From Rio to Oslo: Fábio Allman Brings the Energy of Brazilian Carnival to "Esquenta do Carnaval" at Cosmopolite Scene

With a career that blends tradition and innovation, Fábio Allman is one of the most striking voices in Brazil’s street Carnival scene. Known as the former vocalist of the legendary Monobloco, Fábio has built a solid path as a singer, songwriter, and percussionist, merging the roots of samba with modern influences that have revitalized Brazil's music scene. Now based in Portugal, he continues to bring the vibrant energy of Carnival to international stages, showcasing the richness and strength of Brazilian culture worldwide.

On February 8, 2025, Fábio will perform in Oslo alongside Grupo Churrasco Na Brasa and Grupo Zanza at Esquenta do Carnaval, held at Cosmopolite Scene. The night promises to transform Norway’s cold into the warmth of Rio de Janeiro’s streets, with plenty of samba, percussion, and excitement. With his captivating stage presence and passion for music, Fábio will be one of the highlights of this unique and unmissable celebration.

Fabio Allman

Fábio Allman, “Esquenta do Carnaval” promises to bring the vibrant energy of Rio to Oslo. What can the audience expect from your performance and the event as a whole?

I think the audience can expect a lot of joy and human warmth. Bringing this energy and the richness of Brazilian music to a Carnival warm-up in Norway—where it will be cold and possibly snowing—will be an incredible experience. That’s the mission of this event: to transport the audience to a little piece of Brazil and provide a true immersion into the culture and celebration that is our Carnival.

You have a long journey as a singer and songwriter. What are the main influences that have shaped your music over the years?

Talking about musical influences is always a challenge because I'm very eclectic. Since childhood, I was exposed to a huge diversity of music. My father was passionate about samba and listened to Beth Carvalho, Dilermando Pinheiro, Ciro Monteiro, Martinho da Vila, Cartola, Nelson Cavaquinho... My mother, although she also liked samba, had a strong inclination towards foreign music, especially French songs—we listened a lot to Charles Aznavour and Édith Piaf at home.

Over time, I expanded my horizons. Rock and blues came into my life during my teenage years, and I had a strong rock phase before diving deeper into samba and percussion. Samba and Brazilian rhythms have always been present, especially living in Rio de Janeiro. By the late 1990s, I started playing and recording, and Cássia Eller even recorded one of my songs. Then came Monobloco, which was born from all these influences combined. So, my journey goes through rock, blues, reggae, and, of course, samba, which is the foundation of everything.

How has it been to take samba and Brazilian music abroad? Do you think the connection with Brazilian music is growing in Europe?

I’ve had the privilege of bringing Brazilian culture to the world for many years. Since 2005, I have traveled extensively with Monobloco and witnessed firsthand the power of Brazilian music in Europe. Samba and bossa nova have always had a strong impact here, but rhythm is what truly wins people over. The sound of the drums, the percussion—it moves everyone.

Capoeira has also helped a lot in spreading this connection. It’s amazing how, in almost any place in Europe, you can find capoeira groups, percussion ensembles, and people interested in Brazilian culture. This only reinforces how universal our music and rhythms are.

I’ve been living in Portugal for nearly seven years, but even before that, I frequently traveled to England, Italy, Ireland, Germany… This mission of bringing Brazil’s culture to the world continues strong, and I’m happy to see this interest growing more and more.

You’re known for your charisma on stage and your ability to energize the audience. What’s the secret to creating that contagious energy in your performances?

The secret is to truly love what you do. Music entered my life as a passion, and in a short time, I realized I wanted to make it my profession. When I’m on stage, I’m in my element, I feel at home. I think this authenticity is essential to connecting with the audience.

That contagious energy comes from giving your all, from being genuine in your music. When you have fun, vibrate, and feel every note, the audience picks up on it. Charisma and stage energy come from passion and respect for music and for the shared moment with the audience.

What makes Rio’s Carnival, especially with the rise of street blocos in recent years, so special and unique?

I can answer this question with authority! I experienced firsthand the revival of Rio’s street Carnival. By the late 1990s, Carnival in Rio was very focused on the Sambadrome. Of course, the parade of the samba schools is a grand spectacle, but street Carnival was somewhat dormant.

There were already traditional blocos, like Banda de Ipanema, Simpatia Quase Amor, and Sovaco do Cristo, but the real revolution happened when Monobloco emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s. We brought a new approach: using samba instruments to play everything—rock, reggae, northeastern rhythms, international music. This fusion reinvented Rio’s Carnival, making it even more democratic and accessible.

Today, Rio’s street Carnival attracts millions of revelers, both Brazilian and foreign. This vibrancy, this organized chaos, is what makes Rio’s Carnival so special. And it’s not a recent phenomenon—it’s been over 25 years of growth and renewal in this celebration.

Besides "Esquenta do Carnaval," what are your future plans? Can you share any upcoming projects or collaborations?

I never stop! I run a percussion workshop in Lisbon called Batuca Boa, with activities also in Cascais. We are preparing for Carnival, which will include several performances here.

During the European summer, I will participate in major festivals with Banda Berimbal, a group I’ve been collaborating with for a long time. We’ll perform at Coburg Festival, one of the largest samba festivals in Europe, and at Brasil Fest in Brno, Czech Republic. We’ll also have shows in Italy and other events throughout the year.

Additionally, I’m developing a project that fuses Brazilian music with the electronic music scene. I want to explore new possibilities, mixing percussion, vocal improvisation, and electronic beats. It’s something different from what I’ve done before, and I’m excited to see where it leads.

For those still undecided about coming to "Esquenta do Carnaval," what would you say to them? And what message would you like to send to the Brazilian community in Norway and Norwegians who appreciate Brazilian music?

If you want to feel the warmth of Carnival even in Norway’s cold, you can’t miss this party! I performed in Oslo last year with Churrasco Na Brasa, and it was an amazing experience. Now we’re coming back to continue this connection and prove that Brazilian music has no borders.

I invite everyone—Brazilians, Norwegians, and anyone who loves great music—to celebrate with us at Esquenta do Carnaval. It will be an unforgettable night of samba, joy, and great vibes. See you there!

Win a Trip to Rio!

Fábio Allman, with his authenticity and passion for music, is a true ambassador of samba and Brazilian Carnival. His performance at Esquenta do Carnaval will be a unique opportunity for the Norwegian audience to experience the spirit and joy of Brazil.

And there's more: Everyone who buys a ticket will automatically enter a giveaway for a round-trip ticket from Rio to Oslo! An incredible chance to experience Carnival in Oslo and, who knows, even travel to enjoy Rio’s warm weather!

Get your ticket now and join this unforgettable celebration.

🎟 Tickets available at: Ticketmaster

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