The festival venue opened at 3:30 PM, and the first attendees rushed to secure the front-row spots, sometimes dropping items like shirts and phones along the way without looking back.
Gradually, thousands more arrived throughout the afternoon, filling the space to its sold-out capacity.
An observation of the scene revealed a majority of women in attendance, particularly teenagers.
Groups of various sizes arrived together, occasionally accompanied by parents or relatives. Many were dressed in Olivia Rodrigo-themed attire, wearing t-shirts, photos of the singer, skirts, shorts, and sparkling pants, along with sneakers or cowboy boots.
Mariana and Sofia Almeida, both 15, were newcomers to the festival scene and expressed their excitement to see Olivia Rodrigo live, with Sofia also eager to watch Benson Boone perform.
Their first impressions of the venue were positive, with Sofia noting, “It’s good to have food, drinks, and bathrooms, and we saw there are places to charge phones,” a necessity to endure until 11:15 PM when the American singer is scheduled to take the main stage.
In contrast, Leonor and Carolina, also 15, and Íris, 16, attended the festival without adult supervision. Convincing their parents was straightforward since the tickets were birthday gifts to them, as shared with Lusa.
Leonor and Carolina had attended another festival last year, but for Íris, it was her first time. “I come very open to the experience to see how it turns out,” she remarked to Lusa.
Today, their primary focus is Olivia Rodrigo, “but also the others,” particularly Benson Boone. Carolina and Íris plan to return on Saturday for Muse.
Until Olivia Rodrigo takes the stage, they will enjoy the food and the freebies offered by various vendors.
Lines at brand booths are commonplace at major music festivals, and Alive is no exception. Many take advantage of this time before their preferred artists perform.
Additionally, selfies and model-like poses against the festival’s graphic walls are a popular activity.
At one such wall, a mother and daughter duo, Rosa, 55, and Beatriz, 18, from Porto, were spotted. They shared with Lusa that they decided to make the trip and experience Alive because of Olivia Rodrigo. Until then, they plan “to see everything and enjoy the other concerts.”
The mother was easily persuaded by her daughter. “She wanted to come, so I came with her,” Rosa said. “She gave me the ticket as a birthday gift,” Beatriz added.
Another parent easily convinced was Luís Lamas, 47. He, along with his daughter Teresa, 11, are “crazy about Olivia Rodrigo,” according to him.
Teresa shared with Lusa that she’s been listening to the American singer for about two years and is looking forward not only to the concert but also to meeting some friends at the venue.
“I want to see Benson Boone, but we’ll listen to everything, wander around, and have fun. [Teresa] is at an age where she can start doing these things,” Luís mentioned.
The NOS Alive venue features seven stages, hosting 122 performances from 112 artists and bands, including 31 Portuguese acts, between today and Saturday.
Todays’ spotlight is on the American singer Olivia Rodrigo, aged 22, who has released two albums: “Sour” (2021) and “Guts” (2023).
At the end of June, she concluded the British Glastonbury Festival with one of the most praised performances this year, featuring Robert Smith from The Cure as a guest.
In addition to Olivia Rodrigo, the main stage at NOS Alive will also host Mark Hambor, Benson Boone, and Noah Kahan today.
The second stage lineup includes Gree Leather, Bad Nerves, Artemas, Barry Can’t Swim, Glass Animals, Parov Stelar, and Nathy Peluso.
Artists and bands such as Girls 96, Baleia Baleia Baleia, Pedro Moutinho, Diogo Clemente, Mónica Vale de Gato, Guilherme Duarte, and Shakra will perform across the Clubbing, Coreto, Fado Café, Comédia, and Pórtico stages.
On Friday, the highlight is American DJ Anyma. That day also features performances from Justice, The Wombats, Girl in Red, Finneas, St. Vincent, Capicua, Mother Mother, Mike11, Herlander, Zarco, Luísa Amaro, Luís Franco Bastos, and Guilherme Fonseca, among others.
Saturday’s lineup includes Muse, Nine Inch Nails, Future Islands, Foster The People, Bright Eyes, Jet, A-Trak, Left., Bombazine, Luís Severo, Teresinha Landeiro, Cebola Mol, Jel, and Ana Arrebentinha, among others.
The venue, opening daily at 3:00 PM and closing at 4:00 AM the following day, can accommodate up to 56,000 people, in addition to the 6,000 staff and journalists working there.
