The Coliseu Club, the intimate venue at the Coliseu dos Recreios, continues to present fantastic concerts, and Mick Harvey with Mazgani was an unforgettable one.
The small venue, actually the Coliseu’s bar, hosted Mick Harvey and Mazgani, their first concert together on stage, despite having previously collaborated on the album Common Ground (2013). Amanda Acevedo, who had been announced, unfortunately, couldn’t be present. The first half was taken over by the talented Hugo Negrelli.
Mick Harvey
Mick performed from his acclaimed duets album Phantasmagoria in Blue, his most recent Golden Mirrors (a tribute to the legacy of the enigmatic Jackson C. Frank), and also Harvey’s latest solo album, Five Ways to Say Goodbye.
Mick Harvey (born August 29, 1958) is an Australian musician, songwriter, and producer. Hailed as a pivotal figure in Australian post-punk and alternative rock, particularly for his long and influential collaboration with Nick Cave.
Harvey’s partnership with Nick Cave is one of the most important in rock music:
The Birthday Party (1977–1983): Harvey was a founding member and played guitar, helping define the band’s chaotic and innovative sound.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (1983–2009): He was a founding member and a key player in the band for 25 years. His versatility allowed him to play guitar, drums, bass, keyboards, and act as Cave’s right-hand man. His work was crucial in defining the Bad Seeds’ atmospheric and dark sound. Harvey left the band in 2009.
In addition to his work with Nick Cave, Mick Harvey has developed a multifaceted career, releasing several solo albums, demonstrating his skill as a songwriter and vocalist. He has produced albums for several artists, including PJ Harvey (with whom he also performed extensively), Anita Lane, and Robert Forster.
He has translated and performed songs by French musician Serge Gainsbourg, releasing four albums dedicated to this work. He is a sought-after composer for soundtracks, having worked on films such as Ghosts of the Civil Dead and To Have and to Hold.
An exceptionally versatile musician and vital collaborator, his work has influenced countless artists and projects over four decades.
Mazgani
Mazgani (stage name of Mazgani Shahmorad-Nejad, born in Iran in 1974) is a Portuguese singer and songwriter. He arrived in Portugal at the age of six and has established himself as one of the most unique and acclaimed names in Portuguese rock and alternative music.
His dark, poetic, and melancholic style is often compared to artists like Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave, so the collaboration between him and Mick Harvey couldn’t have been better.
His profound songs, usually in English, about love, loss, religion, and existentialism, are anthems of international music. His career received a significant boost with the release of his debut album, Catharsis (2007), which was critically acclaimed. Since then, he has cemented his reputation as a cult artist and talented lyricist.
Mazgani has built a solid and coherent discography. His most notable albums include Song of the New Heart (2009), Common Ground (2013), The Poet’s Death (2015), and Lifeboat (2019). In 2024, he released Cidade de Cinema, his most recent work, the first entirely written and sung in Portuguese. Mazgani continues to establish himself as one of the most consistent and creative songwriters in contemporary Portuguese music.
Also on stage were Pedro Branco (guitars), Isaac Achega (drums), Vitor Rodrigues (bass), and musician Georgio Valentino (guitar and keys), as well as a small string section.
A vibrant and beautiful evening, full of poetry and music to savour.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to access exclusive content tailored for each social network.
