Daniela Mercury gives tips for listening to good music in Salvador – 01/26/2024 – Tourism

With the help of a summer full of cultural events and religious celebrations that anticipate its famous Carnival, Salvador becomes an even more musically pulsating place and a full dish for tourists who want to know this side of the city.

The state capital, which is the cradle of musical genres such as samba, samba-reggae, axé and arrocha, has centuries-old spots, such as Pelourinho, and others created to be cultural centers, such as LaLá Casa de Arte, ABOCA Arts Center and Candyall Guetho Square, which help tell the story of the traditional Bahian music scene — while also nourishing it.

All these spaces were mentioned, for the Sheetby Bahian artists such as Daniela Mercury, Carlinhos Brown and Russo Passapusso, who will be performing at the Salvador Summer Festival this Saturday (27th) and Sunday (28th), as ideal places to listen to good music in the city.

See below for tips on the artists selected for the event’s lineup, which will also feature attractions such as Àttoxxá, Ivete Sangalo, Ile Aiyê and Margareth Menezes.

Àttooxxá
“Our tip for those in Salvador is to visit the Ó Paí, Ó restaurant, owned by our beloved Érico Brás. Located in Pelourinho, in the historic center, it is an incredible space with live music —mainly originating from samba duro and samba reggae— , like the band Viola de Marujo, an attraction that is always present there. It is certainly impossible to visit Salvador and not see it.”

Oh Father, Oh – Lgo. Terreiro de Jesus, 4, Pelourinho, Instagram @opaiopelo. Tues. to Sun., from 12pm to 10pm

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Carlinhos Brown
“First place is the Candeal neighborhood, where you will see spontaneous music played on the street. Of course, if there is a rehearsal in the Guetho [Candyall Guetho Square]you will be able to observe a Timbalada rehearsal, or a meeting between me and people.

There is also MAM, the Museum of Modern Art, which brings together jazz artists, instrumental music and music of all types, and another wonderful place, Pelourinho. There you can walk naturally and soon you will hear Olodum playing, Filhos de Gandhy playing, Cortejo Afro playing music that happens spontaneously.”

Pelourinho – historic center
Candyall Guetho Square – R. Paulo Afonso, 411, Candeal
Museum of Modern Art of Bahia – av. Lafayete Coutinho, s/n, Commerce

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Daniela Mercury
“The tip is to visit Pelourinho, at the rehearsals of Afro groups such as Olodum and Cortejo Afro. Don’t forget to drink a carnation and walk freely, dancing, through the stone streets surrounded by colorful houses. There is also Casa da Mãe, in Rio Vermelho , where young artists show all the talent that Bahia has.”

Pelourinho – historic center
Olodum – agenda at @olodum_oficial
Afro Cortege – agenda at @cortejoafro
Casa da Mãe – R. Guedes Cabral, 81, Rio Vermelho, Instagram @casadamaeoficial

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Illy
“Casa da Mãe: to enjoy good music and good meetings.
Samba Djanira at the Museum of Modern Art (MAM): the samba of Bahia eating in the center, in a stunning sunset.
Beira Mar/Ribeira: the best sea bathing in Salvador.”

Mother’s House – r. Guedes Cabral, 81, Rio Vermelho, Instagram @casadamaeoficial
Samba Djanira – schedule at @illy
Hugo’s Bar – r. Parque São José, 34-44, Bonfim

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Marcia Castro
“Hidden has this itinerant character that I find sensational, and also occupying space in the historic center — always playing Bahian music, representing various local artists. I think it’s brilliant.

There is also ABOCA Centro de Artes, which has been a highlight of Wednesdays in Salvador because it features a super eclectic and performative repertoire by Portella Açúcar and Vejo Araújo who are making history. It is an unmissable spot in the city.

And LaLá, who takes independent Bahian music to the forefront every summer. It is in Rio Vermelho, one of our great bohemian centers. This musical occupation that takes place there is extremely relevant, as we fill the space not only with bohemia and gastronomy, but with music.

So these three places, in fact, I think they represent an interesting part of the Bahian summer in terms of music.”

Hidden – r. Chile, 7, historic center, Instagram @hidden.salvador. Thu. to Sat., from 5pm. Artistic cover R$30 (except for special events)
ABOCA Arts Center – r. dos Marchantes, 12, Santo Antônio Além do Carmo, Instagram @abocacentrodeartes
LaLá Casa de Arte – r. da Paciência, 329, Rio Vermelho, Instagram @lalacasadearte

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Russian Passapusso (BaianaSystem)
“If Gerônimo is playing on the stairs, on Rua do Passo, in Pelourinho, go. There on the stairs there is the absurd construction of everything we see in Latin music, South American music, the roots of samba reggae, these claves not so known as Bahian music.

You are walking through the streets of the city, understanding what to do: look for the MinistereoPúblico SoundSystem, a wandering sound system. It’s close to those streets behind Rio Vermelho, on a street that has some concert venues and bars. When you get close you will hear the bass hitting and everything will happen.

I think these places are very important to understand the story. Additionally, visit vinyl stores to also purchase your sounds and put them on the record player — and make your own place that must be visited.”
Escadaria do Passo – Ladeira do Carmo, 24, Santo Antônio
MinistereoPúblico SoundSystem – agenda at @ministereopublico