Circo Voador is one of Rio de Janeiro’s premier venues when it comes to quality shows. In recent years I have followed at least 100 fashion shows, on exciting days, with packed audiences, others less so, but one thing is certain: the energy of the canvas is unique.
That said, the curation in 2023 got it right and experimented a lot, just look at this weekend’s double act, starting with Groundation, one of the major reggae bands of all time, and Blind Guardian, a rock icon German.
Resistence!
Groundation is completing 25 years of his career and has a long history of success in Brazil and in more than 50 countries where he has performed. Harrison Stafford, founding member, singer and guitarist of the group, emphasizes that “Groundation is like a musical container that allows me to create and perform the music I hear in my head”.
The sound comes partly from Harrison’s early childhood, listening to Duke Ellington and Miles Davis (both jazz artists), influenced by his grandfather and father. He formalized his musical education at Sonoma State University (SSU), completing a degree in Jazz Performance, where he honed his composition, arranging and production skills. Upon completion, Harrison went on to teach History of Reggae Music at SSU, before embarking on his musical journey. A journey that, in general, so far has 10 studio albums, a live album and dozens of successful tours.
The ten-piece band creates an entirely unique reggae sound, with jazz/funk-inspired touches, polymorphic Latin and Afro-African accents and smooth, soulful vocals. The shows always feature live improvisation, in classic jazz style, and are known for their high-energy, community atmosphere. The international respect gained by the band has also led them to record with some of the biggest names in Jamaican Roots Reggae, such as Israel Vibration, Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt (Bob Marley & The Wailers), The Congos, Don Carlos, The Abyssinians and Pablo Moses.
Rock classics
On Saturday 18 November the German rock band Blind Guardian will invade the Circus. The quartet presents The God Machine tour, an album released in 2022, which returns to the more visceral and aggressive style that the band had in the 90s. An evening to please fans of many eras of Blind Guardian! Gates open at 6pm.
Formed in 1984 in Krefeld, Germany, Blind Guardian became the since the 90s, one of the biggest names in European heavy metal and around the world, through successful albums such as “Somewhere Far Beyond”, “Imaginations from the Other Side” and “Sunset in Middle-earth.”
Considered one of the fathers of power metal, the band presents him distinctive features of the genre, such as fast songs, orchestral and fantasy themes inspired by authors such as JRR Tolkien, Stephen King and George RR Martin.
The group has a large fan base in Brazil, where they perform regularly since 1998. A rapid has already occurred up to and including 2023 visit to the country to perform the show as the main attraction Summer Breeze Festival, in Sao Paulo, in April. Now, in November, the Blind Guardian return to promote the album “The God Machine”.
Source: Terra
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
