Natalia Figueredo

Publication / 2022

The music Technology of urban Amazonia

Article and photo report on Aparelhagens, street parties with large sound systems and lighting in Belém, Amazonia, Brazil.

Available in Portuguese (BR) and English

Access the Project
Aparelhagem Crocodilo, club Karibe Show, 2017, in Belém, Brasil | Bruna Brandão

For Sonic Street Technologies

This project documents and reflects on the culture of aparelhagens, the sound systems of Belém, Pará, in the Brazilian Amazonia. Through fieldwork, interviews and visual documentation, it examines how aparelhagens have evolved from neighbourhood gatherings into massive events capable of drawing tens of thousands of people. These sound systems reshape the urban soundscape and popular culture of Pará.

The images captured by Bruna Brandão offer a visual journey through the parties, DJs and communities that bring this scene to life. Complementing this visual and written exploration, a curated playlist [Festa de Aparelhagem on Spotify] invites you to listen to the sounds of Pará and extend the experience into the auditory field.

This work underscores the importance of recognising aparelhagens not only as entertainment but also as complex cultural industries that foster innovation, autonomy and new forms of cultural production in Amazonia.

Crocodile after the candle ceremony at the Palácio dos Bares. At this time of year, the festivities are very crowded as the Círio de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré is celebrated, one of the largest Catholic processions in Latin America, but which also greatly influences the city's culture and non-religious festivals. (October/2022)
Crocodile after the candle ceremony at the Palácio dos Bares. At this time of year, the festivities are very crowded as the Círio de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré is celebrated, one of the largest Catholic processions in Latin America, but which also greatly influences the city's culture and non-religious festivals. (October/2022)
Picture taken at a party organized by owners of sound system-equipped cars with the aparelhagem Principe Negro in the city Ananindeua-Pará. They gathered to see some of the greatest exponents of the scene: DJ Lorran, DJ Méury, DJ Hud and Dj Mayara. Image © Bruna Brandão
Picture taken at a party organized by owners of sound system-equipped cars with the aparelhagem Principe Negro in the city Ananindeua-Pará. They gathered to see some of the greatest exponents of the scene: DJ Lorran, DJ Méury, DJ Hud and Dj Mayara. Image © Bruna Brandão
Picture of aparelhagem Crocodilo in October of 2022. During this month, the parties are crowded due to an important celebration in Belém, the Círio. It is one of the largest Catholic processions in Latin America, which also moves the local culture and non-religious festivities in the city. The picture was taken at Palácio dos Bares, one of the most famous clubs in Belém. Image © Bruna Brandão.
Picture of aparelhagem Crocodilo in October of 2022. During this month, the parties are crowded due to an important celebration in Belém, the Círio. It is one of the largest Catholic processions in Latin America, which also moves the local culture and non-religious festivities in the city. The picture was taken at Palácio dos Bares, one of the most famous clubs in Belém. Image © Bruna Brandão.
As the previous one, this image shows aparelhagem Crocodilo at the same party in October of 2022 at Palácio dos Bares. Image © Bruna Brandão
As the previous one, this image shows aparelhagem Crocodilo at the same party in October of 2022 at Palácio dos Bares. Image © Bruna Brandão
Informal sale of CDs at the Ver-o-Peso Market, on the banks of the Guamá River in Belém. This Bike-sound passes as if they were small sound systems, selling pen-drives and CD’s. Image © Bruna Brandão.
Informal sale of CDs at the Ver-o-Peso Market, on the banks of the Guamá River in Belém. This Bike-sound passes as if they were small sound systems, selling pen-drives and CD’s. Image © Bruna Brandão.
Picture of a couple dancing to the sound of the aparelhagem Tremendão Tupinambá. Image © Bruna Brandão.
Picture of a couple dancing to the sound of the aparelhagem Tremendão Tupinambá. Image © Bruna Brandão.

The music Technology of urban Amazonia

Aparelhagem Crocodilo, club Karibe Show, 2017, in Belém, Brasil | Bruna Brandão

For Sonic Street Technologies

2022

Available in Portuguese (BR) and English

Article and photo report on Aparelhagens, street parties with large sound systems and lighting in Belém, Amazonia, Brazil.
Access the Project

This project documents and reflects on the culture of aparelhagens, the sound systems of Belém, Pará, in the Brazilian Amazonia. Through fieldwork, interviews and visual documentation, it examines how aparelhagens have evolved from neighbourhood gatherings into massive events capable of drawing tens of thousands of people. These sound systems reshape the urban soundscape and popular culture of Pará.

The images captured by Bruna Brandão offer a visual journey through the parties, DJs and communities that bring this scene to life. Complementing this visual and written exploration, a curated playlist [Festa de Aparelhagem on Spotify] invites you to listen to the sounds of Pará and extend the experience into the auditory field.

This work underscores the importance of recognising aparelhagens not only as entertainment but also as complex cultural industries that foster innovation, autonomy and new forms of cultural production in Amazonia.

Crocodile after the candle ceremony at the Palácio dos Bares. At this time of year, the festivities are very crowded as the Círio de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré is celebrated, one of the largest Catholic processions in Latin America, but which also greatly influences the city's culture and non-religious festivals. (October/2022)
Crocodile after the candle ceremony at the Palácio dos Bares. At this time of year, the festivities are very crowded as the Círio de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré is celebrated, one of the largest Catholic processions in Latin America, but which also greatly influences the city's culture and non-religious festivals. (October/2022)
Picture taken at a party organized by owners of sound system-equipped cars with the aparelhagem Principe Negro in the city Ananindeua-Pará. They gathered to see some of the greatest exponents of the scene: DJ Lorran, DJ Méury, DJ Hud and Dj Mayara. Image © Bruna Brandão
Picture taken at a party organized by owners of sound system-equipped cars with the aparelhagem Principe Negro in the city Ananindeua-Pará. They gathered to see some of the greatest exponents of the scene: DJ Lorran, DJ Méury, DJ Hud and Dj Mayara. Image © Bruna Brandão
Picture of aparelhagem Crocodilo in October of 2022. During this month, the parties are crowded due to an important celebration in Belém, the Círio. It is one of the largest Catholic processions in Latin America, which also moves the local culture and non-religious festivities in the city. The picture was taken at Palácio dos Bares, one of the most famous clubs in Belém. Image © Bruna Brandão.
Picture of aparelhagem Crocodilo in October of 2022. During this month, the parties are crowded due to an important celebration in Belém, the Círio. It is one of the largest Catholic processions in Latin America, which also moves the local culture and non-religious festivities in the city. The picture was taken at Palácio dos Bares, one of the most famous clubs in Belém. Image © Bruna Brandão.
As the previous one, this image shows aparelhagem Crocodilo at the same party in October of 2022 at Palácio dos Bares. Image © Bruna Brandão
As the previous one, this image shows aparelhagem Crocodilo at the same party in October of 2022 at Palácio dos Bares. Image © Bruna Brandão
Informal sale of CDs at the Ver-o-Peso Market, on the banks of the Guamá River in Belém. This Bike-sound passes as if they were small sound systems, selling pen-drives and CD’s. Image © Bruna Brandão.
Informal sale of CDs at the Ver-o-Peso Market, on the banks of the Guamá River in Belém. This Bike-sound passes as if they were small sound systems, selling pen-drives and CD’s. Image © Bruna Brandão.
Picture of a couple dancing to the sound of the aparelhagem Tremendão Tupinambá. Image © Bruna Brandão.
Picture of a couple dancing to the sound of the aparelhagem Tremendão Tupinambá. Image © Bruna Brandão.

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