Portuguese band Fado Bicha to play first UK headline gig at Being Human Festival event in Leeds
Portuguese band Fado Bicha will play their first headline UK gig at an event in Leeds next month organised by two researchers in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures
Portuguese rising stars Fado Bicha will play their first headline UK gig at an event in Leeds next month organised by two researchers in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures.
The event, co-led by Dr Peter Haysom-Rodríguez and Sofia Martinho from the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies at the University of Leeds, will take place on 8 November at Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds.
It is part of the Being Human Festival, led by the School of Advanced Study at the University of London and in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy, is the UK’s premier festival celebrating research in the humanities through public engagement.
Fado Bicha are known for their powerful reinterpretations of traditional Portuguese fado music, infusing mournful classics with modern themes of LGBTQ+ resistance, anti-fascism, and social justice. Their music, featuring acoustic guitars and flamenco opera, is at the forefront of a cultural movement in Portugal that is promoting a more inclusive and diverse society. Their lyrics and performances challenge historical power structures, using the melancholic tones of fado music to communicate resilience and protest discrimination.
The performance, which ties in with the 50th anniversary of the fall of the Portuguese dictatorship led by António de Oliveira Salazar, offers a unique chance for the Leeds community to explore how music, identity, and history can provide new insights into cultural and political change.
We are thrilled to host Fado Bicha for their first-ever UK performance as we reflect on the fall of the dictatorship 50 years ago. The band’s work challenges traditional narratives and champions LGBTQ+ voices at a pivotal time when the far right is once again gaining traction in parts of Portugal.
Sofia Martinho added:
“This event is a unique opportunity to not only witness a new interpretation of a beloved musical tradition but also to engage in conversations about the intersections of art, politics, and identity. It’s part of a larger movement to ensure LGBTQ+ stories are heard and celebrated, and we’re proud to bring that dialogue to Leeds as part of the Being Human Festival.”
This year’s Being Human Festival programme highlights the ongoing importance of the humanities in addressing today’s most pressing social and cultural issues.
For more details on the event and to book tickets, visit See Tickets.
