Coala Festival Portugal returns to Cascais for its third edition and has just revealed the first names on the line-up. The festival once again crosses the Atlantic on 30 and 31 May 2026, setting up once more at the Manuel Possolo Hippodrome. Among the first announcements are Slow J, one of the most influential voices in Portuguese hip hop; Bonga, a key figure in Angolan music and one of the great ambassadors of semba; and Lulu Santos, a fundamental name in the history of Brazilian pop-rock.
The Portuguese rapper brings Afro Fado to the festival, one of the most striking albums in recent Portuguese music, in which he blends hip hop with references to the country’s musical tradition, alongside a direct reflection on identity, belonging and social issues. Slow J has been steadily establishing himself as a central voice of his generation, with carefully crafted lyrics and an artistic approach that goes beyond the genre’s conventional framework, winning over both audiences and critics alike.
In no need of introductions, Bonga remains an essential figure in African music in the Portuguese language. With a career spanning more than 40 albums, the Angolan musician has built a path deeply connected to political struggle, cultural affirmation and the preservation of semba’s roots. At 83, he continues to stand as a living symbol of protest song and Angola’s musical memory, influencing successive generations of artists.
Lulu Santos, who completes this first wave of line-up announcements, boasts a career spanning several decades and helped define Brazilian pop-rock from the 1980s onwards. A singer, songwriter and guitarist, he was instrumental in popularising an accessible yet innovative sound, with albums such as Tempos Modernos (1982), which left a decisive mark on Brazilian popular music.
Manuel Possolo Hippodrome, Av. da República 371 (Cascais). 30–31 May, Sat–Sun. €70–€140
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