In this new feature, The Most Radicalist pick out their favourite emerging artists opening up festival stages across the globe.

For the first round, we head out to Lisbon in Portugal for NOS Alive festival.

Situated in the docklands on the outskirts of the Portuguese capital, NOS Alive is a astro-turfed paradise. Boasting an eclectic powerhouse of a line-up, it attracts Portuguese locals and foreign thrill seekers alike to its colourful, harbourside escape.

From heavy-hitters like Foo Fighters, The Weeknd and Depeche Mode, to the enthralling Fleet Foxes and the ever-magical sounds of The xx, the 2017 edition of NOS Alive was a wonder. Phoenix wowed with a carnival of colour in celebration of their new album Ti Amo, while Savages proved that last year’s Adore Life LP has lost none of its emotional potency as they’ve marched it around the world. Every step of the way, NOS Alive proved its place as one of the summer’s go-to galas.

Most excitingly though, NOS Alive’s line-up boasts a whole host of younger, up-and-coming Portuguese talent. We went along bright and early to check out some of the locals.

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YOU CAN'T WIN, CHARLIE BROWN

(Photo: Arlindo Camacho)

Channeling a similarly spirited bounce to TMR-faves Clean Cut Kid, the festival’s main stage was opened by a very smiley You Can’t Win, Charlie Brown. Just a stone’s throw from their Lisbon base, they’re an intriguing prospect, merging gloopy, blooming synths with jangly guitars and psych-rock madness. When things peel back, there are even hints of the mainstream-breaching delicate experimentalism of Alt-J (who follow YCW,CB on this same stage), and it’s all handled with a confidence that’s more than worthy of the huge cheers they’re greeted with.



PISTA

(Photo: José Fernandes)

Gnarled pop and odd instrumental odysseys are PISTA’s game. The three-piece occupy a similar warped alternate realm to the likes of Battles and Three Trapped Tigers, whipping the NOS Clubbing stage into a Friday evening frenzy. Sporting some of the shortest shorts this side of decency, theirs is a weird and wonderful introduction to Friday night’s frivolity, and one that leaves a lasting mark as they hop, skip and high-kick about the stage, tying ever-tighter knots of math-rock melody around their throng.



TIAGO BETTENCOURT

(Photo: Arlindo Camacho)

Portuguese singer-songwriter Tiago Bettencourt opens up the main stage on day two with a masterclass of grandiose pop. At times coming off like a Portuguese Father John Misty, he doesn’t descend into the morose in quite the same way as that bearded troubadour, though. Instead, there’s a note of hopefulness and defiance about Tiago. It’s the perfect fodder for a blindingly sunny afternoon, and soothes the Weeknd-fuelled hangovers of the festival’s first night perfectly.



MAI KINO

(Photo: Debora Jacinto)

The weird electronica of London-via-Lisbon newcomer Mai Kino is a captivating retreat from the poppier corners of the festival. Skittish, anxious instrumentals lead the way, but her powerful voice nevertheless provides something tangible to grab hold of. Half This Heat, half Lana Del Rey, there’s a weird cocktail behind Mai Kino, and it’s one that we’re definitely keen to hear more of after this sunny showing.



PLASTIC PEOPLE

(Photo: Hugo Macedo)

Not to be confused with the now-sadly-defunct East London club of the same name, Plastic People’s rollicking garage rock is the perfect fit for NOS Alive’s Heineken Stage on the festival’s closing day. A set of stomping rock‘n’roll brilliance, the bark of their early material is a great taste of things to come, both from Plastic People themselves, and from the rest of the evening as Benjamin Booker, Spoon and Fleet Foxes close out the weekend with their guitar-heavy sounds.



-Tom Connick

(Main photo: José Fernandes)