The five members who currently make up the band from Porto were greeted with applause, screams and bodies moving frantically, ready to dance to the first note of the music. João Grande, lead singer and leader of the group, matched the same energy, jumping and running from the beginning of the performance to the end. Also because of this energetic presence, one can think of the possibility of being teleported back in time, as we do not notice any fading of the band’s power over the years.
The opening concert of the second and final night of Rock à Moda do Porto began with the theme “Cairo,” which was released in 1982, but is still on the tip of the tongue of a large portion of the Super Bock Arena. The collective chorus was constant throughout more than an hour of the concert. Songs like “Sozinho” or “No Fio da Navalha” were sung by the audience with the mastery of someone who still has everything fresh in his memory.
Even in the new song – the latest released by Taxi – loyal spectators of that moment dedicated themselves to learning the lyrics. In the end, “Never mais”, still unknown to the overwhelming majority of attendees at Rock à Moda do Porto, was sung perfectly. It didn’t even need instrumental accompaniment or a singer. This feat was a success for the band, which at that exact moment had prepared to release the confetti. If this had been the crowd on Friday night, the celebration would have fallen on deaf ears.
This Saturday will also see performances by Mau Muerta and both Braga, repeating the event and this year featuring a special guest, Capicua.
Salman Rushdie is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, politics, literature, and international affairs. He focuses on delivering clear, informative reporting that helps readers understand the people, events, and trends influencing today’s world.
