By Doug Gray, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – In the wake of last month’s Rock in Rio, the city’s music fans could be forgiven for wanting to take things a little easy in October. Fortunately, a debut show by one of the hottest bands to emerge from the UK in recent years, along with some true titans of stadium rock at Apoteose, should be more than enough to get the Carioca music-loving masses mobilized once more.
Gig of the month: The xx.
In 2010, The xx’s self-titled debut album won the hotly contested Mercury Music Prize. More recently, and after some awkwardly self-conscious early outings, the London three-piece has well and truly come out of its shell in the live arena, just in time for their adoring Rio fans to get a first glimpse of what all the hype has been about at Vivo Rio on October 24th (R$300-R$600).
The 2011 follow-up album, “Co-Exist” wasn’t the huge statement of intent that many had anticipated, but still went straight to number one in the U.S. and the UK. The band have yet to put a foot wrong, be it with well-received DJ mix CDs, collaborations with legends like Gil Scott-Heron, or remixing some of the biggest bands around. Undoubtedly the hottest ticket in town this month.
On Friday October 4th, The B52s bring their timeless energy to Vivo Rio (R$175). The U.S. band behind the irrepressible singles “Love Shack” and “Rock Lobster” have always occupied an intriguing musical space somewhere between post-punk and straight-up pop sensibilities. They may have only released one album in the last twenty years, but the classics will be out in force.
The following night, Brazilian star Marissa Monte will have the chance to dazzle the Vivo Rio Crowd (R$110-R$310). One of Rio’s favorite musical daughters, Monte is embarking on a five-date mini-residency at the venue this month. The classically trained MPB diva was brought up on a diet of samba and Carnival, and her diverse inspirations seep into her music.
Former Hüsker Dü and Sugar frontman Bob Mould has been in and out of the rock limelight for nearly 35 years. Luckily for his legion of fans he returned to the spotlight in 2012 with the release of latest album “Silver Age”, but he has more than enough firepower in his back catalogue to keep the Circo Voador crowd pogoing all night on Sunday, October 6th (R$160).
Anitta,the latest princess of Brazilian pop, caused a roadblock last month with her appearance at Barra Music, resulting in a three-night stint at the cavernous Citibank Hall from October 11th-13th (R$100-R$200). Seize the chance to see what all the fuss is about with three of the young funkeira’s biggest shows yet and expect chaos when she plays this year’s hit single “Show das Poderosas”.
Black Sabbath
Ozzie Osborne and his band of rockers from Birmingham, England, lurched onto the stage at the end of the 1960s. Since then, Black Sabbath have gone on to sell 70 million records worldwide and earlier this year released their first record in over a decade, “13”. The show at Praça da Apoteose on Sunday October 13th (R$300-R$600) promises more fireworks as Ozzy looks to prove he’s still got it.
The Australian art-rock outfit headed by Kevin Parker, Tame Impala went global with the release of last year’s smash hit album “Lonerism”. Practically regulars these days in the Cidade Maravilhosa, expect them to raise the (canopy) roof at Circo Voador on October 17th (R$180) when the opening chords of “Elephant” are played.
Steve Tyler’s Aerosmith are used to playing some of the world’s biggest stadiums, and one of the few venues in Rio that could hold such a band is, fittingly, also the home of Carnival; Praça Apoteose. Expect the highest production values and three decades of hits from the showman on October 18th (R$270), from “Love in an Elevator” to “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”.