We are booking bands now – so watch this space.
The general timetable is:
Friday and Saturday – acoustic and light rock acts kick-off at the Praia Fluvial Beach Bar and play until dark.
Around sunset, our piper Andrew, will then lead a procession from the beach to the river and the larger Cais stage a selection of acts that play into the small hours.
Sunday – no scheduled performances. This is the day for relaxed jamming at the Beach Bar. Meet the musicians, or be one.
Quem é o Bob?
Starting as a tribute to Bob Marley and his band The Wailers and today they will rock the venue!
With almost 20 years of existence, they are a multicultural and multiracial band and share a message of hope, awareness and struggle .
Rootstock
Radio Rock
Margem Do Rio
Joao Simoes and a collection of local and international musicians that the river has delivered, practice regularly to play for local events. Margem do Rio performs an eclectic mix of pop, rock, and Portuguese popular classics. This is a must-see band that is always popular in the Alcoutim music scene.
Karin Klebe
Songs of Love, Loss and Louis
Two years ago my love Louis died. I’d like to honour him with this short tribute by singing his favourite Dutch songs, some Portuguese songs about love and loss and some songs in English.
Músicas de Amor, Perda en Louis
Dois anos atrás o meu amor Louis morreu. Eu gostaria lembra-lo com esta homenagem cantando as suas canções Holandesas favoritas, algumas canções Portuguesas sobre amor e perda e algumas canções em Inglês.
The Crooners
Chris and Kees decided to form a small jazz/swing duo and were then joined by Pieter to become a trio. All three have extensive experience in composing and musical arrangements and have played in various international bands. The Crooners are currently concentrating on The American Songbook for their performances.
Mars Flamingo
Mars Flamingo is a rock band from Huelva, formed by five musicians who share a deep passion for music and extensive experience in the scene, which has brought them together for this unique project. The band consists of Cliff on bass, Andrés on guitar, Antonio on violin and keyboard, Dani as the lead vocalist, and Fernando on drums.
Although Mars Flamingo is a relatively young band, its members are not new to music. All of them have been part of various bands throughout their careers, but nothing has been as exciting and meaningful as what they are building together now. They are currently working on their own compositions, preparing what will be their first original repertoire to present live.
In the meantime, they have a solid repertoire of contemporary rock covers that they perform at their shows. Mars Flamingo is ready to make their mark in Alcoutim and deliver as only they know how.
Lefty Wright
With over a decade of sailing and playing music in every port, Colin Wright is very much the troubadour sailor.
This festival he returns to the Guadiana to regale us with his own brand of ‘Irish and Americana Acoustic Alchemy’
James Gillespie
James Gillespie was born in Scotland, Glasgow and from his early years was devoted to music, especially acoustic music, Dylan and Neil Young being just two whose music led him to purchase a Fender acoustic guitar.
James took to gigging late in life, nevertheless he was very busy within the entertainment industry in its other forms.
In the early seventies he moved to the Isle of Man, famous for its TT races. Originally more a manager of music venues James looked after
all aspects of the live entertainment which took to its stage. Including Chuck Berry, 10cc, The Rolling Stones, Tom Jones, Mott the Hopple, Thin Lizzy, Status Quo, Pink Floyd, Hot Chocolate, Sweet, Lulu, Slade, T Rex, Billy Connolly etc, the list goes on.
James decided to step back from the operation of nightclubs, to a slower pace of music and travel and turned to live music. The fender guitar he bought many years ago now came to fruition, and James took to the stage, and since that date has travelled gigging mostly in Ireland the UK, and Europe mostly covering his favourite acoustic performers and putting his own mark on their songs.
As he said, ” it was great watching, and dealing with all those great bands/artists in the past, however l always had a longing to play live to an audience, and l got on with that, and that path has taken me to the Alcoutim Festival, and l look forward to my time there, it’s a lovely place.
Jules and Mikey
Mikey McDonnell and Jules Chambers are two seasoned musicians from Dublin who have both performed hundreds of live shows in both Ireland and Internationally. Mikey’s powerful blues rock vocal and Jules’s hard hitting beats make them a fantastic and exciting duo.
Mark Russell
Mark Russell is a Rock n Roll, Boogie Woogie Piano vocalist.
Performing classic Rock’n Roll inspired by “JERRY LEE LEWIS” “LITTLE RICHARD” “ELTON JOHN” ” BILLY JOEL”, Mark has had a Musical career spanning over 35 years, touring the uk, entertaining on cruise ships, song writing and music producing
Brian Jones
A very experienced performer with a strong presence on the independent folk scene. Brian often performs with Mice in a Matchbox to complement their sound and build a more comprehensive musical presence.
Mad Hatter
Mad Hatter is a World Music Fusion band inspired by Southwestern Iberia and Eire ancient civilizations, a reflection of many cultural influences and music genres such as: Blues, Rock, Jazz, Fusion, Celtic, Latin, Afro, Country and Ethnic.
The current Lineup are: Sílvio (Guitar and Vocals), Bruno Gonçalves ( Bass) and Nico Nicolau ( Drums ).
Despite currently being based in Algarve, this band was formed in Ireland in 2012, also spent several years in Canada.
Juke Joint Blues
Juke Joint Blues – Algarve originals
British rhythm and blues combo Juke Joint Blues are overjoyed to be back at Musica Guadiana for the third time running. This year the band, who live in the Algarve, had their debut album released: Rockin In The Sun is available on all major platforms – Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify – and there will be CDs on sale at Guadiana.
The songs, all original compositions, sit comfortably in the classic R’n’B groove, while adding a new twist to the genre. Lyrics are largely based on their experiences of living in the Algarve, such as 125 (Trying To Stay Alive), a wry reference to the accident-prone N125 main road running through the region, Steady Rollin’ Camper – a comment on the plethora of camper vans locally, not all of which conform to the legal norms – and Algarve August Blues, which they hope is self explanatory.
Juke Joint Blues are Andy Gray (vocals, harmonica, rhythm guitar) and Tim Holmes (lead guitar, slide guitar, backing vocals). They have honed their set of R&B classics and original songs at multiple bars and venues in western Algarve and always look forward to this trip out east. Catch them at the beach bar on Saturday.
Dirk Martin Luetzenkirchen
A talented multi-instrumental artist with musical expertise with; guitar, trumpet, saxophone, vocal, shakuhachi (Japanese flute) and percussion, Dirk brings a mixed act across multiple genres. Expect an entertaining session with multiple instruments and covering reggae, jazz, pop, folk and world music.
Jose e Sophia
This father and daughter duo are clear crowdpleasers with their minimalist approach to contemporary and traditional Portuguese songs.
Johnny Landon
A talented local musician performing a mix of Irish and Country songs.
Carola and Nika
Alcoutim’s very own sailing accordianista.
I love languages more than anything. But the most beautiful language that connects all of us humans on this earth is music!
Flamenco
Trovador do Guadiana
O “Trovador do Guadiana” is based on a musician’s original project connected to Alcoutim. Their themes are inspired by the Algarve of legends, visions, and enchanted moors. One of Troubadour’s aims is to give voice to poets and he looks in the lyrics for a sense and an objective for his music.
Our repertoire consists of original songs written by João, embellished by Teresa’s voice and enriched by Norberto’s exquisite sounds. Many of them were written and worked out in Alcoutim where we get our inspiration and “feel the dreams flying slowly…”
Roy Burnham
Roy is a familiar face in Alcoutim where he is a regular performer at the local Tuesday Music nights at Tá Se Bem (Beach Bar) and a regular at the festival. A performer with a mix of blues and old-time music, he is a great musician to join in with.
Robert Black
A stalwart of the festival since its first years, Robert is best known as the front man of Robert Black and The Journeyman, a popular local blues band.
Roberts own musical back ground is steeped folklore. He was a member the legendary electronic Circus that is “Mega-Dog” which had its 30th Anniversary in 2015.
Robert has toured the globe and has returned after a five year run of Mega-Dog performing at the Bearded Thorey spring gathering festival in the years 2017-2023.
A solid crowd pleaser with a local and international following.
Robert will bring us into the early hours with his Elvis tribute and the closing disco of 60s 70s 80s sounds.
Ruthie
Ruthie worked as a professional singer from 1987 to 2015 performing as a solo artist across the North West of England. She was part of the Max Bacon Band, doing backing vocals and lead singer and did two tours of Europe with the band. After taking a break to focus on family and teaching career, Ruthie returned to singing and now performs as lead singer in a trio band, singing a wide variety of covers from artists ranging from Bonnie Rait, Mylie Cyrus and Lady Gaga to name a few. Most recently she has been collaborating with the accomplished pianist Mark Russell and Ruthie looks forward to sharing a mix of songs at the festival.
Ruthie is the daughter of Tom Mair, from the sailing yacht El Viento, Tom played the harmonica at many music sessions in Alcoutim, and also at the festival. Sadly, Tom is no longer with us, but Ruthie continues the family musical tradition.
Andrew Manson
Andrew, a talented Scottish piper will pipe the procession from the beach bar stage to the river and the Cais stage where we party into the small hours.
