Leader of the Band

Seldom a week seems to go by in Funchal without a festival of some sort taking place. At the moment it’s the Book Festival. It’s been on all week, but this is the first time I’ve made it into town itself - another improvement. 

There are lots of stalls, most of which are obviously selling Portuguese literature with a smattering of English titles. There’s a folk band playing on a covered stage and we sit to listen for a while. To be honest, I really need to rest, but the music’s actually great, and photographing the musicians becomes a focus. The leader is particularly photogenic - bearded with flowing grey locks and a face etched with character. At one point, he’s clearly not happy with the ensemble, stops them, gestures flamboyantly before starting up the musicians once again.  

We walk a little further, enjoying the sunshine for a change. Reaching the river, I decide it’s far enough; we turn towards the prom and take a taxi back to the hotel.  

My main’s a mono of the ukulele playing leader, with a colour extra of him gesticulating to the band. There’s little light on the covered stage - hence the hideous ISO!