2017 Madeira Feast Missing Portuguese Musical Roots [OPINION]

A Portuguese Feast without Portuguese music is borderline blasphemy.

Allow me to address the "elephant" in the room... the Feast seemed a bit un-authentic this year. Where in the world was the Portuguese music? Not in New Bedford, that's for sure.

I guess I should have expected this, considering the entertainment line-up was released well in advance. Unfortunately though, there were no Portuguese acts...and Portuguese music has always been a part of a traditional Portuguese Feast.

Before anyone asks if I'm Portuguese myself, the answer is yes. I'm proud of my heritage. Second question - do I understand Portuguese Folklore? Absolutely not and that's the truth, but why should that stop me from enjoying the music? Music is an important crutch of history, regardless of the background. It tells a story and paints a picture of the heritage. Therefore, without traditional Portuguese music at a Portuguese Feast, there's nothing but booze and American bands.

Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the acts that played this year. My point is simply this.... I would have liked to seen/listened to a few Portuguese acts such as Starlight or Nelia (she was incredible last year!).

Here's a list of the acts and bands who DID play and tell me if they are a representation of Portuguese culture:

• Spin Doctors
• The Freeze Pops (and no... not cold bread)
• Life Got Busy
• Adam Lufkin Band
• Rebecca Correia
• Butch McCarthy and the Gents
• Whiskey Affair
• Sorry for Lions
• Red Handed
• Grace Morrison
• Butch McCarthy
• The Concept
• Toe Jam Puppet Band
• Northshoremen Barbershop
• 7 Day Weekend
• The Essex County 4
• Phil DaRosa Band
• Holy Cow
• Whiskey Affliction
• LIKK
• Raven Cliff
• Second Wind
• Moldy Suitcases
• Taylor Cormier (Frank Sinatra Cover Singer)

........and on and on and on, you get the point.

Again, NOTHING wrong with these acts listed above, just proving the point that there's no Portuguese music.

For example, here are 5 people/bands I would have loved to see:

1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

5.)

My last and final thoughts for future Feasts are that I hope more Portuguese acts are considered (regardless if they have played in the past or not, still better than nothing). I hope that the Committee takes the factor of heritage over dollar signs and that as a fan of the Feast who goes yearly, looking forward to the entertainment, delicious food and spirits, I'm only speaking on behalf of myself as well as many others with the similar opinion. If there's no Fado, there's no Festa.

Viva Portugal!