After Madonna’s show in Copacabana, another event will move Rio on Sunday: the Soweto 30th anniversary tour, with Belo back on vocals, at Praça da Apoteose. The group would perform two shows in the city, on the 4th and 5th, but had to cancel the first date following guidance from public authorities. The only performance in Rio will bring together thousands of fans of the group, which also includes Claudinho, Crisevertom and Dado Olliveira.
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— For us, the cancellation of the first day was a surprise, but it was a technical issue. There would be no police contingent for the two events on Saturday — details Claudinho, who adds: — Madonna is loved all over the world, a great artist. I would definitely go to the show, but I’m going to work in São Paulo.
If the Queen of Pop gathers a crowd, Soweto fans are also excited. At Allianz Parque, in São Paulo, the group attracted 50 thousand people one day and 45 thousand the next. All because the pagode of the 90s left a mark on the history of Brazilian music, and they were one of the protagonists of this movement. Belo highlights the happiness in seeing the group reinvent itself:
— Soweto is a landmark in Brazilian music, one of the main and most symbolic groups in the pagode, marking generations. Over these 30 years, many things have changed, the music has undergone updates, but we have ensured that the public remains connected with the songs, even as time passes. This is exciting and special.
It was precisely when singing “Reinventar” that the singer, recently separated from Gracyanne Barbosa, became emotional and moved to tears at Allianz Parque. The scene resonated and moved both the public and the other members.
— Sometimes I listen to myself to remember some things and I get emotional. Nobody is made of iron. I believe in love and I will continue to believe. He’s the one who moves me and it will always be like that – says the singer.
Claudinho remembers that the moment Belo cried was memorable for the group:
— He is going through a moment of strong emotion and managed to demonstrate this in the music. Belo is a great interpreter, but with this ”Q” in addition, he touched people and us even more. You can’t help but get emotional.
Denilson complains about the pagodeiro’s debt
Claudinho lists other great moments from the show:
— The energy that “Derê” has is impressive. When we play “Time to Learn” and “World of Oz” it’s also cool.
From the East Zone of São Paulo, the group played for ten years in bars until they got their first opportunity to record an album. Success arrived, but soon came the first blow: the death of Robson Buiú, one of the vocalists. Belo then took over the vocals, a position he remained in until 2000, when he left the group to pursue a solo career.
— Buiú was one of the founders of Soweto. When we thought about giving up, he wouldn’t let us. If Soweto is a reality today, we owe a lot to him, who left just when we managed to join a major record label, after all that suffering. And Belo’s departure was the biggest challenge. Soweto was a family, and we respected his decision, but leaving always hurts. But the show must go on. And that’s why this reunion with him has a power. It was an opportunity that we could never miss — says Claudinho, who, after all this, claims to have a feeling of mission accomplished: — Today, when we look at the size of the The audience that Soweto has, ranging from grandpa to grandson enjoying together, we feel fulfilled. It was even a little beyond our expectations
