Attending any concert by Brazilian brothers Lucas and Matheus is, first and foremost, about the music, but their recent performance here also provided a welcome immersion in the Portuguese culture. In fact, not understanding one word of the songs, jokes, or my fellow audience members provided a deeper appreciation in other ways.

First, there was no sense of being in Bermuda, which made a nice change, and showed just how ?total? the experience was. Second, while I can?t vouch for the words, the music was just delightful. Happy and tuneful, its infectious rhythms were impossible to dislike.

Much of the music was reminiscent of the polka styles of Austria and Germany, while the romantic ballads were enough to melt the hardest heart. Included in the repertoire were some of the artists? hits, which had a particular resonance with their followers here. To witness an entire auditorium singing along with the performers was very moving.

In fact, a Portuguese audience is very patriotic and enthusiastic, entering into the performance heart and soul, and bonding with the artists on many levels. Clapping and singing along was just one part of the process. Whistling and whooping in appreciation was another. Many arms were seen waving in time to the music, while some danced in an aisle, and a few waved Brazilian flags. Exchanging banter with the artists, be it from their seats, the aisles or the footlights was also part of the natural response to these clearly popular artists ? and why not? For they were not only good looking but also very, very good. In fact, they were back in Bermuda for the second time by popular demand.

Remarkably, the brothers performed their fast-paced show non-stop for over two hours, giving no hint of the nightmare journey they had endured to get here. Apparently, due to bad weather in the United States, it took three trips to the airport before they were re-routed, catching a 2 a.m. flight to connect with another one to the Island, and then coming straight from the airport to City Hall to rehearse for the evening concert.

Hopefully, from the audience?s appreciative response, Lucas and Matheus knew it had all been worth it.

Certainly, they seemed oblivious to the constant to-ing and fro-ing which became the norm for some. Unlike most City Hall audiences who sit primly in their seats, with the exit doors firmly shut until intermission, a number of men moved in and out of the auditorium freely ? a distracting practice to some, but to the smoking fraternity a case of necessity rather than disrespect.

The show was opened by the local trio Ilha Verde (Eduardo Simas, vocals; Tony Araujo, keyboard and accordian; and Edward Viera, guitar), whose strong, polished performance was very polished, and certainly got the crowd going.

In all, this was a lively and thoroughly enjoyable event which left its audience wishing for more.