Optimus Alive 2012: Ten To See

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This weekend Lisbon’s Optimus Alive boasts a heavy weight line up of international superstar headliners – Radiohead, The Cure, The Stone Roses and an enticing round up of less established indie, rock, pop and dance acts. European festivals are thriving and it is easy to see why. The ticket price is under £100. There is guaranteed sun and much cheaper booze. There is also the more leisurely European festival time frame with live music programmed from early evening to the early hours, which leaves you the day to laze about in the sunshine. The international crowd is usually a little older than bigger UK festivals’ and tends to be slightly more civilised, though no less enthusiastic as an audience.

This all adds up to an opportunity to have an incredible, sun soaked weekend of brilliant music whilst also being able to return home feeling more relaxed than when you departed and without the swift onset of flu. Check out some of what’s on offer in Lisbon this weekend.

The Antlers

Saturday Heineken Stage, 20:30

The Antlers consistently create music of startling beauty. They also recently announced their latest EP, Undersea, and where better to hear stunning new songs along an aquatic theme than at a festival on the coast?

Refused

Friday Optimus Stage, 19.40

The Swedish hardcore punk band, who are NOT FUCKING DEAD, have been powering through shows on their reunion tour proving that not all reanimated bands should be written off as cash hungry pretenders.

Warpaint

Sunday, Heineken Stage 19.15

Even at their earliest shows Warpaint impressed by indulging their prog tendencies by throwing out expansive versions of their dreamy album tracks. After two more years on tour polishing their already strong instrumental skills you can expect this to be a spellbinding set.

Planningtorock

Friday Optimus Clubbing Stage, 01.40

In between the bigger acts it’s always good to get along to a show where the artist’s unpredictable idiosynchratic nature is guaranteed to transfix. DFA’s Janine Rostron is set to put on one of the most intriguing performances of the festival.

James Murphy and Pat Mahoney

Saturday Optimus Clubbing Stage, 02:00

LCD might be no more but James Murphy and Pat Mahoney’s passion for music has not dimmed in the slightest judging by reviews of the prolific pairs’ DJ sets at festivals this year. Expect a wealth of brilliant music from across all genres expertly mixed to create the best party set you’ve ever experienced.

Art Department

Saturday Optimus Clubbing Stage, 22:20

As the EDM as a branding excercise versus electronic music as artistry debate continues to unfold it seems the right time to take a look back at a purist version of a genre that has been around since electronic sounds began starting parties: house. Yes, outside of London it’s very much alive and Art Department are one of its most highly regarded acts. Curious to see how people dance without the dub or wubs? Check out this lot.

SBTRKT

Sunday Heineken Stage, 00:30

At the end of an epic tour for a record that soundtracked more summer parties than any other, what else can SBTRKT have developed to push his stage show further?

Miuda

Friday Heineken Stage, 20:20

You can’t not see at least one local act at a foreign festival and Lisbon’s Miuda could provide the pop hit to really get you on a party vibe for the rest of the night.

The Cure

Friday Optimus Stage, 23:10

There’s strong potential for a behemoth 3 hour ala Primavera but even if you’re not a massive fan The Cure have enough classic tracks to lure you over to the main stage for a little while at least.

Radiohead

Sunday Optimus Stage, 22:30

It’s Radiohead.

For the full line-up and more information head here.