Text by: Marcelo Gomes
On May 11th, the Carioca Club in São Paulo will host one of the most intense nights of the 2025 underground calendar. The second edition of the Upfront Festival brings back to Brazil none other than The Exploited , one of the greatest legends of world punk rock, on their farewell tour. An absolute icon of the British scene, the group led by Wattie Buchan promises a direct, loud, and no-frills show, exactly as it should be.
In addition to them, the festival brings together a heavyweight lineup representing different phases, styles, and voices within punk and hardcore. Among the national highlights is the powerful return of Ratos de Porão to the festival's stages. With decades of history, classic albums, and an unwavering stance, Ratos continues to be one of the most important and respected bands in the Brazilian heavy metal scene.
The Upfront's proposal is clear: sonic diversity with ideological coherence. Proof of this is the lineup which, in addition to the headliners, features names that are making waves in their respective scenes. From the United Kingdom, The Chisel arrives with their modern, raw, and energetic street punk, showing why they are one of the most talked-about bands of the new generation. From the United States comes Fang , veterans of Bay Area hardcore, with their aggressive mix of punk, dirty rock, and visceral lyrics.
Representing the strength of the current national scene, three Brazilian bands complete the festival. Escalpo , with its dense sound and sharp lyrics, brings to the stage a mix of grind, crust, and unfiltered politics. Urutu brings a dark, dragging crust sound loaded with social criticism, while Punho de Mahin puts the weight of anti-racist struggles at the center of the scene, combining hard-hitting lyrics with explosive energy.
Upfront Festival 2025 is not just another festival; it's a meeting point for those who truly experience the punk and hardcore scene. It's also a celebration of resistance, diversity, and music made with urgency.
SERVICE
Date: May 11th
Time: 2 PM
Location: Carioca Club
Address: Rua Cardeal Arcoverde, 2899 – São Paulo/SP
Tickets: Upfrontal Festival – The Exploited
