Luc Rouffaud
Looking for a good underground party this Carnaval 2024?
Well lucky you, we’ve done the research and found nine of the most exciting events of the season all over Brazil. You can go ahead and open Google Flights in another tab.
Since our last Brazilian escapade in 2019, we have been continually impressed by the music, the people and the vibe of Carnaval season. A lot of “hard work” was done to discover underground scenes in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and elsewhere in this vast country that loves to celebrate.
While we can’t pretend to know of every good event, we can confidently say that this is one of the best guides for underground parties in Brazil for this period.
Carnaval do Brasil
To give some context, Carnaval do Brasil or Carnival of Brazil, is bar none the most popular holiday in the country.
Events are popping up everywhere, street parades appear seemingly at random and the entertainment economy is booming. Graced by great weather, the whole country seemingly stops for a month of festivities.
It’s a favorite event of Diplo and Seth Troxler who frequently play and host events in Rio de Janeiro during this time.
When is Carnaval 2024?
Data do carnaval 2024 / Carnaval dates 2024 : 9-17 February
Carnaval starts the 9th of February, the Friday afternoon before Ash Wednesday and will go until the 17th of the month. Basically, count all of February off. There’s the excitement before, the actual carnival and then unfortunately, the hangover.
Underground music in Brazil
For the underground, Brazil is a place of massive proportions.
You can find many producers, musicians and artists, while at the same time you’ve got listeners to match. Even in Europe, musical subgenres, like psy-trance for example, can be made up of rather small communities. However, in Brazil the scale is much different.
There is something for everyone here, for every fanbase and musical taste. Go out there and party with your people this Carnaval with the events we recommend below.
1. Claptone playing the opening Friday night of Carnaval 2024
Where: H.A.R.A.S. Jockey Club, Rio de Janeiro
When: 9 February from 19:00
At Rio’s Jockey Club in Rio de Janeiro, Claptone who will be headlining Fantasia, one of the three stages hosted by Body & Soul. The masked house & tech house DJ is a fitting act for the classic spirit of Carnaval of the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvellous City).
Claptone will be supported by the uplifting sounds of Gui Boratto, the jungle disco of Mozambo and that tingly feeling of listening to house music with Aline Rocha. There will also be Jessica Brankka, a fantastic Brazilian electronic producer who played Universo Parallelo in 2022.
The same organizers are behind quite a few Rio events on this list – lots of good parties are brewing.
Buy your tickets to see Claptone here.
2. Sasha & Priku playing at Surreal Park in the State of Santa Catarina
Where: Surreal Park, Camboriú
When: 9 February from 23:00
Here we have Sasha, one of the great idols of classic progressive music, and Priku, a product of the minimal scenes of Bucharest coming to the southern state of Santa Catarina. They will be kicking off Carnaval 2024 at Surreal Park, a beautiful clubbing complex.
Need convincing? Read this review we found:
“Settings! People! Energy! The location! The sunrises and only when opened the church stage! It truly is surreal place.”
After doing some research, it appears this club is on the way up – watch out Warung and Green Valley.
Check out their Insta to find tickets.
3. Rec-Beat Festival, spend Carnaval 2024 in the Nordeste
Where: Cais da Alfândega, Recife,
When: 10-13 February
“Rec-Beat is an experience of liberty of expression.” This is what Gutie the director and curator of Rec-Beat festivals says about this Recife event in the Northeast of Brazil.
Some of the first confirmed acts include Ebony, trap artist from Rio as well as DJ K O Bruxo artist from São Paulo and creator of a new subgenre of funk.
The multi-genre event was recently awarded the title of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Recife.
Find more info about Rec-Beat on Instagram.
4. D-RETE with Indira Paganotto & Anetha – SP Bloco style
Where: Memorial da América Latina, São Paulo
When: 11 February from 14:00
The D-RETE Carnaval bloco or Carnival float is back for another top level edition. This concept from D-EDGE club in São Paulo is right up our alley, bringing fantastic names in techno and trance, notably Indira Paganotto, Anetha and Renato Ratier, the music producer who founded D-EDGE club back in the 2000s.
Meet at Memorial da América Latina from 14:00 to take on Carnaval 2024 São Paulo style.
And you guessed it – find the after party at the infamous D-EDGE club to carry on the night with your new friends.
5. AFTER D-RETE at D-EDGE Club
Where: D-EDGE, São Paulo
When: 11 February from 21:00
The afterparty of the D-RETE bloco!
Simply because the lineup looks so juicy and we have personally visited D-EDGE for our own taste of Brazilian techno, here’s what the D-EDGE post-bloco party will look like.
Have a look at that lineup: amazing electronic curator Adnan Sharif, progressive king of the underground Sasha and infectious tech sound of East End Dubs – need we say more?
If you didn’t click above, here is the LinkTree again.
6. Carnarara24 with Seth Troxler & Friends
Where: Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
When: 12 February from 15:00
Taking place at the Museum of Modern art of Rio and created out of the love for the culture of carnaval, this looks like a good one.
Another party organized by Body & Soul, this party’s motto is “Power to the people.” The main area of the event is free for all (90% of the crowd) and to fund the production, they are doing crowdfunding that will benefit fundraisers (10% of the crowd) with exclusive access.
“It’s power to the city’s struggling cultural sector. It’s a give back to the city that made our brand so relevant, and Seth so fond of it’s Carnival.”
The lineup is one to be excited about. Seth Troxler is headlining with support from Chloé Caillet, Dennis Cruz, DJ Tennis and other local selectors. Think house, tech house and disco baby.
Click here to secure your spot.
7. Mareh Boat Parties Carnaval 2024
Where: Marina Da Glória, Rio de Janeiro
When: 11-12 February 11:00 departure
Music label and Brazilian events producer Mareh Music has been around since 2003, making their name is São Paulo. This year they’re going to be throwing two boat parties on the 11th and 12th of February.
On the 11th you’ll find a chilled out lineup of Trujillo from Spain and Bayetë from France for a true Balearic and electronic gathering at sea.
The next day Dicky Trisco, Sonido Tupinamba and Tiger Balm are going to be warming up the decks for a disco house gathering.
All parties are open bar with fruit included as you soak up the iconic views of Guanabara Bay.
These are boat parties, so space is obviously limited – buy your tickets here.
8. All Day I Dream of Rio Carnaval
Where: Joá Jungle Rooftop, Rio de Janeiro
When: 12 February 3PM
Is this a dream or reality? Nope, this is real life – All Day I Dream are hosting a Carnaval event this year at a rooftop location in typical ADID fashion. Lee Burridge’s techno and afro house concept has gone round the world, and it’s in Rio this February.
The lineup features Lee Burridge himself, Sebastien Leger, Lost Desert and Tommy Raffa. Expect a magical sunset and a beautiful night on this Rio rooftop.
Click here to secure a ticket.
Not convinced? Read about our last experience at an All Day I Dream event at EXIT Festival 2019.
9. Carnaval 2024 closing with ARTBAT at Morro da Urca
Where: SkyPark Morro da Urca, Rio de Janeiro
When: 13 February
This will be the third year Body & Soul are hosting what they are calling the “Official Closing of Rio Carnaval.”
This venue likely has one of the most dramatic sunsets a promoter can offer. Here you have the view of the Guanabara Bay from Morro da Urca, the first hill up on the way to Rio’s famous Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf Mountain).
On top of it, they will be bringing Artbat, the Ukrainian duo that played the famous Boiler Room set during Carnaval 2019 at Pão de Açúcar. Also on the lineup are Sainte Vie, Sevenn, Mozambo and more. Service is all inclusive, meaning open bar and open food, signed by the creators of Camarote Allegria and Baile do Zeh Pretim.
As described by the promoter: “our events are based on small communities of friends from around the world, and this experience is for us to live the Rio de Janeiro Carnival with some of the artists we love most, in a truly exclusive and memorable experience.”
Follow Underground Sound on Instagram for Carnaval 2024 updates
Whoever reads this, we wish you the best Carnaval ever. If it turns out to be a great success, let us know with a DM on our Instagram.
