Psychedelic, rebellious, and utterly groundbreaking, Os Mutantes are back on the road—and the world is paying attention.
This July and August, the legendary Brazilian band kicks off a highly anticipated international tour across the U.S. East Coast and Europe, including stops in Miami, New York, London, Amsterdam, and Dublin. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, this is more than a concert series—it’s a rare chance to witness a band that changed the trajectory of global rock music.
From São Paulo to the World
Formed in São Paulo in 1966, Os Mutantes emerged at the heart of Brazil’s Tropicália movement—a radical fusion of traditional Brazilian music, psychedelic rock, and political subversion. Alongside figures like Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil, the group created a sound that was both avant-garde and irresistibly fun, blending samba rhythms with distorted guitars, orchestral flourishes, and tongue-in-cheek lyricism.
The original lineup featured guitarist Sérgio Dias, bassist Arnaldo Baptista, and vocalist Rita Lee, whose voice and presence became a signature of the band’s early identity. Their first records, especially the self-titled Os Mutantes (1968) and A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado (1970), broke the mold of what Brazilian music could be. With influences ranging from The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix to classical and experimental composition, they created something wholly original—an audacious sonic playground that defied convention.
Rita Lee left the band in 1972 after an internal fallout, and the rupture was never reconciled. She passed away in May 2023, leaving behind a lasting legacy both as a solo artist and as the iconic voice of Os Mutantes’ most groundbreaking era.
Global Reverberations
Though initially underappreciated outside Brazil, Os Mutantes’ influence has grown steadily over the decades. Beck honored them in his song “Tropicália”; David Byrne reissued their albums on his Luaka Bop label; and Kurt Cobain once begged them to reunite. Artists as diverse as Flea, Kevin Barnes (Of Montreal), and Sean Lennon have all acknowledged the band’s impact.
This isn’t nostalgia. It’s legacy.
Even after the departure of original vocalist Rita Lee and years of dormancy, founding member Sérgio Dias reignited the flame in the 2000s, bringing in a new lineup and taking the stage at iconic venues like London’s Barbican and major festivals such as Glastonbury. Albums like Haih Or Amortecedor (2009) and their work on Red Hot + Rio 2 proved that Os Mutantes were not just a historical artifact—they were still pushing boundaries.
The 2024 Tour: A Global Celebration
Now, with Sérgio Dias still leading the charge and Carly Bryant infusing the group with youthful fire on vocals, guitar, and keys, Os Mutantes are set to dazzle audiences once again. Their 2024 tour spans a wide range of intimate clubs and large festivals, from the vibrant stages of Miami’s ZeyZey to London’s iconic Jazz Cafe and Poland’s OFF Festival.
Full Tour Dates:
- 7.8 – ZeyZey – Miami, FL
- 7.10 – World Cafe Live – Philadelphia, PA
- 7.11 – Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts – State College, PA
- 7.12 – Lark Hall – Albany, NY
- 7.14 – Press Room – Portsmouth, NH
- 7.15 – SPACE Ballroom – Hamden, CT
- 7.16 – The Drake – Amherst, MA
- 7.17 – Damrosch Park @ Lincoln Center – New York, NY
- 7.18 – Black Cat – Washington, DC
- 7.23 – Oran Mor – Glasgow, Scotland
- 7.25 & 7.26 – Jazz Cafe – London, UK
- 7.29 – Paradiso Noord – Amsterdam, Netherlands
- 8.1 – OFF Festival – Katowice, Poland
- 8.6 – The Button Factory – Dublin, Ireland
Why Os Mutantes Still Matter
In an era of digital precision and algorithmic playlists, Os Mutantes remind us of the power of experimentation and cultural fusion. Their music was never meant to be polished or predictable—it was meant to shake things up, to laugh in the face of musical boundaries, and to reflect the joyful chaos of life itself.
More than five decades after their debut, their irreverence still feels revolutionary.
If you’ve never seen them live, now’s your chance. And if you have, you already know: there’s still nothing quite like Os Mutantes.
Tickets are on sale now. Let the mutation begin.
