What do David Byrne, Devendra Banhart and M.I.A all have in common?

Q: What do David Byrne, Devendra Banhart and M.I.A all have in common? A: They’ve all been inspired by modern Brazilian music. The fascinating film Beyond Ipanema – Brazilian Waves In Global Music looks at how the cross-pollination of musical styles - as well as sampling and globalisation - have helped Brazil to secure a unique position in global music culture, [...]

The differences of life in Rio and London – through the eyes of two rappers.

What happens when two wordsmiths from different corners of the earth get together and collaborate over Shakespeare… with some of London’s young people… and a live band? That’s what we’re about to find out at Southbank Centre tomorrow evening. On Saturday 7 August MOBO award-winning Akala gets together with Rio’s most popular rapper/spoken word poet [...]

Who said ‘I am Brazil’?

Singer, composer, politician – Gilberto Gil is one of Brazil’s most inspiring icons. On the eve of his performance at Royal Festival Hall tomorrow (Wednesday 21 July), Paul Heritage explains what is it is that makes him so unique. “When Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced in 2003 that Gilberto Gil had accepted [...]

Kurt Cobain’s dream comes true at Southbank Centre

Back in 1993 when Nirvana toured Brazil, Kurt Cobain called for the reunion of 1960s Brazilian Tropicália band Os Mutantes. After trying unsuccessfully to meet with bassist and singer Arnaldo Baptista, Cobain wrote to him, reportedly saying ‘Arnaldo, best wishes to you, and be careful with the system. They swallow you up and spit you [...]

What do Beck, Kurt Cobain and Brazil have in common?

Answer: Os Mutantes! For Beck, the discovery of the 1960s Brazilian band Os Mutantes was ‘one of those revelatory moments you live for as a musician, when you find something that you have been wanting to hear for years but never thought existed. I made records like Odelay because there was a certain sound and sensibility [...]

Coming soon, a slice of Brazil on the southbank

Bringing the vibrant, dynamic culture of contemporary Brazil to the heart of London, Festival Brazil at Southbank Centre will celebrate the country’s rich cultural heritage – including music, visual arts, dance, literature, debates and food. Performers will include cultural icon Maria Bethânia, superstar singer song-writer Gilberto Gil, the legendary psychedelic rock band Os Mutantes and [...]

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