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There is also a side to Fado other than the professional shows mostly organised by dedicated Fado restaurants. Fado Vadio literally translates as bohemian, vagabond or loafer Fado and is used to describe Fado sung more to express emotions than for commercial ends. Mostly performed by amateurs, you might also hear a professional in his or her free time.
Prepare yourself for some raw emotions and varying levels of talent. You might hear some false notes now and then but you might also get goosebumps when an unassuming looking woman suddenly reveals herself to be singing the language of your emotion, you perhaps not understanding any of the words but understanding the song exactly. And even the less touching performances are usually entertaining, sometimes even hilarious.
Sung by the people and for the people, you might hear a cook, lawyer, businessperson or rubbish collector. The truth is that many Portuguese fancy themselves as an undiscovered Amália or even if they don’t, can’t resist singing fado. There is a large subgroup of Portuguese who roam the traditional areas in search of tascas and bars where they can burst into song.
This is neither a singing competition nor karaoke, but mostly a sincere desire to evoke, express and share emotions. And among the singers you may find some real gems, and even the Fado stars of tomorrow, as this is how most of the stars of the past and the present learned their trade. The tascas and bars of Alfama are where you are most likely to hear Fado Vadio.
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