And what to do when the Blue Note + Gentse Feesten is finished?

I would suggest that you should take you luggage and catch a flight to Faro or Lisbon, and a bus to Sines.

FMM (Festival de Músicas do Mundo) or in english World Music Festival is there, under a beautiful scenery of Alentejo shore (Costa Vicentina), and the Peach-tree island on the horizont.

I remember my 1^st time on the festival: all the concert for free (now to go to the castle you have to pay 10€ per day), a lot of punks, a lot of wine and beer, a lot of nights on the beach, a lot of days at the sun, a lot of unknown but good music, a lot of peace, ...

In the last 4 or 5 years, just the ticket price has changed.

A few group that were there in the latest years: Tom Zé, Hermeto Pascoal, Critina Branco, Brigada Victor Jara, Femi Kuti (Fela Kuti' son), Skatalites, Marc Ribot (Tom Waits and Arto Lindsay guitar player), KTU (Kimmo Pohjonen's band), Lula Pena, Warsaw Village Band, Astrid Hadad, David Murray…

So, if you are looking for a chilled and peaceful days under a hot sun, and listen for sure good concerts, just show up at Sines or Porto Corvo between the 20^th and the 28^th of July ( the last four days are the best).

For more info: http://www.fmm.com.pt/english/index.htm