Summer arrives in the tropics and Sao Paulo greets Primavera Sound with the same electric anticipation that Barcelona brings to its summer scene. On a Saturday forecast to hit 32 degrees, the festival returns to Brazil after a standout 2022 debut. The air crackles with anticipation, fashion forward pieces finally stepping into the light, and a crowd ready to soak in a full day and night of expansive, outdoor vibes with plenty of buzzing picnic setups.
Primavera in Sao Paulo feels natural, almost inevitable, as it plants itself on the city’s social calendar. The weekend draws around 50,000 attendees on both days, underscoring the festival’s strong pull in this metropolis. In this megacity of about 22 million, the experience often feels intimate, a sensation almost like returning to a small Swiss village after wandering through a global maze. Nearby, Lollapalooza makes its mark at the Interlagos Autodrome during a different season, offering a contrast in energy and timing. Yet the Barcelona-born spirit remains a central force, with a stage named for the Catalan capital that seems to have lived there all along, lending a consistent thread to the festival’s identity.
last night on earth
By the close of the festival there were two headline forces on stage. The Murderers took the night by storm, followed by Pet Shop Boys who delivered a powerful lineage of hits from a career spanning decades. The Murderers’ frontman, a veteran who has not performed with Barcelona since 2009, brought his signature punch and a sense of arena drama. His closing date for the 2023 tour carried the aura of a grand finale, and his performance bore the kind of intensity that fans remember for years. The ensemble of backup singers added additional punch, turning the set into a dramatic, unforgettable moment. A new collection named Rebel Diamonds arrived on December 8, amplifying the comeback with a bold statement of sound and style.
Pet Shop Boys reinforced a long standing bond with their Brazilian audience, a relationship formed during an earlier Discovery tour that began the group’s connection with the country. The show in Sao Paulo echoed the Barcelona performance from the previous May, presenting a sleek, futuristic stage design that traded black and white for color and light. The choreography combined precise movement with playful textures, riding the beat of songs like Suburban, Domino Dance, and a melancholic refrain that lingers long after the last note fades away. The result is a performance that feels both nostalgic and forward looking, a signature of the duo’s enduring appeal.
The Autódromo venue offered a practical, welcoming space with easy circulation and shorter distances between zones than might be found at larger arenas. The crowd skewed toward a slightly older demographic, likely reflecting the festival’s more veteran headliners and the depth of its catalog. Among the night’s standout moments, Group Z delivered a bold set with MC Bin Laden in command, a São Paulo native known for a kinetic, tribal vibe that blends rap with a strong sense of performance culture. The energy on stage carried a kinetic, streetwise confidence that set a distinct tone for the evening.
silver diva
A grand tribute unfolded as Marisa Monte appeared in a long metallic gown, her crown woven with care and her band anchored by a robust brass section. The veteran singer held the crowd in the palm of her hand, guiding them through a curated journey of her best work. The set featured resonant highlights like Maria de Verdade, Infinito, Amor I Love You, and a nostalgic nod to Rita Lee with a playful nod to Twelve Vampires and Já sei namorar. The performance felt like a celebration of Brazilian artistry, a bridge between tradition and contemporary pop spectacle that left the audience spellbound.
Other Brazilian acts brought an electric, sunlit excitement to the night, revisiting early favorites with warmth and vigor that connected across generations. In the more rock oriented corners of the bill, bands offered a diverse mix of styles that kept the crowd guessing. The night also highlighted Catalan artist Marina Herlop, who performed in a unique setup with electronic textures and an almost ceremonial stage presence. Her exploration of Nekkuja fused magical and primitive motifs, hinting at a broader spiritual current that seemed to resonate with the audience and with a sense of primal energy that transcended language.