Nine Inch Nails, CMAT, and Olivia Rodrigo kick off yet another dynamic and vibrant edition of NOS Alive.

      Festivals

      Justice, Amyl and the Sniffers, and Barry Can’t Swim are key attractions at this year's Lisbon festival.

      Few festivals greet you with the pleasant, salty scent of sea air, but as Lisbon’s NOS Alive kicks off its 17th year, that's precisely what fills your senses upon entering the vibrant Passeio Marítimo de Algés. The Portuguese festival offers an experience for all senses; not only do some of music's most renowned artists, covering a range of genres, perform over the next three days, but the neatly landscaped site is filled with numerous food stalls and brand experiences crafted to enhance enjoyment during breaks between performances. As is typical for Lisbon in July, the sun shines warmly on the festival's opening day, starting with a pop-heavy lineup on the Palco NOS (the main stage), featuring viral sensations Benson Boone and Noah Kahan, leading up to the headliner later tonight. However, it’s the Palco Heineken where the excitement truly amplifies, as Barry Can’t Swim electrifies the relatively cozy tent, turning it into a pulsating club for an hour. His live performance boldly enhances selections from his debut album ‘When Will We Land?’ and the soon-to-be-released ‘Loner’, especially the energetic ‘About To Begin’, syncing perfectly with the warm atmosphere outside. Later that evening, the mood shifts with Glass Animals, whose enthusiastic performance spills beyond the tent for a brief yet exhilarating sequence of their biggest hits. Yet, it’s undeniable that the spotlight of the day belongs to Olivia Rodrigo. Throughout the day, the audience at Palco NOS has gradually swelled, spanning at least five decades; for every group of twenty-somethings adorned in glitter, there's a squad of young teens waving signs, their parents watching with pride. The sheer exhilaration generated by the crowd when Olivia finally steps on stage to the pulsating beat of ‘obsessed’ is palpable, reaching a climax when she plays ‘driver’s license’ on the piano. However, it’s in her most intense moments—the sultry ‘jealousy, jealousy’ and the exhilarating ‘brutal’—that Olivia shines, tapping into a punk-inspired Riot Grrrl vibe that resonates deeply. The fact that she's exposing many young women to such powerful themes makes her a vital figure in music today.

      The next day shifts focus on Palco NOS to the realm of electronica. Italian-American producer Anyma concludes NOS Alive's second day with his impressive visuals, but it's the French duo Justice who truly captivates. Since debuting this version of their stage show at Coachella last year, their performance has evolved into a finely tuned audiovisual spectacle that must be experienced live; it's arguably among the most powerful productions in recent times. Positioned against a constantly changing backdrop of screens and lights, Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay command attention, expertly orchestrating a dazzling display that elicits elation from the audience. This nearly compensates for Sam Fender's last-minute cancellation of his Main Stage performance, which was replaced by the retro indie disco vibes of The Wombats. Meanwhile, the Heineken stage offers a contrasting atmosphere with the back-to-back performances of FINNEAS—celebrating his solo album ‘For Cryin’ Out Loud!’—and St Vincent. Scheduled at the almost narratively perfect hour of 1 am, her somewhat unpredictable performance feels more like a solo burlesque act than a typical rock show, showcasing the thrilling electricity of her work, specifically from her upcoming album ‘All Born Screaming’.

      As the festival's final day begins, the venue is bustling with fans wearing merchandise from either Muse or Nine Inch Nails. First up, CMAT from Dunboyne effortlessly eases everyone into the day. Much like her praised Glastonbury appearance, displaying her personality and charm is paramount during her set (alongside her Very Sexy CMAT Band), which she does with flair: at one point, she pauses to grab a pastel de nata from the audience and devours it in a few bites. Her enticing country-influenced music shimmers in the evening light, yet it’s her vibrant and unapologetic performance that is truly enchanting. As the day's lineup gravitates towards heavier sounds, it’s no surprise that Amyl and the Sniffers have drawn a crowd at the Heineken stage, with fans eager to catch a glimpse inside the tent. True to form, Amy Taylor of the band is a dynamic presence, decked out in a top-and-shorts combination adorned with fangs. Their explosive set is primarily drawn from last year’s ‘Cartoon Darkness’, marked by a spirited call for support for Palestine and a collective singalong to celebrate drummer Bryce Wilson's birthday, followed by a playful challenge to down a small pint. After all, life is about balance.

      When Muse finally takes the stage tonight, the crowd in front of Palco NOS is arguably at its most massive

Other articles