On April 22nd, the Estonian audience was treated to a captivating Portuguese evening, where the music of emotions and feelings took center stage. Luísa Sobral, making her debut in Estonia, performed a selection of her own compositions from across her career, including a special piece that made the entire continent fall in love with Portuguese music once again.
A Portuguese singer-songwriter, Luísa Sobral, began her musical journey over a decade ago. Shortly after graduating from the Berklee College of Music, she released her debut solo album The Cherry on My Cake (2011), which found success and quickly made its way onto the music charts. Since then, Luísa has released six studio albums, the latest being DanSando in 2022. She composes her own songs, while also creating music for other musicians.
Her last name may ring a bell – and with good reason. Luísa is the sister of Salvador Sobral, winner of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. The Estonian audience had the chance to see him live during the Christmas Jazz program back in 2021. What many may not know is that his winning song, Amar Pelos Dois (To Love for the Both of Us), which captivated audiences around the world, was actually composed by Luísa!
Her calendar is packed with upcoming concerts – primarily in Portugal, but also across several European countries. She usually performs solo but occasionally shares the stage with her brother for intimate duo concerts. On Tuesday evening, April 22nd, she brought her music to Tallinn – not only for fans of Portuguese music, but for anyone drawn to smooth vocals and a touch of Portuguese soul.
At the very beginning of the concert, Luísa shared that she had been struggling with her voice since the morning – but promised to give it her best. Fittingly, her opening song was about losing your voice and not knowing how to live without it. On stage, she was supported not only by her fellow musicians, but also close friends in life: Manuel Rocha on guitar and piano, António Quintino on double bass, and Carlos Antunes on drums.
Luísa primarily performs in Portuguese and doesn’t limit herself to a single genre – her music effortlessly blends elements of jazz, pop, and something deeply, unmistakably Portuguese. Knowing that most of the audience didn’t speak Portuguese, she took time to explain the meaning behind each piece. It’s clear she wants listeners to connect with her songs on a deeper level – perhaps because she composes all of them herself, each one feeling like a fragment of her soul.
One of the songs performed on the concert was Maria Feliz – a beautiful piece, inspired by the love story of two German expats who changed their names and moved to Portugal to start a new life. Luísa shared that anything could inspire her to write a song – whether it is a feeling, a person, a place (like in Maria do Mar), or the birth of a child – she always finds the right words and melodies to express it.
As the concert progressed, it became clear that there was no trace of the vocal struggles Luísa had mentioned at the beginning. Her smooth, elegant voice captivated the entire audience – not just those who understood the lyrics, but also the rest of us, simply mesmerized by the atmosphere and emotions she conveyed. Between songs, Luísa shared how important it is to her to learn to enjoy and appreciate the little things in life. Her 2021 mini-album Camomila reflects this sentiment beautifully, featuring seven songs inspired by each day of the week. Fittingly, during her Tuesday concert in Tallinn she performed Terça-feira (coisas pequeninas) – or Tuesday (little things) – a gentle reminder on finding joy in life’s quiet moments. Continuing the theme of simplicity and beauty in everyday life, she also sang O Resto das Nossas Vidas (The Rest of Our Lives), a touching piece that captures the intimacy and tenderness of a couple cherishing their daily routines together.
A piece that truly stood out and deserves special mention is Serei Sempre uma Mulher (I Will Always Be a Woman) – a powerful and moving song addressing the injustices and violence faced by women, while celebrating their unwavering strength. Luísa dedicated this piece to all the women whose human rights have been stripped away, and to those still fighting for access to basic necessities, like education.
What made this concert truly special was the variety it offered — from lively, energetic songs that made you want to dance, to tender lullabies filled with deep meaning and reflections on the challenges of life. The program treated us to songs not only in Portuguese but also in English. At times, Luísa’s bandmates lent their voices to the performance, adding even more warmth and intimacy. A special highlight was the beautiful song Só Um Beijo (Just A Kiss) – originally performed together with her brother Salvador – which, in Tallinn, Luísa performed alongside one of her musicians.
The ending of this charming concert was expected – of course, Luísa wouldn’t let us leave without performing her most iconic piece, Amar Pelos Dois, the song that brought Portugal its first-ever Eurovision victory. While the lyrics and melody remain the same, the two versions – Salvador’s and Luísa’s – are words apart. Both are hauntingly beautiful, yet sung with such distinct emotion and interpretation. For those who haven’t heard Luísa’s version yet, now is the perfect time to do so!
Obrigado, Luísa and your musicians, for inviting us into your world of feelings and emotions. Thank you for sharing a piece of your Portuguese heart and soul with us. You saw it – our standing ovation said more than words ever could. We’ll be waiting for your return, whether with a solo concert or alongside Salvador.
Luísa Sobral
22nd of April 2025, Von Krahl
The band:
Luísa Sobral – vocals, guitar
Manuel Rocha – guitar, vocals, piano
António Quintino – double bass
Carlos Antunes – drums
Photo: Andi Kokk