Luís Trigacheiro gave an exclusive interview to Alentrium during the "Alentejo Autêntico" initiative, held at Quinta do Paral in Vidigueira. The singer defended the evolution of Alentejo music and revealed he is finishing a new album, anticipating the announcement of concerts in major venues across the country. The event brought together different expressions of regional culture and identity, at the intersection of artistic creation, territory and tourism promotion of the Alentejo.
Trigacheiro believes that the new generation of artists in the region does not reproduce Alentejo cante in its traditional format, but carries with it its cadence, identity and collective memory. The singer began contact with cante through cassettes of local groups he listened to with his grandmother, in an environment initially marked by amateurism and the pleasure of singing. For Trigacheiro, Alentejo cante functions as a foundation, although new performers build their own language, influenced by different genres.
The artist distinguished between traditional cante and the music developed by the new generation, noting that he knows and can perform Alentejo cante, but that his music results from a mix of influences, including fado, Brazilian music and other styles. He referred to Vitorino as an example of how tradition can be worked on differently and reach wider audiences, having popularized traditional songs such as "Menina Estás à Janela".
Trigacheiro stated that he believes there is room for everyone and for different musical styles, considering that the way of prolonging syllables and words maintains a direct connection to regional identity. The singer expressed satisfaction at sharing his journey with other Alentejo musicians whom he considers friends before colleagues, emphasizing that the current moment of visibility results from the combination of a deeply rooted musical culture and the growing capacity of the Alentejo to receive investment and initiatives of different scales.
