It seemed like an ordinary Thursday in Brasilia, but a tropical atmosphere arrived in the city, more precisely at the Ulysses Centro de Convenções, with the show of Caetano Veloso.
From the opening chord of “Branquinha” to the collective explosion that ended the night with “Odara,” Caetano showed why he continues to be one of the country’s most important artists.
On the stage of the Estilo Brasil Festival, he appeared light, attentive, connected — and at the head of an extremely harmonious group, which carried the show with precision.
The audience was still settling in when Caetano launched into “Gente,” greeting the spontaneous chorus that filled the entire room.
Then came the first hubbub: “Vaca Profana,” accompanied by a delicate tribute to Gal Costa projected on the screen – a meeting of memories that made the house sing as if it were one body.
With “Divino, Maravilhoso”, the piece became a unique atmosphere, recalling the tropicalist origins that shaped MPB.
The sequence thickened with “Cajuína”, moving and clear, followed by the politicized beat of “Podres Poderes” — a song which, released 40 years ago, remains urgent.
The group, impeccable, crossed all the atmospheres with elegance: the synthetic groove of “Anjos Tronchos”, the particular swing of “Eclipse Oculto”, the sensitivity of “Sozinho”, and the collective agitation of “Você Não Me Ensino a Te Esquecer”, which transformed the audience into a very tuned chorus.
The strongest moment of the evening came shortly after. Caetano made a brief and firm speech, saying that Brasilia is a very important place, “created by JK and which must command a lot of respect.”
The phrase found the audience already attentive, but what followed delighted: a spontaneous, deafening chorus of “no amnesty!” invaded the theater, resonating like a political and emotional wave that passed through the visibly moved artist.
Returning to music, Caetano presented the beautiful and still recent “Uma Baiana”, a visual and lyrical reference to the Salvadoran group BaianaSystem, followed by the timeless tenderness of “Very Romântico” and the luminous catharsis of “Alegria, Alegria”, which made the first spectators dance.
But the big surprise of the evening arrived shortly after: an elegant and chilling version of Djavan’s “Linha do Equateur,” while the screen projected shapes inspired by Oscar Niemeyer’s features – all of Brasilia seemed to breathe together.
From then on, the show changes temperature. “Não Enche” brought good humor, “Queixa” brought screams and had the audience vibrating in their seats, “Um Índio” brought that respectful silence and “Fora da Ordem” revived the political pulse of the show.
After Caetano introduced the whole band – rightly applauded – he delivered a breathtaking final sequence: “Desde Que o Samba é Samba”, with the audience on their feet, dancing; the classic “Reconvexo”, which ignited the audience; and “É Hoje”, in a carnival atmosphere full of emotion.
The audience asked for more – and Caetano responded. He returned to sing “A Luz de Tieta,” bringing laughter, memories and wild voices from the audience.
With the group, he did one final trick that closed the show at its climax: “Odara,” with people dancing in the hallways, arms raised, eyes shining and the clear feeling that this night would remain etched in the bodies of everyone who was there.
While the theater is still buzzing, the Ulysses Centro de Convenções is already preparing for Estilo Brasil’s final evening in 2025. The stage will now be at the disposal of Liniker, who will close the program on December 14 with the CAJU Tour’s final show of the year, a highly anticipated presentation that promises to cap off the festival with the energy and celebration that marked the historic season – both for the festival and for the artist.
Brazilian style festival
Location: Ulysse conference center
Tickets: Digital ticketing
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