Margareth Menezes & llê Aiyê To Celebrate Afro-Brazilian Culture at London’s Barbican
Margareth Menezes – one of the most powerful voices in Brazilian music – teams up with Ilê Aiyê for a special night celebrating Afro-Brazilian music and culture at London’s Barbican on Friday 26th July 2024. Her style is axé but her music also steers into samba and MPB (Música popular brasileira) territory, at times drawing on African rhythms and reggae. Menezes is also Brazil’s Minister of Culture, joining Lula’s government on 1st January 2023 and following in the tradition of Brazilian music legend Gilberto Gil, who served as Minister in Lula’s first administration.
llê Aiyê first came to prominence more than 50 years ago, challenging racist culture throughout the city and celebrating their African heritage by becoming the first exclusively black carnival group of Salvador in Brazil. The group bring their powerful drum rhythms to the Hall matched only by the fervour of their dancing, singing and beautiful costumes.
This unique evening at the Barbican celebrates the place of Afro-Brazilian communities in carnival and inviting audiences into its joyous world.
About Margareth Menezes & llê Aiyê:
Margareth Menezes is an artist in constant evolution and movement. Autêntica, her most recent album, was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2020 in the category of Best Portuguese Root Music Album. The album addresses Black women’s strength in songs such as Minha Diva, Minha Mãe and Mãe Preta. Her style is axé but her music also steers into samba and MPB territory, at times drawing on African rhythms and reggae.
Menezes is best known in Brazil for her song Faraó (Divindade do Egito) and Me Abraça e Me Beija, a major hit in 1990. She also scored another hit with Dandalunda, a song which became the unofficial anthem of the 2003 Salvador carnival. She became Brazil’s Minister of Culture, joining Lula’s government, in 2023, following in the tradition of Gilberto Gil who served as Minister in Lula’s first administration.
Ilê Aiyê is the first Afro-Bloco movement in Brazil. Founded in 1974 in Liberdade, the blackest neighbourhood of Salvador, Bahia, Ilê Aiyê began as a carnival group exclusively for Black people, in response to racism and their exclusion from participation in the city’s official carnival circuit. On ‘Noite da Beleza Negra’ (The ‘Black Beauty’ Night), the most important event before the carnival, the ‘Ebony Goddess’ – queen of the bloco – is chosen.
Feature Image Credit: Supplied By Baxter PR
Margareth Menezes & llê Aiyê takes place on Friday 26th July 2024 at
Barbican Centre
Silk Street
London
EC2Y 8DS
Start Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: £20 – £30
https://www.comono.co.uk/live/margareth-menezes-and-lle-aiye/
American Express Presents BST Hyde Park: All Things Orchestral with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra Returns
BST Hyde Park is thrilled to announce that the extraordinary classical music experience, All Things Orchestral, returns to Hyde Park for a fourth year as part of the Open House programme on Thursday 2 July 2026.
Tift Merritt Celebrates The Resilience Of Womanhood On New Single “Everyday Singing”
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Tift Merritt has released a new single “Everyday Singing,” from her first album in a decade, Sugar, due out June 26 via One Riot Records. The song – with its joyful choir of women – is about everyday resilience, especially the quiet strength passed between mothers and daughters.
Liverpool’s Ian Prowse Announces New Album – ‘No Names’
Having spent over 30 years making music to widespread critical acclaim Merseyside hero Ian Prowse announces his brand-new album, ‘No Names,’ arriving July 3rd via Learpholl Music. Twelve albums in and Ian Prowse hasn't softened, he's sharpened. ‘No Names’ brings...
Kezia Gill Releases Poignant, Career-spanning Video for ‘Life You Always Dreamed Of’
Singer, songwriter and UK country powerhouse, Kezia Gill – recently seen touring the UK & Europe with multiple Grammy-winner, Rodney Crowell – has released a video for the poignant, life-affirming track, ‘Life You Always Dreamed Of’.
Paper Verses To Release New EP ‘Promises’
Paper Verses, a folk duo from Kent comprised of Simone Lincoln and Matt Evans, is excited to announce the release of their new four-track EP ‘Promises’ on May 29, 2026. The duo will be performing at various UK venues and festivals across the summer – live dates listed below.
