After 15 Years, Brazilian Supergroup Tribalistas Embarks on Its First Tour

Brazil's Tribalistas released their self-titled debut album in 2002. It garnered worldwide recognition and a Latin Grammy for Best Pop Album in Portuguese. Due to the busy schedules of the three artists, each managing a successful solo music career, there were no shows, tours, or even interviews following the release of their first album. More than 15 years later and a huge surprise to fans, the band reunited to issue its second album last August and has finally embarked on a long-awaited tour. In a rare occurrence, Tribalistas will perform two nights — Friday, February 8, and Saturday, February 9 — one of which is already sold out, at the Fillmore Miami Beach.

"Being with them on a daily basis — traveling by bus, by plane, [and] sharing the stage with them — makes me stronger," Marisa Monte says of her experiences on tour with Carlinhos Brown and Arnaldo Antunes. "We are aware that touring together is a rare opportunity, a privilege, for us and for the audience." The three have kept busy throughout their solo careers, but their desire to continue the project they left behind 15 years ago never waned.  

The bandmates share a deep connection through their music, which fans can finally experience live. Each artist specializes in a genre, from reggae to bossa nova to pop rock, which together form the group's unique sound. "There is a chemistry, a lot of respect, mutual admiration, and an intimacy that has grown throughout all these years," Monte says.
Their most recent album, Tribalistas, which shares the title of their debut, is a huge hit beyond Brazil, including in Europe and the United States. Similar to their first album, the new release contains lyrics that address worldwide issues. The messages aren't meant to be politically driven; they're simply an awareness that's resulted from three friends and individuals creating music together.

Brown explains the name of the trio stems from "the idea of tribalization and the power of the encounter, not an ethnic group separating itself around supremacy or difference — 'Tribalistas' because all tribes here converge on the message of love and peace." In fact, Brown prefers to refer to himself, Monte, and Antunes as "individuals in search of a collective desire to create music" instead of as a band.

Although more than a decade and a half had passed since their first collaboration, Tribalistas' energy onstage and in the studio would make any listener believe they've been playing music together their entire lives. Fans hope it won't take another 15 years for their next album to be released — and it seems the three have plans to continue working together after the tour. "There are some songs that were left out of this album and even from the first one that have never been released," Brown says. "I believe it would be the closing of a trilogy."

Tribalistas. 8 p.m. Friday, February 8, and Saturday, February 9, at Fillmore Miami Beach, 1700 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 305-673-7300; fillmoremb.com. Tickets cost $48 to $98 via livenation.com.