Mondo Bizarre Magazine Concert Reviews, Concerts

SDH, Mouco, Porto, 04.05.2024.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Telma Mota

words: Paulo Carmona (freely translated by Raquel Pinheiro); photos: Telma Mota

It seemed everyone was already waiting to shake their hips to SDH frantic rhythm, since that happened from the start. The powerful loops and samples continuously blasting throughout the room that had enough space for improvised dancing. The Barcelona duo’s (Andrea Latorre e Sergi Algiz) synth pop a la discoteque, even if mixed with some industrial experimentism and a sparkle of dark wave is an invitation to dancing.

Andrea dances throughout with goth-dancer mannerisms and sensuality in her gestures. The very creative and pertiment always changing set design, mixed with the overhaul dark ambient and the frantic colourful lights did the rest. Very funny.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Telma Mota

They showered the submissive audience with an energetic and progressive set going around tracks like No Miracles, Tell Them, Balance e obviamente, and the always expected Hectic. I’m not going home. The warm up worked very well and I will go around city alleys looking for sige sound franticness. I think I know where to go.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Telma Mota

Mondo Bizarre Magazine Concert Reviews, Concerts

Lloyd Cole, Casa da Música, Porto, 28.04.2024.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Paulo Carmona

words: Paulo Carmona freely translated by Raquel Pinheiro); photos: Paulo Carmona

Lloyd Cole is one of those unique cases in which a man, a guitar and his voice manage to give an whole concert in which the audience does not fall into a dragged sleepleness apathy like. There are several factors for that: The first one is the voice to be in shape in the highs and lows and the knowledge of using breathing to achieve what is intended.

Another factor to have in consideration is the compentency is the playing of the electro-acoustic guitar. The rhythms, the freestyle, the intensity, the silences and the arpeggios. All very well played and pertinent to the flow of the songs. And the songs, of course.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Paulo Carmona

When a song is well written, well harmonized and has a poem that tailor suits it because it is felt, loved and conceived since it naturally; with guitar and voice, or orchestra it will always be a great song. That was what, once more, Lloyd Cole offered us. Always nice and afectous, supported by is British humour, including about mid concert pause, explaining it is mandatory for guys his age, he was an excellent entertainer from beginning to end.

The menu included more introspective songs such as Like Lovers Do, My Other Life, 2 CV, Today I’m Not So Sure, The Afterlife, The Idiot, Butterfly and more iconic and uplifted songs like Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken, Jennifer She Said, Brand New Friend, Perfect Skin and Undressed. On the much demanded and thanked encore Lost Weekend and Forest Fire were played.

On my way home, on the aftermath, I was thinking a cup of hot tea and sweet, sweet biscuits would be right the thing.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Paulo Carmona
Mondo Bizarre Magazine Concert Reviews, Concerts

Kristin Hersh, Auditório Francisco de Assis, Porto, 21.04.2024.

words: Neno Costa (freely translated by Raquel Pinheiro); photos: Telma Mota

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Telma Mota

The tracery of Sparky (Hips and Makers, 1994) filled the wideness of the stage until Kristin Hersh’s voice filled the room with Eyeshine (Clear Pound Road, 2023) casting out ghosts that seemed to threaten Throwing Muses’muse at every turn.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Telma Mota


Lady of lyrics tinted by experience and personal conflicts, braided with a pop folk sound under a harsh vocal sky Kristin Hersh and her acoustic guitar run through thirty years of career, including her time with Throwing Muses, in an intimate, mature, flowing performance in choices such as Your Ghost (Hips and Makers, 1994), Kay Catherine (Throwing Muses, 2020), Your Dirty Answer (Sonny Border Blue, 2001) or Ms Haha from her latest album.


It would have been wonderful to prolong this golden moment of the musical calendary, electrically wrapped with The Cuckoo (Hips and Makers, 1994) and English folk song open to interpretations, cladled as a goodbye.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Telma Mota

Mondo Bizarre Magazine Concert Reviews, Concerts

Hohen Ford | Patrick Watson, Hard Club, Porto, 15.04.2024.

Hohnen Ford © Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Marcos Leal

words: Marcos Leal (freely translated by Raquel Pinheiro); photos Marcos Leal

On a Monday evening the line of people to Hard Club was visible before opening time. It took some time for British singer-songwriter Hohnen Ford, the opening act to be on stage. Quickly, with a smiley face, starting to play the piano and singing beautifully. Of note a cover of Radiohead’s No Surprises and the live debut of a new song, Honest Mistake. Going by the delight many were listening to her on the front rows, she gathered new fans.

Patrick Watson turn, playing Lost With You under mild, intimate light, that progressed towards the other musicians, surprisingly encorporating the lyrics of Radiohead’s CreepIt was a concert of great complicity and intimacy that captivated the audience. As much on a scenic as well as musical level it was a concert of great beauty and sensibility with songs that tools to intimate, but also mundane places. Between sings there were stories about those songs in themselves, and some joyous moments. Such as in Lisboa Mermaid in Lisbon was sung by Gisela João (on record the voice belongs to Teresa Salgueiro), displaying good stage chemistry. In a kind of encore Hohnen Ford returned, and once more enchanted the audience singing an acoustic song along Patrick Watson.

Patrick Watson & Gisela João © Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Marcos Leal

The concert ending was surprising. Patrick Watson came down to the middle of the audience with a megaphone accompanied by his bassist/guitarist carrying on his shoulders some sort of lights structure, both slowly playing and singing towards the room exit.

Patrick Watson © Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Marcos Leal

Mondo Bizarre Magazine Concert Reviews, Concerts

Sereias | Sleaford Mods, Casa da Música, 13.04.2024.

Sereias © Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Daniela Tedim

words: Paulo Carmona (freely translated by Raquel Pinheiro); photos: Daniela Tendim

Sereias opened the evening with their frantic, vocally agressive rock. Abundantly shouted in despair, among foul language, demands and political and social criticism. They’re very solid and original instrumentalists in the way they mix styles and impose tempos. But always very together. An interesting band, no doubt.

Sleaford Mods © Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Daniela Tedim

I could say punk bastards are back or that the good old fashioned rebels would have returned in na electro punk rap and spoken word version, but I will not do it, even because I just did it. I’ll center myself in what is worthy about British duo Sleaford Mods. Obviously punk’s stigma is present on the fast intense vocalizations of the sarcastic speech, at times comical, and electronic samples minimalism everyone. But, in reality, do Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn Bing us or intend to put across?

To me, it seems they have a lot to say and to uncover not only Great Britain concerning, but regarding the world at large in its hypocrisy and aggressive capitalist economy. Sleaford Mods music is to be danced to, felt, grooved. It is also to be reflected upon and internalised. Although the communication channel is minimalist electronic music, their message is anything but minimalistic. In line with social and political criticism “in your face” bands like The Clash, Public Enemy, Rage Against, this duo shots towards their chosen targets with genuine haughtiness.

Sleaford Mods © Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Daniela Tedim

The concert at Casa da Música justified all that. Jason’s voice on his East Midlands Accent among psychedelic strobe lights, vociferações that resembled seagulls overing above any coastal town, his balancing water bottles on his head artist posture like a cocky rooster trying to moonwalk and footloose, tracks like TCR, BHS, and the cover of Pet Shop Boys’ West End Girls keep coming out entertaining the hordes attendees and Sleaford Mods fans.Oh Captain! My Captain! They follow us everywhere and I go west.

Sleaford Mods © Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Daniela Tedim
Mondo Bizarre Magazine Concerts

BDRMM, Mouco, Porto, 06.04.2024.

words: Marcos Leal (freely translated by Raquel Pinheiro); photos: Marcos Leal.

Hull band Bdrmm awaited first concert in Porto finally happened. Bdrmm came to download their electric showgaze mantle upon an audience split between a sound delight and happy talk.It was remarkable the way the band was applauded and cherished by the audience, leaving the quarter rather pleased, and, in a way, apparently surprised with such reaction, multiplying thanks you at each song. For about one and a half hour Bdrmm downloaded a stream of songs that satisfied the wishes of their fans, starting with Alps, carrying on with Be Careful.

Then, melodically loud with songs like Gush, Push/Pull, Happy, one of their greatest hits, here almost unrecognisable among a deluge of distortion, until, at, last, arriving at a good Port, um thrilling cheering by from the audience and thanks by Bdrmm.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Marcos Leal
Mondo Bizarre Magazine Concerts

Pop Dell’Arte, Hard Club, Porto, 29.03.2024.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Hiliana Melo

words: Paulo Carmona (freely translated by Raquel Pinheiro); photos Hiliana Melo

On stage, more than showbiz, more than show off, give rock’n’roll truth. As it is in its essence. Unpretentious and genuine. That is what Pop Dell’Arte is. That is it, and it is very good.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Hiliana Melo

Sonorously speaking it is complex in construction, structure, form. Bass, drums and guitar played by Zé Pedro Moura, Ricardo Martins and Paulo Monteiro are extremely competent performing the songs as well as on their own, leaving an impression with the daring passion the music flows to our senses. João Peste’s voice is what we were used to over decades. Intense and very charismatic. At times powerful and resounding, at times sarcastic, dragged, and insolent filled of an apparent juvenile innocence. Take note, apparent! Maybe that is why he and his companions can make Pop Dell’Arte’s music seem so fresh. Each concert is a celebration. An hymn to the band’s aesthetic conscience and its survival along its life spam.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Eliana Melo

This concert didn’t deviate from it, and that is good. It started with Star Wars and Em Creta, through Avanti Marinaio, Planet Lakroon, Panoptical Architecture for Empty Streets in a Silent City, Wil’n’Chic, Be Bop and Sonhos Pop, and, towards the end Freaky Dance and My Funny Ana Lana. A great celebration, no doubt.Is it me or this more thrilling, frantic, alternative as well as pop side of rock as its strongest expression in a time references were few, but, indisputably, remarkable.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Hiliana Melo
Mondo Bizarre Magazine Concerts, Reviews

The Legendary Tigerman, Hard Club, Porto, 23.03.2024.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Daniela Tedim

words: Paulo Carmona (freely translated by Raquel Pinheiro); photos: Daniela Tedim

One thing is certain – Something new will happen. The Man is in constant innovation.
Is that cool? … It is. In this particular instance it is. There is a coherence in the manner and presentation in synchrony with the idyosincrasies of mi artist-performer. It is in aesthetics and the imaginary that Paulo Furtado’s art of music takes a different short cut, but the vanishing point between rock’n’roll evens goes away and returns to him. A dynamic present on Zeitgeist – the new album played at this concert.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Daniela Tedim

The rebelious gentleman presented a well structured setlist, starting with Everyone, One More Time, Good girl and Naked Blues, wandering between the before and the now in a frenzy of contagious emotions that seethed throughout the room with shades of insolent eroticism that insists on watering our garden on a pouring rainy day. Motorcycle Boy was also played, and, towards, the end Fix of Rock’n’roll.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Daniela Tedim

Very well accompanied on stage by Filipe Rocha (bass), Cabrita (sax), Mike Ghost (drums) and Sara Badalo (vocals) who, with her remarkable and sensual voice has a highlighted role on Zeitgeist.
The show never stops because there is no time to waste. We’re on the last round and hips haven’t stop moving at the rhythm of such incendiary rock’n’roll. Guests Ray and Best Youth join the party adding colour to the scenery.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Daniela Tedim

Already among the audience Paulo Furtado punchily asks what is supreme glory. Until someone gets the right answer: Love! He ends up upon the back bar. No one wants a K.O. We all want a mutually agreed and quite sweaty satisfaction.
I maintain this Legendary Tigerman is our most genuine case of pure, raw, é o nosso caso mais genuíno de rock’n’roll, even on the latest record in which keyboards and samplers a la carte are enequivally present. With the bar raised quite high, in my view, he remains a rock’n’roll guru. Legendary, no doubt.
Vive le Rock!

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Daniela Tedim
Mondo Bizarre Magazine Concert Reviews, Concerts

F.M. Einheit – Associação de Moradores da Bouça, Porto, 15.03.2024.

The Club Meets the Drill

© Renato Cruz Santos/Cultura em Expansão

words: Raquel Pinheiro; photos: Renato Cruz Santos/Cultura em Expansão We are at one of those places most would not associate with industrial music, Associação de Moradores da Bouça, a local residents society, founded in 1975. Through Porto’s City Hall programme Cultura em Expansão, Associação de Moradores da Bouça has been helding events, like diferent sorts of concerts, including more fringe ones.

© Renato Cruz Santos/Cultura em Expansão

There are too many of us gathered in the patio outside the concert room. Which goes to show that fringes can be relative. F.M. Einheit became known to if not all, most of us in attendance, when he was part of Einstürzende Neubauten, that he left in 1995.

The planned seated concert is turned into a stand up one in order for everyone to be able to attend. That changes things a little or the audience. In chairs, we would easily be able to see the images of the projections that accompanied F.M. Einheit’s demolitions, cracking, pouring of materials, playing a gigantic spring with a drill.

© Renato Cruz Santos/Cultura em Expansão

The video projections come with background sounds and beats. A mix of clubbing grooves, voices, mechanical, machinery noises. From where I stand for most of the concert, by the door and the mixing desk, it is not easy to see the images or, other than the playing of spring & drill, what is F.M.’s up to. I can hear sounds and see a glimpse of what looks like a workbench with a few things upon it. Wood plaques? Bricks? And what is FM pouring from a big bucket? Gravel? Whatever it is, it makes for an harrowing sound.

© Renato Cruz Santos/Cultura em Expansão

The evening will keep being filled with contrasts, dissonances, resonances, peculiar noises. And thee drill!

Mondo Bizarre Magazine Concerts, Reviews

Wolf Manhattan, Mouco, Porto, 24.02.2024.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Paulo Carmona

words: Paulo Carmona (freely translated by Raquel Pinheiro); photos: Paulo Carmona

A contagious happiness, as if was thick fog, immediately came upon the audience. Wolf Manhattan’s cheerful music collides with the time period of its creation – during the pandemic – which leads to believe (I may be wrong) it was a very effective way that João Viera, such an alternative pop music chameleon, found to buffer that distressing period. Among the chaos, an artist soul emerges as one of the best medicines for humanity.

We were given an amusing, intelligent performance, created by sound and improvised theatre. There were rabbits, ghosts and aligattors with raving multiple signs in which shaking your butt dancing, grotesque and fantasy go hand in hand with the rocking of an hypnotic merry-go-round.

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Paulo Carmona

As for Wolf Manhattan’s songs, that join juicy electronic pop, alternative indie-pop-rock with a certain beat, Back to Her, Wanna go Back, Voices in My head and, of course, Sometimes attended the celebration. I would have far more to say,but prefer to tie with João Vieira’s own words to us “I want much more than a concert. A performance, a story, an imaginar, an universe, something different than just a music show.”,grounded, according João, in his be all – David Bowie. And he pulled it off. David Bowie??? – What else!

© Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Paulo Carmona