Milhões de Festa
Set in the heart of Barcelos, Portugal, the festival offered a unique experience: starting in a swimming pool at noon and ending at sunrise by the river, with two stages ping-ponging between sets. It created a laid-back yet adventurous atmosphere that drew music lovers from across Europe — where it might not make any logical or financial sense to mix Afrobeat with grindcore, acid house, big band cumbia or progressive rock, but it simply worked. Milhões earned a reputation as one of Europe’s most enjoyable and nourishing festivals — a sentiment echoed in praise from The Quietus, The Guardian and other cultural voices that event considered it one of the best in Europe.
This eclectic spirit was reflected in its visual identity: the logo, with inverted triangles, was inspired by traditional flag decorations from Portuguese summer festivities. Combined with gothic lettering, it captured the festival’s ethos: a celebration of contrast, where pop and hardcore could coexist. The result was a raw, layered and playful graphic language.
From its inception in Barcelos in 2010 until 2016, I was part of the core team, working across creative, art and communications direction, as well as copywriting, social media and artistic curation. I helped shape a cult festival that pushed boundaries, built community and redefined what a lineup could be. Contributing to such a culturally rich event remains one of the highlights of my professional journey.