo (Population 5’s other guitarist) as his wing men.

Wolf Manhattan are João Viera’s latest incantation. The sad, happy story of a singer-songwriter, lonely in his bedroom that takes his show on the road, accompanied with several eye catching guitars, hair colour and clothes. Cool songs, entertaining atmosphere.

Between bands André Rio played cover on a small stage on the middle of the lawn’s fountain, leading to a sing-a-long.

I didn’t stay to see Irmãos Catita. Home and my guitar were calling.