Review: You Can't Win,Charlie Brown in Lisbon, Cinema São Jorge

The Portuguese band You Can’t Win, Charlie Brown (or YCWCB) made a gig at a beautiful old cinema in Lisbon – Cinema São Jorge. The main objective of this show was to raise funds so the band can accomplish their dream and be able to perform on the very known US festival South By Southwest (SXSW), in Texas next March 13.

On a small but full cosy old cinema room, the band gave an amazing show without big scenarios or huge visual effects, focusing mainly on small individual stages, with several instruments and some interesting neon colors contrasting with the basic colors on the top of each stage.
The band was responsible for the entire production. The colorful stages were created by João Paulo Feliciano, co-owner of the Patacas label (with his brother Mário Feliciano).

All the scenarios followed the songs, creating a harmonious environment, becoming even more exciting to see them.

One of the best things of the night was exactly that, their connection as people and as a band. They are long-time friends and that was clear on every smile, every laugh, every look and every story they shared. And You Can’t Win, Charlie Brown didn’t simple show up, play and leave like it was an awkward job to do. They tried to connect with people. Their honesty background appeared along the show, and it was obvious how six guys (from who we would expect something really messy) turned out to be so simple, so passionately dedicated and so full of expectations … They overcome themselves, what I’ve seen on that show was bigger than a three-year old band. YCWCB are like that – honest – and that reflects on everything they do.

The band is composed by a six multi-task band – Afonso Cabral, Salvador Menezes, David Santos (Noiserv), Tomás Sousa, Luís Costa and João Gil – where everyone plays almost everything. But this show also counted with a very special guest appearance.

Before the show the expectations were high but “The pressure was much bigger for the logistic involved on the stages, lights and the reason behind the show” said Luís Costa (usually on the guitars). According to him the only ritual the band has before coming to stage is the traditional “Eat fast, we are already late!” added with humor.

The show started a bit after 10 pm, the band’s first thought was “There’s really A LOT of people!”
The first song was An Ending – curiously the last of their album Chromatic – making a slow and calm start with a beautiful piano introduction and oddly amazing arrangements.

Along the night the show included incredible vocal interpretations by Afonso, Salvador and David (Noiserv) singing and performing great songs like Until December, I’ve Been Lost or A While Can Be A Long Time. With João running from guitars to keyboards, Afonso to the guitars and funny instrumental swaps.

Calm moments with Sad Song and Glimpse didn’t disturb the joyful, enthusiastic and happy spirit on the colorful stage, contributing to a very festive night.

The young band dared to play a Leonard Cohen’s classic – Who By Fire – showing how graceful and curious YCWCB can be, exceeding their own limits.

PAUS – the special guest appearance, or at least the Siamese drums section performed by the huge Hélio Morais and Joaquim Albergaria – also contributed for the festive feeling.

They performed Deixa-me Ser – a PAUS original – and Song Worm. The eight artists didn’t mess up a bit and we were able to see one of the best moments of the night, without missing kind compliments and supporting words from PAUS.
I want to highlight Tomás performance with the PAUS’ drummers. It was obvious his contagious happiness for all the good reasons.

Playing almost the entire Chromatic, the band played Sort Of from their first self-titled EP before a very small break.

You Can’t Win, Charlie Brown left the stage returning minutes after to conclude brilliantly the show with three more songs.
But there was time for a joke from Afonso saying “No one gets fooled by this encore stories anymore. Wow, we’re back… Surprise!”

The Song Below started the encore with Afonso on the piano and Luís following up on the guitar, introducing the new Medicine from their EP 3.33, including the return of the rest of the band.

The gig ended with the strong and known Over The Sun/Under The Water inviting back to stage their guests PAUS, who ended amazingly cool with all the audience clapping, singing, dancing and celebrating the great night they had.

At the end of the show, the band was “euphoric, and we still are! It was probably our best end of concert ever, thanks to PAUS!”


Many people were able to congratulate them and support personally the band for their success in Texas. About it, Luís said “I don’t know how to answer this without sounding any cliché, but the public was incredible… Since we enter the stage - being probably our biggest standing ovation we had so far – until the apotheotic end with everyone standing and dancing” he also added that the people’s feedback was “excellent, not only on the direct contact after the show, but also from messages added on our Facebook along the days. We have the best fans in the world!”


You Can't Win,Charlie Brown are absolutely part of the Portuguese music future.

Rating: 5/5


Special thanks to Diana Pereira for the videos, Raquel Lains, Luís Costa, You Can't Win,Charlie Brown and Pedro Figueiredo and Rui M Leal for the photographs above.