In the southern suburbs of São Paulo, a new city is emerging. Samba big bands, complete with full orchestras, infuse Brazil’s national music groove into the vibrant town square. A grand Brazilian Broadway show takes place inside a large dome, performing four times a day on a stage bedecked with a life-sized train. A gourmet market and zip line thrill visitors, while top rock and pop stars entertain the 100,000 residents on enormous stages resembling the city’s skyline. There’s even a national anthem and a functioning church that conducts official weddings, presided over by an incredibly convincing Freddie Mercury impersonator.
The Headliners
This is The Town, a new festival created by the team behind Rock In Rio, described as a fusion of Glastonbury and Disneyland. During its two weekends in early September, it becomes the largest and most exciting show on Earth. The first weekend featured performances by Post Malone, Demi Lovato, Iggy Azalea, and Bruno Mars, and as NME arrives for the second weekend, the party is already in full swing.
In a dazzling display of flames and fireworks, The Chainsmokers cater to a euphoric pop crowd by blending ‘Seven Nation Army’ into Justice Vs Simian’s ‘We Are Your Friends’ and energizing their Coldplay collaboration ‘Something Just Like This’ to an exhilarating extreme. Maroon 5, the headliners, kick off their set with ‘Moves Like Jagger,’ ‘This Love,’ and a cover of Gym Class Heroes’ ‘Stereo Hearts,’ delivering an exuberant performance filled with falsettos and flashy double denim outfits. For the encore, Adam Levine and his bandmates donned Brazil shirts, and Levine belted out “She Will Be Loved” with unabashed pop rock stardom.
Magical Night
As the Foo Fighters returned to São Paulo on Saturday for the rock-themed day, emotions ran high due to the recent loss of Taylor Hawkins. The entire lineup, including the Foo Fighters, was deeply moved to be part of the event, and their emotions were evident throughout the performances. Garbage’s Shirley Manson reflects on the band’s survival as they deliver a powerful performance, and Wet Leg has a heartfelt moment during their last show of a two-year tour. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, known for their electrifying live performances, captivate the crowd with their blend of synthetic tunes from their latest album and their punk classics.
Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters rock the stage with a two-and-a-half-hour performance, showcasing their extensive catalog. Pop music returns on the final day with Kim Petras embracing a saucy and provocative persona. Local Brazilian artists like Gloria Groove and Jao deliver flamboyant performances that keep the energy high. Bruno Mars and his soulful band charm the audience with their classic soul and pop hits, making him São Paulo’s ultimate heartthrob.
As the festival concludes with a burst of fireworks, two questions remain: How much does it cost to live in this new city, and do we need a visa to stay?
