Fado Bicha is a musical, performative and activist project created in Lisbon, by Lila Fadista - voice and lyrics - and João Caçador - composition and instruments. Using fado as their main working tool, Lila and João propose a free exploration of this heritage, which overcomes some of the rigid barriers of current traditional fado, particularly gender norms and the erasure of the contributions and experiences of LGBTI people, but also the very doctrine of what fits within a fado denomination, musically and lyrically stretching the boundaries of its domain.

The project assumes a role of intervention, starting from the queer identities of Lila and João and their involvement in activist milieus and themes, as well as a critical reflection on Portuguese history and identity, claiming and stemming legitimacy from the changeable character of fado (like any other artistic expression), and the stifled queer ancestry - in fado and Portuguese society in general.

...

Fado Bicha is a musical, performative and activist project created in Lisbon, by Lila Fadista - voice and lyrics - and João Caçador - composition and instruments. Using fado as their main working tool, Lila and João propose a free exploration of this heritage, which overcomes some of the rigid barriers of current traditional fado, particularly gender norms and the erasure of the contributions and experiences of LGBTI people, but also the very doctrine of what fits within a fado denomination, musically and lyrically stretching the boundaries of its domain.

The project assumes a role of intervention, starting from the queer identities of Lila and João and their involvement in activist milieus and themes, as well as a critical reflection on Portuguese history and identity, claiming and stemming legitimacy from the changeable character of fado (like any other artistic expression), and the stifled queer ancestry - in fado and Portuguese society in general.

With more than 250 concerts in ten different countries, several singles and the official song for Joacine Katar Moreira's campaign in 2019 (first political campaign led by a black woman in Portugal), participations in theatre, cinema and television (acting and composing soundtracks), Fado Bicha also participated in 2022 in Festival da Canção, with the song "Povo pequenino", and released, a few months later, their debut album, "OCUPAÇÃO", produced by Luís Clara Gomes (Moullinex), which appeared on several lists of the best Portuguese albums of the year, including a #4 on Blitz's list. Currently, Fado Bicha acts as a trio, with the addition of Brazilian queer multi-instrumentalist Larie (aka Labaq) to the live shows....

Read more Hide full description.