Representing a nostalgic journey, a “Pop-Up Store” with free entry offers a “sensory recreation of the uninhabited house in Leiria loaned to the band early in their career for rehearsals,” as detailed in a statement from the band’s management released today.
The exhibition features items like the demo tape that Silence 4 presented to record labels in 1996, “a powerful symbol of the band’s initial spirit and daring”, along with handwritten scores and unpublished photographs from the musicians’ personal collection.
Moreover, two documentaries are shown on a 1990s television: “Silence 4 – The Early Days” by Filipe Cunha Monteiro, and “Silence 4 – Especial” by Paulo Resende.
Until December 14, the venue will host “special events for fans and surprise performances, details of which will be announced soon.”
Functioning beyond exhibition, the “Pop-Up Store” also serves as the band’s official shop, selling merchandise and reissues on vinyl of the sold-out albums “Silence Becomes It” (1998) and “Only Pain Is Real” (2000).
The “Pop-Up Store” can be visited at Level One of Lx Factory until December 14, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Silence 4 begins a series of four consecutive, sold-out concerts today at the Super Bock Arena – Pavilhão Rosa Mota, in Porto. On December 12 and 13, they will perform at MEO Arena, in Lisbon.
The return of the Leiria-based band to the stage has generated high public interest, evident by the sold-out performances of three concerts in June in their hometown.
Silence 4, formed in 1995, includes David Fonseca (vocals and guitar), Tozé Pedrosa (drums), Sofia Lisboa (vocals), and Rui Costa (guitar and bass).
The band’s debut album, “Silence Becomes It,” was released in 1998, followed two years later by their second album, “Only Pain Is Real,” recorded in London.
The band’s major hits include tracks like “Borrow,” “My Friends,” “To Give,” and “Only Pain Is Real,” along with an acoustic cover of Erasure’s “A Little Respect,” which boosted the band’s prominence in the 1990s.
Shortly after two concerts at the coliseums in Lisbon and Porto in 2001, which resulted in a CD and DVD release, the group announced a hiatus, citing exhaustion.
In 2003, bassist Rui Costa left the band, and David Fonseca embarked on a solo career with his debut original album, “Sing Me Something New.”
Sofia Lisboa participated in various musical projects, like Ellas with Raquel Ralha, while drummer Tozé Pedrosa focused on teaching. In recent years, Rui Costa has been involved with projects like Filarmónica Gil, A Caruma, and Companhia do Canto Popular.
This year’s return marks Silence 4’s second reunion: in 2014, after over a decade away, they held a series of five performances. This occasion commemorated Sofia Lisboa’s recovery from leukemia and celebrated their past successes.
