By George Utley, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Sunday May 18th sees the return of the fifth annual Dia da Rua in Rio and the afternoon promises an eclectic mix of free live music acts, spreading out along the beach from Leblon to Arpoador. Seven stages in total will be erected along the beachfront, with acts scheduled to start at twenty minute intervals throughout the afternoon.
The event kicks off at 3PM at Posto 12 in Leblon with Castello Branco bringing his laid-back, twangy guitar vibes to the stage and promising some special guest backing vocalists. After this introduction, proceed to Bartolo Mitre for Opala‘s funky blend of synth-pop at 3:20 PM.
Something altogether more urban awaits listeners at Jardim de Alah, as the Zona Norte (North Zone) rapper of the moment MC Sant takes to the stage. Fans of Brazilian rap will not be disappointed by the intricate lyrics and heavy metal backing on his new album, “É o Rap”.
At 4PM head to the stage at Coqueirão (the big coconut tree near Posto 9), where Baleia will be playing their eerily atmospheric brand of synth-pop. Minimalist beats and beautiful vocals are guaranteed from this well-loved Carioca duo.
At 4:20 PM the pace of the parade slows a little, as one of Rio´s best-loved and most influential musicians takes to the microphone at Rua Farme de Amoedo. Silvia Machete started life as a circus street performer, and her theatrical background is ever-present in her jaunty, up-beat performances, explaining why she won APCA’s award for Best Show in 2010.
Following Silvia Machete at 5PM, Alice Caymmi, the headline act of last year’s Dia Da Rua, guarantees a romantic soundtrack to the Ipanema sunset at Post 8. She is one of Rio’s up-and-coming singer-songwriter superstars and one of her most popular tracks is “Arco da Aliança.”
Once the sun goes down, the beats pick up, as legendary heavy baile producer Leo Justi takes to the decks for the final performance of this year’s Dia da Rua, onstage at Arpoador. Anyone who has been to one of Vidigal’s legendary favela parties will have heard the singles Sniper Queen and Gaitero.
The Rio born Justi crafts his own unique sound by weaving together funk carioca, a musical genre born in Rio’s favelas, with the international sounds of club music into a style he calls “heavy baile.”
“Heavy baile is, I’d say, a club music style that takes baile funk and makes it more sophisticated, less raw, but maintaining its grit,” Justi told The Rio Times last year. “It takes elements from house and electro but the rhythm essence is always bouncy, African and it doesn’t get too straight. It’s not so repetitive as most club genres. It changes patterns faster.”
The event was delayed last year due to bad weather, but fortunately the weather forecast for this Sunday is all sun. For more information on set times and locations, visit the official Dia da Rua pages here, and also fans can hear artists playing at Dia da Rua on Radio Farm.
What: Dia da Rua 2014
Who: Castello Branco, OPALA, MC Sant, Baleia, Silvia Machete, Alice Caymmi, Leo Justi.
Where: Beginning at Posto 12, Praia do Leblon, with Castello Branco, and ending at Arpoador, in front of Pedra do Arpoador, with Leo Justi
When: Sunday, May 18th. First act begins at 3PM, and last act at 6PM.
Entrance: FREE