THE EXPLOITED
(Punk - SCO)
THE ADICTS
(Punk - UK)

One of the most fun and unique concerts I have ever had a chance to visit / photograph and I seen them quite a few in the past 10 years. My first time to experience The Adicts live mayhem and I must say I'm more than impressed. Many younger bands are burned out after 40 mins show but they played 1h 30min set and didn't stop the energy flow for a second. I think words can't describe the intensity of their live energy and performance. All their stage props, humor and good vibes grabs you by your legs and the whole club was moving in their classic tunes. Try to get the idea of their live show with some of the photos below, but I think the only option is to catch them live!
The Exploited returned to the place where Wattie had a heart attack a few years ago and was saved by Portuguese doctors. Judging by his words and the heat in the club it wasn't a easy ride this time either! But he and his boys nailed it and delivered their blend of punk and crossover thrash tunes. Played all the classics and towards the end of the set crowd invaded the stage and helped with the cult "Sex and Violence". Really awesome night in Lisbon!

27.05.2015, Republica da Musica, Lisboa
Photos, words & video by: Jaka Čurlič

Forever young!
An really awesome Sunday afternoon festival in the middle of sunny Caldas Da Rainha with 6 Portuguese bands and two guest bands from the UK.
At 3 pm the sound pierced the calm afternoon for the first time as sXe hardcore gang xAIMx from Lisbon screamed out their first message about veganism and straight edge way of living. Band plays a nice mixture of very emotional guitars riffs, tempo changing from fast to slow and aggressive straight to the point vocals. Next ones were their fellow citizens Selfish who delivered more punk rock vibes with really killer and awesome sounding bass guitar. The crowd started a little slowly and even the locals Nasty World had some troubles to warm them up at the beginning, but by the end of the set everybody in room joined forces for the anti racism anthem "This Can't Be Real". Next ones were 74 who delivered a local raw punk vibe to the fest and brought with them a few friends who made sure nobody in the club was standing still. Challenge celebrated a release of their new CD called "CRHC" and they did it well. With the face expression ready to command and kill on Edgar's face, there was no excuse for the ones gathered in the club not to move and sing along with the band. I think they technically played one of the most smooth sets since I first seen them arriving in Portugal. Especially drums were really heavy and tight (thumbs up also for the updated audio system).
After the short break it was time for the UK sXe hardcore gangs Insist and Survival to tear up the place apart. As it turned down the crowd was really hungry for the UK acts and created a total mayhem in the club. Fast, short and straight to the point with a lot of the energy from both of the vocalists, despite other members being little bit more static they created a really nice flow of energy and aggression. As the sayings says "leave best for the last" Portuguese act For The Glory hit the place with their metallic version of Hardcore. If the crowd in Lisbon only four days ago, when I was photographing them supporting Sick Of It All, was a little static the crowd on Dirty Crown festival was the total opposite. From kids singing the lyrics to older members of the crowd getting into the mood for crowd surfing and moshing there was chaos! Big smiles for the older generation who got involved in the action and positive vibe from the band to the crowd and vice versa resulted in the perfect closing of the third edition of Dirty Crown festival.
The only let down was the absence of some members of the local crowd, but those who came came with the big heart and left with even bigger smile on their faces. Congrats to the Dirty Crown booking guys for building such a cool festival and community and keep the flame burning!

19.04.2015, Parque, Caldas Da Rainha
Photos & words by: Jaka Čurlič

SICK OF IT ALL
(Hardcore - USA)
ANGEL DU$T
(Punk Rock - USA)
FOR THE GLORY
(Hardcore - PT)

After a few months in Portugal it was time to capture a bigger, international Hardcore event. After arriving a little bit later to the venue and missing the first band, For The Glory were tearing up the stage with really impressive sound, specially the drums and basses were devastating. Good energy and vibe on stage, but unfortunately the (home) crowd was pretty static, except a few people giving back the energy to the band. After quite a long break it was time for Angel Du$t and their mixture of Punk Rock and Hardcore, kicking in with their single "Stepping Stone". They brought a good energy on stage and after a couple of songs the crowd started to warm up, few fast songs and good speeches later and they were finishing their set with a cover or two and got a good reaction from the crowd. Following a short break the "Surfin' Bird" blasted through the speakers and it was time for the Hardcore legends Sick of it all to hit the stage. The crowd started everything a little bit slowly but after a few speeches about ballads and Punk Rock energy delivered by Lou Koller the thing started moving and the energy was bursting through the venue. The bend delivered all the classics and a few new pit anthems from their latest opus "The Last Act Of The Defiance". The things almost got too hot at the end when the fan jumped on Lou and knocked him face first to the crowd but the singer (after initial shock) took it really professional and cool (him and the fan also talked things through on Facebook after the concert). An awesome night full of positive vibes, big smiles and great singalongs!

15.04.2015, Republica da Musica, Lisboa
Photos,words & video by: Jaka Čurlič

Danny Trejo
(Hardcore/Punk - ITA)
The Skrotes
(Fastcore/hardcore - PT)
Selfish
(Punk Rock/Hardcore - PT)

Photo essay from amazing night with Danny Trejo, The Skrotes and Selfish!
Awesome night filled with crowd surfing, mosh pits, wall to wall and most important positive energy & passion! One of the reason I love this scene/town so much! Props to Six Pack Bookings/ Laranjeira bookings for bringing Danny Trejo to Portugal and surviving partying with them! Feel free to share/tag the photos!
Jaka Čurlič