Review: Festival Optimus Alive! 2011

This review will only reflect what I was able to see on the Portuguese festival Optimus Alive! 2011 which happened between July 6th and 9th. Notice everything write below is just my personal opinion about the artists I’ve had the pleasure to see live on the Festival – you have all the right to disagree with them but please do respect my ideas.

July 6th

James Blake (8 pm) – Very nice live artist although not for everyone. He has this peculiar style, this electronic pop with a few touches of dark sense which makes it a very good but for a small group. I recommend him, and I’ll really see him next time, I suited a kind of pop I didn’t expect to like make Mr. Blake totally surprising mostly because I didn’t expect that sound to come out from a 22 year old. Visually it was a bit weak, but the audio and performance made it worth it – being on the secondary stage didn’t help that much, but hopefully it was a good way to impress Portuguese audience and to return.

Rating: 3.5/5

James Blake by João Máximo

Blondie (8.30 pm) – I’ve only seen a bit, but I like what I saw. Not part of my choices neither I want to see them again, but it was pretty funny to see a band I’ve always heard about and which  I’ve known some songs, mostly because belongs to the 80’s and I love that decade. On stage all the energy was there, but there was something missing.

Rating: 2/5

Coldplay (10 pm) – The reason I decided to go to Optimus Alive! I always dreamed to see Coldplay live and although I couldn’t see very much – thanks to the huge crowd around and in front of me – they surprised the hell out of me, they took the stage; they consumed every each of energy available around not leaving anyone to rest. People that wasn’t sure to be fan, I am sure they are now. Playing all the hits – Clocks, The Scientist, Yellow, Viva La Vida and playing a bunch of new songs like the newest Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall.
The acoustic session played between Chris Martin and Will Champion, absolutely a magic moment.
The visuals were amazing – not the best but good enough to impress everyone: the lights, the confetti everything seemed planned at the very single detail.
Their concert only made my wish to see them solo even higher because although all the positive things something was left, maybe on another time we could see more Coldplay and less franchise.

Rating: 4.5/5

Coldplay by João Máximo

July 7th

Everything Everything (5.55 pm) – I started to hear this new and fresh British band many months later I’ve known they were coming to the Festival. They were fantastic, with a good energy towards the lake of people on the audience, too bad for those who missed. They left with a good Portuguese impression and the fans with an interesting performance.
On the secondary stage, Everything Everything were a good warming up band.

Rating: 3/5

My Chemical Romance (7.45 pm) – Probably played too early, but My Chemical Romance took advantage of their stage and had an amazing show. MCR were full of energy, with new songs and mixing the old ones with the already known revolutionary party but somehow reaching everyone on the crowd.
The band’s performance concentrated mostly on the new songs and left outside the setlist songs like I Don’t Love You or Sing, terribly bad for most fans.
The visuals weren’t hysterical but they were enough to keep the teenagers on fire such as everyone who caught the chance to see them. 
Although they were amazingly good and played pretty well, except for some problems with the mic and we could barely hear Gerard – a pitty at my view – but still a good show.

Rating: 3.5/5

My Chemical Romance by João Máximo

Xutos & Pontapés (9.20 pm) – They are one of the most popular rock bands in Portugal. With more than 30 years of career, their show is based on the songs and personal performance and not for the visual impact, which is interesting because it’s a bit hard for a band to be catchy without good visuals.
Surprisingly this was my first time seeing them, a bit strange for a Portuguese native I believe, but it was worth the waiting. Incredibly good musicians, with a good set list but without all the known songs, Xutos & Pontapés had a solid show, totally surprising.

Rating: 3.5/5

Foo Fighters (00.35 am) – They were awesome, we can’t expect less than that from Foo Fighters, but I felt it was something missing. Sure, I’m not a huge fan, I enjoy their songs and they give a good show, Dave Grohl is a hell of an entertainer but I was a bit disappointed with the set list, might sound bad but two of the most known songs were only played after more than an hour after the show, since I had other plans to see other bands I missed them, because I expected to see them play it sooner, but still I enjoyed them, they really know how to catch people and how to make an interesting show.
Probably I would see them again.

Rating: 3.5/5

Teratron (01.35 am) – I’ve only seen like 3 songs, but I enjoyed this Portuguese electronic project, composed by two members of the ex-Da Weasel. Their catchy sound and danceable style, put the few people of the crowd dancing like maniacs. I had the chance to be on the front line of Teratron and it was so so worth it! I really enjoyed although the few I’ve seen.
They are a good band and I really wish they get all the merit they deserve, because Electronic world in growing slowly in Portugal, but is growing lately.
Visually pretty interesting, with a few funny stuff on stage – although being on Palco Super Bock (the secondary stage) they had a good visuals and a very nice presentation. Worth the time!

Rating: 3/5

The Bloody Beetroots (03.00 am) – The gig I was eager to see this night. The Bloody Beetroots are one of my favorite electronic bands worldwide and I really expect something good, but I was blown by the fantastic job they did on set.
They skipped a few known songs like Warp 1.9 with Steve Aoki, but maybe that’s the reason, Steve Aoki wasn’t there to sing it so I wouldn’t make sense. Playing amazing songs like Cornelius or Warp 7.7
For me the best gig of the night, The Bloody Beetroots don’t do things half way and this gig, although being on a Festival, was felt and lived like their own.
They are impressive, they can put every single person on the crowd jumping and feeling the song like crazy, and it’s absolutely worth it, absolutely amazing, absolutely incredible.
I left the gig being much more fan than I used to and I thank them for that.
Visually stunning, The Bloody Beetroots left a crowd wishing for more.

Rating: 5/5

The Bloody Beetroots by João Máximo

July 8th

30 Seconds To Mars (11.00 pm) – Most people that went this day were only for them, for some reason I suppose. After the huge problem that the organization managed very well, with three cancelled shows and the other two starting a bit late, 30 Seconds To Mars took advantage and give their everything.
I was really surprised because their 45min to 1hour show was like anything had happen and they were there giving their all to make everything perfect. Honestly? They did it!
By the end, the gig sounded too small and everyone wanted more. Jared Leto is a very good communicator and we were able to see it on stage: being goofy, kind, reaching for everyone on the crowd. They played all the known songs, all the good ones, somehow it was a clever set list, because it was clearly reduced but they give their everything to take advantage of the small time they had making it a very good show.
Visually speaking 30 Seconds To Mars were impressive like they should be.

Next time? I’ll go see them again!

Rating: 4.5/5

30 Seconds To Mars by João Máximo

The Chemical Brothers (01.15 am) – The Chemical Brothers’ show blown my mind! I didn’t expect such rich, fulfilled, complete show. I wasn’t very fan of them, but people told me they had such interesting shows and I got truly curious about it and they were so much better than I’ve ever expect them to be. Electronic good music – a style over used these days but they continue doing it so perfectly nice. Visually speaking? Probably the best I’ve seen on the festival, all the details, all the crazy shinning lights, all the simplicity beyond the flash lights. They had everything, they did everything perfectly. It was flawless, I can’t find any mistake. After three songs I got into the mood, I breathe every note and every sound.

They were so impressive, so young, so modern. I really loved their show, I left that day with a pretty optimistic feeling and wishing them back soon.

Rating: 5/5

Steve Aoki (02.30 am) – I couldn’t see the entire gig because I wasn’t expecting to see the whole The Chemical Brothers’ show. But what I was able to see, Aoki is so damn good! As soon as I arrived it seemed there was a party going on, people were enjoying themselves, they were living the gig, they were living the sound like there’s no tomorrow. I like when artists can reach people like that, it’s so rare and truly unique to see. Aoki is the head master, he is such a genius and full of creativity.

Aoki is welcome back anytime he wants, he will always have a full house.

Rating: 4/5

July 9th

Wu Lyf (05.50 pm) – I didn’t know Wu Lyf that much before see them on the festival, only a few days before I started listen them and when I saw them live, they surprised me! They were absolutely amazing. Their style is indescribable, they are pretty unique and that only made me more curious to see them live and I’m so glad I saw them.  One of those truly worth it bands, once more not for everyone thanks to their peculiar style of singing and playing but I suggest it to adventurous people. Wu Lyf are one of the most promising bands of this year.

Rating: 3.5/5

Strip Steve (06.30 pm) – Very nice DJ. I only was able to see a few songs, Optimus Clubbing at that time was pretty empty so I was able to have a very nice perspective to Steve himself, I enjoy his sound, and he has a very nice future in front of him. It was a very interesting DJ to discover there, because I had the idea that stage was a bit force, only to make number instead of putting quality, and Steve change that idea. He is absolutely interesting and a very nice DJ.

Rating: 3.5/5

Strip Steve by João Máximo

White Lies (07.20 pm) -  The few songs I’ve heard I totally love them, I already had a good impression of White Lies but after that show my impression was even higher, it was a very calm show, without a huge crowd I even got the luxury to see them seat on the ground and I saw very fine. I discovered that I enjoyed White Lies more than I firstly thought, they are very good and Indie people I suggest them. They have a very nice sound and they show it all live. If you have a chance to see them, do it! You won’t be disappointed. Visually very poor but still a very nice show.

Rating: 3/5

Kaiser Chiefs (08.30 pm) – Kaiser Chiefs gave everything! I am a Kaiser Chiefs fan and gladly I saw them before but this show? This show was extremely good! Kaiser Chiefs always give everything on their gigs and this performance wasn’t an exception. Catching people’s attention, they ran, they sang, they made jokes, they drake beer, Ricky ran out of stage to a beer tend near the stage and drake beer only because he wanted to, Kaiser Chiefs are completely mad people but they can put every single person on the crowd jumping, laughing with their craziness, envying their energy and their good music. They are a very good and catchy live person and I would pay anything to see them again and again, they worth everything. Kaiser Chiefs are one of those bands you have to see live to believe. They are good, very good. With very simple visuals and betting on themselves, they will never make a same gig EVER, they will always find a way to be different, to be joyful and to be Kaiser Chiefs.

Rating: 4.5/5

Kaiser Chiefs by João Máximo

Paramore (10.00 pm) – For their first time in Portugal they were good. I might had expected too much from them but they were very good, they surprised everyone by inviting a few fans to stage and that is something very humble for a band of their success. They think about their fans’ happiness and gladly they do. They didn’t play all their hits, unfortunately, but they had a very solid gig, with energy, slows, talks and surprises. They know what they do and they are good at it. Paramore should had return earlier but later than ever and hopefully to return soon. Visually speaking I was expecting a bit more but they had all to give a very pleasant show.

Rating: 4/5

Boys Noize (00.45 am) – From what I was able to see, which was not that much, very very good. I heard too much about them and I was a bit septic to see them, but curiosity killed me and I when to Optimus Clubbing to see them and I’m glad I did. They’ve chosen very nice sounds, very interesting catchy songs and Boys Noize surprised me. They know what they are doing and they put everything on stage – which is so nice to see for us as fans and for us as music lovers.
I honestly hope they return soon.

Rating: 3.5/5

Duck Sauce (01.20 am) – I always said if I was going to see Duck Sauce, I would only see their “Barbra Streisand” hit and I did. I had a perfect timing because like 5 minutes after I arrive to the main stage they played Barbra Streisand in extended version and I like them, I was able to hear a song before and after and I was a bit disappointed, after Barbra Streisand I was expecting something really big but I didn’t find it. They were good but not that much to be on the main stage, probably I would change them for Boys Noize but still options. I think Duck Sauce aren’t good enough for main stage but still a very interesting band and their hit really put that crowd dancing.

Rating: 3/5

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Love,

P