The Other Side of Fado
Most well-heeled travelers headed to Lisbon will have heard about our brand of local folk music called Fado, meaning "Fate".
Formally recognized in the 19th century and UNESCO-protected as “Intangible Heritage” today, the music is filled with melancholy and deep emotional longing, and evokes the multicultural influences that have shaped contemporary Portuguese culture over the centuries. Its roots are in the islands of West Africa, carrying melodies influenced by Arabo-Hispanic troubadours with a residue of Ladino influences from Sephardic communities.
In recent decades, scores of music lovers have been seduced by Fadistas like Amália Rodrigues, known as the "Rainha do Fado" (Queen of Fado), who cemented her position in the international World Music circuits until her passing in 1999. Today, performers like Mariza are packing theaters around the world, seduced by her reinvented Fado, while Cristina Branco and Ana Moura represent a new generation of talented Fado interpreters.
Catching a Fado show in Lisbon is an essential cultural excursion that everyone should make at least once. However, much like a Flamenco show in Spain, there are more than a fair share of tourist traps to avoid with over-priced, mediocre dinners and equally inferior musicians. Knowing exactly where to catch a really good Fado concert is a matter of knowing who is playing where, and what places can serve up a decent traditional Portuguese dinner at a reasonable price. This is best accomplished by asking a local who is enthusiastic about Fado, who can direct you to a place that hotel concierges or a guidebook won’t usually mention.
If getting high on feeling low with depressing folk music is not your thing, or if you just want to steep yourself deeper into modern Portuguese culture, then the culturally curious will be happily rewarded discovering some of our more contemporary musicians, from rock to indie-style alternative and Jazz, there is a lot for music lovers. And, true to Portuguese form, the promotion of these bands, like our wine, beaches, and cuisine, rarely receives the attention they deserve outside of Portugal, but for those who are brave enough to make the leap, the music of Portugal will more than satisfy.
Emblematic of this is Deolinda, a quartet band founded in 2006 when brothers Pedro da Silva Martins and Luis José Martins (formerly of the band 7-Headed Beast) invited their cousin, Ana Bacalhau, to sing with them. Ana’s vocal styling brings all the syrup and tenor of a traditional Portuguese Fadista, but she and the band will surprise you with upbeat and catchy melodies, full of irony and humor without the black dress-formality of Fado. Their 2013 hit "Seja Agora" is a good example.
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| Lisbon's rock scene is on the move. |
Madredeus is more of a musical ensemble, making music that combines traditional Portuguese elements. They came onto the world music scene in the late 1980’s, and through breakups and reformations, the band still makes meaningful, hauntingly harmonic and rhythmic tunes.
For those who like their folk music a little more grungy and understated, Dead Combo is a duo dressed as a caretaker and a gangster who mix fado with spaghetti-western-inspired music you might imagine in a Quentin Tarantino film. You just have to listen to appreciate, because words can’t do justice.
The next time you are surfing iTunes or in Lisbon, give them a listen and take your time talking to locals about where they go for Fado.
Here are five of the most celebrated independent Portuguese bands active today:
1. Capitão Fausto Genre: Indie pop / rock
The undisputed leaders of the Portuguese indie scene, Capitão Fausto, have been paving the way for artists who came after them since their 2011 debut, Gazela. Over more than a decade, they've built a trademark sound around retro keys and lead singer Tomás Wallenstein's bright, melodic voice, ranging from brisk piano-based numbers to slower love ballads gilded with violin and trumpet. Their 2024 album, Subida Infinita, marks a new chapter as the band transitions from a quintet to a quartet.
2. The Gift Genre: Art pop / indie electronic
An art-pop and electronic band known for their atmospheric production and collaborations with international producers. One of Portugal's most internationally visible acts, fronted by singer Sónia Tavares, they've released music in both Portuguese and English and have performed across Europe for over two decades. Think dream-pop with cinematic production.
3. Deolinda Genre: Folk pop / neo-fado
A modern Portuguese group whose style is heavily inspired by fado and other traditional genres, Deolinda has received numerous awards, including multiple Globos de Ouro and the Amália Rodrigues Prize, and has been featured in publications worldwide, including the Sunday Times and the Miami Herald. Their wit and conversational lyrics make them a unique bridge between tradition and contemporary indie folk.
4. Ganso Genre: Portuguese indie rock / pop
What started as a group of childhood friends experimenting together became a distinctive sound, with lead singer João Sala's vibrant, slightly raspy voice standing out. Thanks to TikTok, their 2022 single "Sorte a Minha" went viral, bringing them a major wave of new fans. They are now one of the fastest-rising names in the Portuguese indie scene, released on the respected indie label Cuca Monga.
5. Linda Martini Genre: Post-punk / alternative rock
A post-punk and alternative rock band with powerful guitar work and a strong live reputation. One of the most critically respected bands in Portugal, they are known for their raw, intense performances and have built a devoted following over more than fifteen years. Their sound is darker and harder than that of most of their peers — think angular guitars, driving rhythms, and a brooding atmosphere.
