With a career spanning four decades, Grupo Pilon have crossed a century, a millenium, countless fashions, and are still here! The Funaná-pioneers from Luxembourg and Cabo Verde invite you to celebrate the release of their fifth album “Nu Sta Li” (We Are Here) in Grounds.

Grupo Pilon is a Cape Verdean band founded in the 80s, in the Gare district of Luxembourg City, by children of the first Cape Verdeans who came to settle in Luxembourg in the 70s. Their musical style Funaná, from the island of Santiago, is the music that was once banned during the time of the Portuguese colonists because of its rebellious spirit.

The new lp “Nu Sta Li” is an album that represents the compromise of Grupo Pilon with their culture. Through this album, the band pay tribute to their glorious elders who had known how to elevate their music to the level of excellence. During a long time, Funaná was only played by the peasants of Santiago using an accordion and an iron bar to beat out the rhythm with a knife. But Grupo Pilon, together with the band Bulimundo and their mentor Carlos Alberto Silva Martins alias ‘Katxas’, gave Funaná a new face by mixing the traditional Cape Verdean sounds with electronic instruments.

Their 40-year career made them play countless shows, such as a memorable gig in Praia, Cabo Verde in front of 4000 people, made them go on tour in the United States, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal and the United Kingdom and had them sign with New-York based label Ostinato Records. And now they are ready to make you dance at Grounds!

Supporting act: Tabanka

Tabanka is a fresh Cape Verdean group from Rotterdam, whose music has been inspired by that of Cape Verdean artists from an older generation, such as Code di Dona, Bulimundo, Américo Brito and of course Bitori. The group has an energizing and contemporary take on funaná: the upbeat, energetic and festive music and dance style, once forbidden by the Portuguese colonial rulers, that became part of post-independence Cape Verdean identity in the eighties.

Funaná was derived from the music from the descendants of slaves, mixed with contemporary pop and jazz. The base of the funaná are the diatonic accordion (gaita) and the rasping sound of the ferrinho, a notched metal bar played as a Caribbean guiro. If you are in for a party with a tropical twist, Tabanka guarantees you one.

Afterparty with Jaime

Jaime’s style is like an exhilarating journey through rhythmic landscapes, pulsating beats, and addictive grooves. He seamlessly blends traditional Cape Verdean music genres like Funana and Coladeira with advanced electronic components of contemporary Afrobeat. In addition, Jaime frequently ventures into Hip Hop, R&B, and 90’s Pop. With an eclectic mix of influences, Jaime brings a unique and immersive musical experience to every event.