More festivals in May
MADA, in Natal, and Bananada, in Goiânia, intend to gather new bands from all over the country and attract attention to the local scenes
Silvio Essinger
11/05/2001
Festivals that gather new bands from different regions, in cities that are not Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo: that's a practice which, for the sake of alternative music in Brazil, starts spreading in the country. After Abril Pro Rock and Rec Beat (in Recife) and Porão do Rock (in Brasília), two other fests stand out, both in the third edition: MADA (Música Alimento da Alma, or Music Soul Food), happens in Natal between the 17th and 19th, and Bananada 2001 happens between the 18th and 20th in Goiânia.
Designed and produced by Jomardo Jomas, MADA bills little known acts, even for the underground scene. The stars are former Plebe Rude member Phillipe Seabra, the bands Sonic Junior , from Alagoas, and Flávio Cavalcanti, from Pernambuco. Most of the cast is from Rio Grande do Norte, the northeastern state where the fest takes place, such as the veteran General Junkie, Sangueblues, Mad Dogs, Brigite Beréu, Deadly Fate, Girassóis em Fuga and Embolafunk.
"There used to be a small rock scene in Natal (capital of Rio Grande do Norte), and we had to make it available to the public in general", says Jomardo, who used to work with reggae group Alphorria. "People were always asking me about the alternative music scene in Natal", he goes. MADA's first edition happened in 1998, and was attended by 18 thousand people along three days. In the next edition, in 1999, even the rain did not prevent 12 thousand people from showing up. "The festival attracted the public's attention because, more than anything, it is a big party", claims Jomardo. "During the first editions, people would come check the fest out, but they didn't really know what to expect. Now they know for sure that there will be bands that they are going to like."
An alternative to the axé massacre
The success achieved by Abril Pro Rock in 2001 was a reference to Jomardo. "Why not show our scene to the rest of the country, as it has been done in Recife?", he asks. The greatest advantage in this case, is to offer an alternative to the endless Carnival celebrations in the city. "The music from Bahia is too present around here, but now it is time for other styles to become visible."
Diversity is the key word at the Bananada 2001, in Goiânia. Besides 18 important names in the alternative Brazilian rock scene, such as Frank Jorge and the bands Pin Ups (São Paulo) and Supersoniques (Pernambuco), the bill features American bands Man or Astroman? and Trans AM. The first Bananada edition, in 1999, featured only eight acts in two days. Last year, 14 bands played the fest, also in two days. "We're growing...", celebrates Leonardo Razuk, who promotes the festival with Fabrício Nobre.
"Things must be done with blood, sweat and tears", he sums up. After two successful previews in April, Leonardo and Fabrício are expecting 500 attendees a night, who will check out acts like MQN, Mechanics and Vícios da Era. "One of our goals is to promote and establish the local bands, besides expanding the alternative scene in the city", Leonardo reveals.
Designed and produced by Jomardo Jomas, MADA bills little known acts, even for the underground scene. The stars are former Plebe Rude member Phillipe Seabra, the bands Sonic Junior , from Alagoas, and Flávio Cavalcanti, from Pernambuco. Most of the cast is from Rio Grande do Norte, the northeastern state where the fest takes place, such as the veteran General Junkie, Sangueblues, Mad Dogs, Brigite Beréu, Deadly Fate, Girassóis em Fuga and Embolafunk.
"There used to be a small rock scene in Natal (capital of Rio Grande do Norte), and we had to make it available to the public in general", says Jomardo, who used to work with reggae group Alphorria. "People were always asking me about the alternative music scene in Natal", he goes. MADA's first edition happened in 1998, and was attended by 18 thousand people along three days. In the next edition, in 1999, even the rain did not prevent 12 thousand people from showing up. "The festival attracted the public's attention because, more than anything, it is a big party", claims Jomardo. "During the first editions, people would come check the fest out, but they didn't really know what to expect. Now they know for sure that there will be bands that they are going to like."
An alternative to the axé massacre
The success achieved by Abril Pro Rock in 2001 was a reference to Jomardo. "Why not show our scene to the rest of the country, as it has been done in Recife?", he asks. The greatest advantage in this case, is to offer an alternative to the endless Carnival celebrations in the city. "The music from Bahia is too present around here, but now it is time for other styles to become visible."
Diversity is the key word at the Bananada 2001, in Goiânia. Besides 18 important names in the alternative Brazilian rock scene, such as Frank Jorge and the bands Pin Ups (São Paulo) and Supersoniques (Pernambuco), the bill features American bands Man or Astroman? and Trans AM. The first Bananada edition, in 1999, featured only eight acts in two days. Last year, 14 bands played the fest, also in two days. "We're growing...", celebrates Leonardo Razuk, who promotes the festival with Fabrício Nobre.
"Things must be done with blood, sweat and tears", he sums up. After two successful previews in April, Leonardo and Fabrício are expecting 500 attendees a night, who will check out acts like MQN, Mechanics and Vícios da Era. "One of our goals is to promote and establish the local bands, besides expanding the alternative scene in the city", Leonardo reveals.