Some of the best music cities in the world are those that are defined as much by their cultural heritage as they’re their darker histories. Lisbon is one of those cities.
The Portuguese capital of just over half a million people is an eclectic blend of the Americas, Africa and Europe. As the ten year old club music label Enchufada writes on its history, ‘Meet The Thriving Lusophone Global Club Music Scene’, “this is the place we call home, a financially failed yet culturally rich place, with a lousy marketing plan and so much content and stories to tell”.
While the label demonstrates a lot about the positive state of the city’s electronic music scene it has lived through a difficult time in the history of Portugal. Namely an economic crises where the richest 20% makes six times as much as the poorest 20%, where there is no active Ministry of Culture, with few enough labels, venues and distributors or even a music program in public schools.
Yet still there are brilliant music makers residing in Lisbon despite the city’s less than ideal cultural aspects.
As Enchufada (you can read more about them below) concludes, “the list of artists, musicians, DJs and producers who contribute to the vitality of the scene is growing every day”.
In the article we’ve referenced and linked to above you’ll find a great source of local acts that evidences the best of Lisbon and Portugal’s music scene.
Another facet of Lisbon’s music scene, which is comparatively healthy to the above list of problem the city faces, is the fact that the city is home to a great amount of quality record stores.
Love The Beatles?
Get the latest The Beatles news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
While we’ve listed three of the best below there are several more that vinyl hunters are encouraged to check out. Lisbon Record Shops is a great resource that travellers should check out before heading to the Portuguese capital.
This city might be missing a few of the key elements that normally would contribute to a healthy music scene’s growth, however Lisbon does remarkably well without them.
We can just imagine that we’ll have to more than double our list below of the ten best things worth checking out in the metropolis’ music scene as it improves in the future.
Get Along To One Of The Country’s Best Festivals In Optimus Alive
Since 2007 this festival has quickly taken the crown of Portugal’s biggest music event. They did swiftly and with the help of Pearl Jam, The Smashing Pumpkins and Beastie Boys in their inaugural year. The organisers have retained this status with not one poor set of headliners being booked ever since. The festival takes place every July over three days, allows camping and has booked Arctic Monkeys, The Black Keys, Interpol, Imagine Dragons and Foster The People as headliners in 2014.
Hit Up Pretérito Perfeito For One Of The City’s Best Vinyl Stores
Rua Sampaio Bruno, 39 – 2º (Campo de Ourique)
In English this store’s name translates to past perfect and this establishment does a pretty darn good job at living up to its name. Fans of folk, progressive and psychedelic rock are more than likely to agree. Its locale isn’t the easiest to find with the exterior an ambiguous and ordinary building. While a large selection of CDs can be found here, new and used vinyl along with rare classics and reissues are some of the highlights of this record store.
Listen To The Club Tunes of Lisbon-Based Label, Enchufada and See Their Acts Live
As we mentioned above Lisbon has a burgeoning club music scene that this record label is partly responsible for. It turned 10 in 2014 and since its inception it has run under the aim of introducing the world to dance music that has “ethnic and flavour” running through its veins. They call it Lusophone electronic music and Enchufada releases the best work of up and coming Portuguese producers. Delve into their Soundcloud via the link above if you want your expectations of electronic music shattered and then go check out a local show.
Witness Alternative Lisbon at Lounge
Rua da Moeda 1, Cais do Sodre
While the lax smoking policy and this venue’s more intimate-than-most size doesn’t combine for the freshest air the live music that you’ll witness here is up with the best in Lisbon. If you like a bit of hip-to-hip action than you’ll love Lounge. It fills quickly with its bohemian vibes attracting the city’s alternative crowd and some quality local and international acts and DJs.
Let Go Of Your Cash For Vinyl at Louie Louie
Escadinhas of Sto. Spirit of Quarry 100a
While the origins of this store began in Porto, when this store extended its reach to Lisbon it rose up to become one of the city’s most popular record stores. Located in downtown Lisbon you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting here and the wide variety of vinyl, CDs and DVDs ensure that you probably won’t be leaving empty handed.
Catch Punk Act, The Vicious Five, Live in Their Hometown
While this band disbanded in 2009 announcing their split via an open letter this punk rock act are reforming once more for another send off gig at Optimus Alive in 2014 because they realised they missed “doing something simple”. You can hear their first new song in five years below. With any luck they’ll extend their two album discography and stay together for a little while longer.
See How Paradise Garage Is The City’s Utopian Alternative Rock Venue
Rua Joao de Oliveira Miguens 38-48
Heralded as the premier music venue in Lisbon you really don’t have to go past the name to figure out what music you’ll hear at this establishment. Yep, you guessed it, the bands that play here are centred around garage and other rock genres. However the venue, which shares its name with the influential New York venue that operated from 1976 to 1987, also hosts conferences, festivals, presentations and workshops.
Experience Open-Air Concerts In The Gulbenkian Museum Gardens
Avenida Berna 45 A
While we’d recommend fans of museums head to this spot as soon as they hit Lisbon, the gardens of Gulbenkian are also of importance to music fans as well. Not just because they’re beautiful, but because in the summer its amphitheatre hosts some spectacular outdoor concerts that you won’t experience anywhere else in this city.
Catch Local Acts at Zé dos Bois
Rua da Barroca 59
Think you’re ahead of the experimental curb? Want to be challenged by the arts? This venue is for those who perform on a wave length that differs from the ordinary. You’ll find weird and wonderful displays of theatre, film, visual arts and live music. The graffitied courtyard is unmistakable. Black Dice and Animal Collective have played here in the past.
Stock Up On Second-Hand Vinyl Goods at Discolecção
Calçada do Duque 53
They may not have a website and the store may be a little rough around the edges but these qualms matter little for the vinyl diggers who frequent here. Known around town as the best used vinyl store, Beatles rarities, Asian prog-rock LPs and free jazz classics can all be found here.
Experience Traditional Fado In Chiado
Espaço Chiado, Rua da Miséricordia 14
While experiencing the music scene of the present is what you’re undeniably in Lisbon to do that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a step back and take in the traditional delights of Fado, the music genre that originated back in the 1800s. At this small theatre you’ll find the best displays of Fado this side of town via a 50 minute show which features a male and female singer and two guitarists.
