Espaço Favela: the trajectory and impact of the stage at Rock in Rio

Espaço Favela reaches its 4th edition of Rock in Rio as one of the most popular attractions in the City of Rock. And it was born from a “trance” by Roberto Medina, according to his friend Zé Ricardo.

The stage was created to give visibility to artists from the outskirts and, since its debut, it has attracted large audiences — so much so that it is considered one of the most important in the entire Rock City.

The idea was born shortly after Rock in Rio in 2017, during a conversation between Zé Ricardo, artistic vice-president of Rock World, and the festival's founder, Roberto Medina.

According to Zé Ricardo, they were discussing ways to increase the presence of favela artists at the event when Medina had the idea of ​​creating a space inspired by these territories.

"He went into a trance and said: 'I know! I'm going to make a stage in the shape of a favela. I'm going to bring artists from the favela and reinforce their talent!'", he said.

The project got off the ground at Rock in Rio in 2019. The theater group Nós do Morro debuted the scenario.

For Zé Ricardo, Espaço Favela's main mission is to reveal talent and bring them closer to the music market.

“I try to bring artists who are more prepared to be absorbed by the market,” he said.

It is 75 meters wide and 13 meters high, with 60 scenic houses and elements that refer to the daily life of the communities, such as hanging clothes, water tanks and even figures of dogs and cats.

“We saw all the shows from the 1st edition sold out and said: ‘It worked!’. People really understood. They embraced the project”, said Zé Ricardo.

Among the newcomers in this edition is trap singer Caio Luccas, from Belford Roxo, in Baixada Fluminense. The artist says he experiences days of anxiety before the performance.

"When I received the invitation, I was with my mother and my daughter. I said: 'Mom, I'm going to be at Rock in Rio'. My mother started shouting: 'Glory to God!'", he recalled.

Another newcomer is singer Suel, from Nova Iguaçu, who has had a career at the pagode for more than 20 years. "Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine being here. I'm a peripheral artist, an artist of the people. This has a very big representation for me," he stated.

Suel said he intends to take to the stage songs that marked his career and classified the show as a gift for him and his fans.

The pagoda will also be represented by Belo, ambassador of Espaço Favela, as well as Mart’nália and Marvvila, who returns to the stage after performing in the 2022 edition.

“Returning to this moment in my career, with more original songs and projects released, makes me very honored and happy,” said Marvvila.

The singer also stated that being at Rock in Rio shows that artists from the periphery can also reach big stages. "For a long time I thought there was no way to get far. Being here today is showing these people that yes, there is a way."