Concertos em Cadeia #09: Lollipots & Sense May

Rock

Porto

Hailing from the unpredictable streets of Porto, Lollipots emerged in 2019 with a mission to rescue the raw and unpretentious energy of rock. João Castro, Filipe Ferreira, and Pedro Marques created a sound that is both nostalgic and contemporary, mixing influences ranging from punk to the decadent rock of the 90s, in a fusion as unlikely as Idles with Nelly Furtado or Tina Turner with Sepultura. On stage, the band transforms this identity into an outburst of vitality, marked by intense performances where the only goal is to leave everything on stage.

With their debut EP Burning Bridges, Lollipots won over Portuguese audiences and gained international acclaim, with radio airplay in Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Spain, reaffirming that rock is alive and kicking in Portugal. The new single, Mankind, was mastered by Alain Johannes—known for his work with Queens of the Stone Age, Chris Cornell, and Arctic Monkeys—further enhancing the band’s sound. That’s Lollipots: simple, no frills.

Bandcamp / Instagram

Grunge / Emo

Porto

Formed in 2024 in the city of Porto, Sense May is a quartet that blends elements of grunge, garage rock, and emo with a nostalgic 90s aesthetic. With introspective lyrics, the songs address both emotional issues and political criticism, while the combination of aggressive guitars and melodic vocals creates a unique sound.

Sense May also seek to stand out for their energy and ability to convey profound messages through their compositions, as well as for the punk energy inherited from their members’ previous experiences. The band has just released their debut EP, self-titled Sense May, an album whose main theme, in the lyrics, is the challenges and doubts of adult life, the contradictions of living far from home, bureaucracy related to immigration, and the importance of maintaining self-confidence to move forward.

Linktree / Spotify