Brazil’s Samba Legends Announced to Play at Rock in Rio

By Ciara Long, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Already bringing together some of the leading acts in international pop and rock, plus some of Brazil’s most popular musicians, Rock in Rio continues to add big names to its bill this year.

On the festival’s first night this year, September 15th, the Sunset Stage will unite several of Brazil’s most famous samba musicians.

The show, titled ‘Salve o Samba!’ (‘Save the Samba!’) will bring together Monarco, Martinho da Vila, Jorge Aragão, Alcione, Roberta Sá and Mart’nália. Also performing with them will be Criolo, who, although principally a rapper, uses samba influences within his music.

The show, which is a unique combination of the musicians, will close the first night on the sunset stage. Dance group Jongo da Serrinha will also perform, bringing jongo – considered one of the predecessors of samba music and dance – to the festival.

“This show comes from the meetings that Rock in Rio began in 1985, when it brought to the crowd big shows with very varied styles, from Queen to Ivan Lins, Ney Matogrosso and Elba Ramalho,” said the show’s director Zé Roberto. “Samba, the rhythm in the DNA of Brazilians and in national music, couldn’t be left out.”

Of the acts performing, Monarco may be the longest-running, having begun with samba school Portela in the 1950s. Martinho da Vila is also a world-renowned name in samba, with songs such as ‘Casa de Bamba’, while Alcione’s 45 year-long career has seen her headline stages in more than 30 countries.

Mart’nália and Roberta Sá are newer names in samba, beginning their careers in the early 2000s, but have received acclaim and praise from artists including Caetano Veloso and Chico Buarque.

Diverse interpretations and influences, too, will permeate the show: Jorge Aragão began in MBP, but has always included influences from samba and has explored the genre more and more with the progression of his career. Meanwhile, Criolo’s works have ranged from MBP and samba to rap, and everything in between.

‘Salve of Samba!’ will also present images and videos of rehearsals of artists leaving their stamp on the genre, specifically looking at samba performances at Rock in Rio.

The show will join Dream Team do Passinho, Céu and Boogarins on the Sunset Stage on the first night of the music festival, September 15th 2017. Lady Gaga, Pet Shop Boys, Ivete Sangalo and 5 Seconds of Summer will play on the same night on the World Stage, while the Rock Street stage line-up for September 15th includes Freddy Massamba and Les Tambours de Brazza.

Other big names playing this year include Justin Timberlake, Charles Bradley, Nile Rogers and Chic, Alice Cooper, Ney Matogrosso, Ceelo Green, Maroon 5, Alicia Keys, The Who and Bon Jovi.

The full line-up is available via Rock in Rio’s website, where tickets to the festival can also be purchased.