The stage of the 8th edition of Festival Quebramar — Integrating the Guianas is getting new sounds. The Festival announces that applications for the Batalha de Bandas (Battle of the Bands) open this Sunday (20th). Bands and original music projects from Amapá can apply free of charge. Quebramar 2026 has master sponsorship from Petrobras, through the Petrobras Cultural programme, made possible by the Ministry of Culture via the Federal Culture Incentive Law. The initiative seeks to reveal talent, increase the visibility of independent music and bring artists and audiences closer together. Applications are open until October 5, at 11:59 pm, exclusively through the SOM.VC platform.
The open call will select 12 bands from Amapá, which will take part in four nights of qualifiers held at different venues in Macapá. Of the 12 selected bands, only the 4 with the most audience votes will go on to the Festival stage.
Beyond the competition, the programme will include a cultural exchange component, with guest bands from outside the state, reinforcing Festival Quebramar’s aim of connecting different music scenes and territories.
For Festival Quebramar production coordinator Heluana Quintas, the Batalha is also a way of creating new opportunities for those who make original music in Amapá.
“The Batalha de Bandas is a space for artists to show their identity, their work and their power. While we value the Amapá scene, we create encounters with artists from other places, widening the possibilities for exchange and circulation. It is a programme that has everything to do with Quebramar’s aim of integrating territories through culture,” says Heluana.
Music, exchange and opportunities
The Batalha de Bandas is part of the Festival Quebramar 2026 — Integrating the Guianas programme, and offers an experience that goes beyond competition. The participating bands will have the chance to present their work to the public, showcasing different styles, repertoires and forms of expression of the independent music made in Amapá.
The project also builds a bridge with the music scene of Pará. On each of the four qualifier nights, a guest band from outside the state joins the programme: Mangifera, Naif, Mobile Lunar and Miriti.
The performances take place on October 9, 10, 16 and 17, at different cultural and social venues in Macapá. The programme starts on October 9 at Cufa, in the city centre, with Pará band Mangifera. The following day, Bar do Vila hosts the second qualifier, featuring the band Naif.
The third night takes place on October 16, at the No Pico venue, with Mobile Lunar. Closing the qualifier phase, on the 17th, Mocambo do Norte welcomes the band Miriti.
At the end of the competition, the winning band will receive an artist fee to perform on the main stage of Festival Quebramar 2026, on a date and at a time set by the organisers.
With the concept “Integrating the Guianas”, the Batalha reinforces the festival’s aim of creating connections between different sounds, identities and territories. The initiative values independent production, encourages the circulation of artists and turns performance venues into meeting points between musicians and audiences.
Who can take part
Bands and original music projects from Amapá that meet the criteria set by the organisers can apply. Registration is free and must be done exclusively through the SOM.VC platform.
The participation criteria, required documents, artistic materials and further information are available in the open call’s online form.
Qualifier schedule
1st qualifier — October 9
Venue: Cufa
Guest band: Mangifera (PA)
Guest band set time: 10:10 pm
2nd qualifier — October 10
Venue: Bar do Vila
Guest band: Naif (PA)
Guest band set time: 10:10 pm
3rd qualifier — October 16
Venue: No Pico
Guest band: Mobile Lunar (PA)
Guest band set time: 10:10 pm
4th qualifier — October 17
Venue: Mocambo do Norte
Guest band: Miriti (PA)
Guest band set time: 10:10 pm
Information
Batalha de Bandas — Festival Quebramar 2026
Applications: September 20 to October 5, 2026
Deadline: until 11:59 pm on October 5
Participation: free
Who can apply: bands and original music projects from Amapá
Where: SOM.VC platform — som.vc/oportunidades
Qualifiers: October 9, 10, 16 and 17
Prize: artist fee for the winning band to perform on the main stage of Festival Quebramar 2026 — Integrating the Guianas.
