Sounds of Cabo Verde

Combining traditional and contemporary sounds, Sounds of Cabo Verde brings together internationally renowned legendary artists with local acts and a new generation of musicians. 

The lineup includes the celebrated group Ferro Gaita, who brings the rich history of funaná to life—a genre that emerged from an environment of poverty, hidden revolt and protest, and became the voice of the working class; Nancy Vieira, who, with her beautiful mix of Cabo Verdean musical tradition and contemporary sensibility, is one of the island's most expressive and representative voices; Grupo Pilon, one of the longest-running funaná bands outside of Cabo Verde, who celebrate music, migration, memory and cultural transmission; Acácia Maior, a collective led by Henrique Silva and Luís Firmino, opening a portal of constant transformation within the musician's ensemble; Sima nos é só nos, a Rotterdam-based cultural group that brings the soul of Cabo Verde to life through batuku—the archipelago's oldest and most classical style of music and dance; Tamboreiras de Rotterdam, the first Cabo Verdean all-female drumming group from Rotterdam, who perform powerful rhythms that celebrate the islands' rich and cultural heritage; a DJ set by MF Andrade, co-founder of FAROFFA, who takes his audience on a musical journey through various genres, cultures and eras, creating a unique blend of energy, rhythm and storytelling; and the founders of Tabanka Records, Frequência Tabanka—Mama Demba, a true archaeologist of Lusophone music, and Henrique Silva, a multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer—present a DJ set that centers on connection, community and celebration through music.

Tune in to our Sounds of Cabo Verde playlist:

During this event, FAROFFA will be serving Cachupa—a national dish of Cabo Verde which beautifully reflects the country's history, culture and resourcefulness. A slow-cooked, hearty stew made primarily from corn and beans, Cachupa is a symbol of Cabo Verdean identity, shaped by centuries of trade, migration and adaptation to limited natural resources on the islands.

Read more about the artists performing at Sounds of Cabo Verde via leguesswho.com/lineup. This program can be visited with a Saturday Pass and 4-Day Pass.

Sound & Culture Summit

During the Sound & Culture Summit on Friday 6 November, we'll host a panel discussion exploring the role of diasporas in preserving, shaping and promoting traditional music and other forms of intangible cultural heritage across different countries and cultural contexts, including Cabo Verde. What kinds of conversations take place between people in the diaspora and their motherland? Who carries on the culture, who receives recognition and who is compensated or rewarded for it?

COSMOS

COSMOS, Le Guess Who?’s hybrid platform that highlights independent music scenes from around the world, collaborates with Tabanka Records in 2026 to produce a short documentary about Cabo Verde’s music scene, which will premiere during the festival on Saturday, 7 November, at Slachtstraat Filmtheater. This screening will be introduced by the members of Tabanka Records themselves.