Review: Gula + Alf + Corda in Lisbon, Ritz Clube

On February 21st, around 10pm a celebration would be held in.

The Portuguese GULA were celebrating the release of their debut EP O Ano da Fome [which you can now download from iTunes here] and we were there for the party.

The first band to join the stage were the young Alf, composed by Bernardo Vasconcelos on the bass guitar and synths, Pedro Morgado on drums and backing vocals, João Morgado on vocals and guitar and André Bispo on the guitars and backing vocals. They are a very interesting band, with good harmonies and instrumentally strong.

These four young men have a very appealing presence and a very catchy sound that contrast with the well structured songs, an easy turn from powerful and loud melodies to soft symphonies that get you unarmed.

With surprising waves in the songs but keeping the sense and bringing a whole new experience to each listener.

Their surprising synchronized rhythmic without losing their connection in each song, it’s clear their love for music and especially, the love for their music.
It’s really great to see such dedicated bands on stage, even though they seem so young but it’s obvious their talent and future in the business.

If it wasn’t for the drummer’s t-shirt, their influences would be harder to notice – The XX is, for sure, one of the bands that inspire these guys but it’s also noticeable other stronger genres like hard rock.

The second band were the five-piece named Corda composed by Pedro Bento on the guitars, Pedro Ferreira on the guitars, Raul Carvalho on drums and Tiago Proença on vocals.

It was a bit hard to get through out the performance but one thing is for sure, they are really powerful and full of energy.
The voice with flaws that yet bring a mysterious interpretation of their raw sound mixed with a quick upbeat background. Some moments of their performances were dark, proving that their music ain’t for everyone.

Their sound can be described has hard rock with strong influences of electronic music.

The kings of the night. Gula are composed by João Campos on vocals and guitars, Jorge Albuquerque on the guitars, Vitor Calado on drums, Luís Santos on the bass guitar and Bruno Mota on the synths and keyboards.

The first thing to highlight on their great performance is their powerful upbeat instrumentals, having the ability of getting our attention from the very beginning.

João’s vocals extent is flawless with incredible changes in its sound and rhythm but without reflecting any sign of tiredness.
It’s surprisingly good to see how geniusly close they are from the (un)expected, a really good surprise!

An expected quality that catches anyone for being so genuine and pure but mostly, true to themselves and their unique sound.

In terms of melodies and sounds, they are pretty strong and it's clear the talent of each member that bring such an individuality but in resume seem so cohesive and intense.

They make sense from bottom to top and I, personally, wasn't expecting such a great, catchy and interesting live acting from a band that's realizing their debut EP.

It's unquestionable Gula's talent and their truthfulness to their original sound that makes them so incredible and deserved to be explored and listened to. They have such a quality and everything tunes together.
Very versatile and appealing, somehow truly catchy and it really sticks in our heads for being so rich and different from each song.

The way they ended the night was really unpredictable covering a song 7 Mares from an old Portuguese band named Sétima Legião, what a great interpretation. They make a different view from this big Portuguese hit. It was refreshing and a great way of ending this great show!

A really, really great live performance from these men full of talent, cohesion and truthfulness to their music.
I just can’t wait to see Gula live again!