AMPLIFEST 2023: FAQ (EN)
Concerts, films, Amplitalks, exhibitions, craft beer bar and moments of sharing between artists and audience. As always, we work tirelessly for the sake of art.
Our Amplifest 2023 page will be updated on a regular basis with all the info you need to know (Portuguese and English) and this FAQ will also be updated on our way to Amplifest 2023, but here are some of the most pressing questions:
Tickets
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets are available through See Tickets and can be purchased here.
UPDATE: Both daily tickets and weekend passes are now sold out.
I have a weekend pass. Do I still need to get a ticket for the events on Friday, September 22?
You don’t need anything to enter Ferro Bar, but do get there early if you don’t want to miss the show since its capacity is around 150 people.
For Rui Chafes & Candura’s show at Serralves, you need to secure your free ticket.
UPDATE: the Serralves event is now sold-out. If you have a ticket and can’t attend it, please let us know!
I have a weekend pass. Do I still need to get a ticket for the movie on Sunday, September 24?
Yes, it’s a limited-capacity event. Free tickets for the movie will be available at Batalha Centro de Cinema’s ticket booth starting one hour before the screening.
Is there any chance of going to Amplifest after it’s fully sold out?
You can check Ticketswap or keep an eye on our Facebook event and Instagram page, as someone might want to sell their tickets if they’re unable to come.
Be wary of scams, though, as we cannot help you if you get ripped off. See Tickets can help you verify if a ticket is legit. Tickets should look like this:
I bought a ticket from someone else / someone bought a ticket for me but it has their name on it. Will it still be valid?
Yes, the name on the ticket does not matter.
I bought a ticket but I won’t be able to go / I want a refund. What should I do?
Refunds are subject to See Tickets’ Consumer Terms and Conditions. If you have any additional questions, please contact them through this form.
Is the ticket enough to be admitted into the rooms where the shows take place?
No, you have to exchange it for a wristband at the box office. This applies for daily tickets as well. Check the plant further down this page to see the box office’s location.
Will I receive a physical copy of the ticket? Do I need to print it?
No, you’ll just receive it through your e-mail. You don’t need to print the ticket, but we’d suggest you download it to your phone just in case there are connectivity problems or other unforeseen circumstances.
I lost my digital ticket, what should I do?
You can download it again or request a new e-mail from See Tickets through their form .
Can minors attend Amplifest 2023?
You have to be at least 16 years old to attend the event. If you’re under 18, you also have to be accompanied by an adult.
Can I go as a volunteer?
We currently run Amplifest without volunteers.
Are there VIP tickets?
At Amplifest, all tickets are VIP tickets: many bands tend to enjoy each other’s shows and mingle with the crowd, chatting and having drinks with their fans. It’s one of the reasons we label Amplifest an experience instead of “just” a music festival.
Line-up & Schedule
How many bands are there per day?
Expect 9 or 10 shows per day, plus Amplitalks, a mainfloor exhibition, a documentary at Batalha Centro de Cinema, and special shows at the Serralves Museum and Ferro Bar on Friday, as well as lots of unforgettable moments. And remember: there are no clashes at Amplifest, there are no overlapping shows, so you can actually see all bands. However, the Beerfreaks stage has a smaller capacity, so be there earlier if you really don’t want to miss something.
Will you announce more bands?
The line-up is now complete.
How early do the doors open / how late do the shows end?
On both Saturday and Sunday the doors will open at 12:00, with shows starting a couple of hours afterwards. You can check the timetable here.
Are there meet & greets?
There will be a lot of opportunities to talk to your favourite artists, as many of the artists featured at Amplifest enjoy watching each other’s shows, wandering around Hard Club and the city, or having a drink with their fans. Please be respectful, but don’t be shy!
What does “Amplitalks” mean?
Our artists and guests tend to be the most down-to-earth people you’ll find, and if you need any proof you just need to come to one of the talks during Amplifest. In previous editions, we’ve had members of Amenra, Altar of Plagues and U.S. Christmas discussing among them their musical ventures outside of their comfort zone; journalists from music magazines commenting on the difficulties that come with writing about such a subjective topic; and even the organisers of Supersonic Festival and Damnation Festival unveiling some secrets behind their incredible endeavours. Of course, the audience also has the chance to ask any questions, so don’t forget to confirm if a rumour you’ve heard about that old forgotten recording is true – straight from the horse’s mouth!
How can I stay updated?
You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also go to amplifest.com to stay constantly up-to-date and, at the bottom of the page, you have the option to subscribe to our newsletter.
Getting to Amplifest
I’m coming from abroad. Are there currently any travel restrictions in Portugal?
You can use the Visit Portugal website, which is available in multiple languages, to stay updated. Right now there aren’t any restrictions. There are currently no travel restrictions, but we will comply with any changes that may occur until Amplifest starts.
How’s the weather like in Porto?
Current forecasts point towards sunny or cloudy days somewhere between 12ºC-24ºC. Be sure to explore the city if you can!
I don’t know Porto. Where should I stay/which areas should I avoid?
Generally speaking, you’ll be safe in Porto. The downtown area around the São Bento train station, for instance, is very touristy and alive throughout the night. It’s also within walking distance to the Hard Club venue where Amplifest will be taking place. Locals tend to be friendly and usually speak a bit of English.
Take your general precautions regarding suspicious behavior, walking alone in dark alleys and so on. If you do need to call the Portuguese emergency number, it’s 112.
On a lighter note, check the bottom of the Amplifest page for some suggestions regarding places to visit.
How do I get to Porto?
If coming by plane, Porto’s airport is called Aeroporto Francisco Sá Carneiro (or simply Aeroporto do Porto).
From there, you can take the subway (choose “Aeroporto” as your starting point) and “São Bento” is the closest one to Hard Club, the main venue.
You can also take an STCP bus – either 601 or 602 (exit at the last stop, at Cordoaria), or the nocturnal 3M (exit at the last stop, Aliados). Make sure you select the day first, as the schedule may change on the weekends.
If you’re coming by train , the Porto – São Bento Station is within walking distance to Hard Club and it also has a subway station. We’ve secured a partnership with Comboios de Portugal so that you’ll get these special discounts:
Please keep your Amplifest tickets until the end of the trip, as they might be necessary to validate the discount. More info on these discounts here.
And, apart from regular taxis, both Bolt and Uber operate in Portugal.
Where does Amplifest take place?
Hard Club is (and always has been) Amplifest’s main venue. This year, however, we’ll start with a show at Serralves Museum and at Ferro Bar for two shows and one DJ set on Friday, September 22. On Sunday, September 24, we’ll also have a documentary screening at Batalha Centro de Cinema.
Can I go by car? Where can I park?
You might find a bit of traffic, mostly on Friday, but nothing too extreme. If you’re feeling lucky, there’s an indoors parking lot right in front of Hard Club.
Are there places to stay within walking distance?
The Hard Club venue is located in an area that’s always full of life and tourists, so it’s likely that you’ll stay at a place close to it. Even if it’s a little further away, we highly suggest you enjoy the walk and Porto’s streets.
Is there camping?
Amplifest is right at the heart of Porto. It’s an urban festival through and through, so there aren’t any camping areas.
Amplifest’s Venue(s)
Is there an ATM inside Hard Club?
There is no machine inside Hard Club, but you have some options nearby, for instance in Rua Mouzinho da Silveira.
Is there food at the venue? Can I bring food/drinks inside?
You can bring your own food and drinks to the common areas, but not inside the actual rooms where the shows take place. On the upper floor you’ll find a restaurant that will serve you some sandwiches if you don’t want to miss a riff or a warm meal if you want a more relaxed dinner. There are some bars inside both rooms where you can get your drinks, while the bar just outside the venue serves food as well.
Please note that neither the restaurant or bars are our responsibility. If you want to go upstairs to enjoy an Amplitalk, remember that the restaurant’s staff may ask that you to finish your drink (or put it down) first.
Is there food suitable for me if I have allergies/restrictions?
Please check Hard Club’s menu or mention your restrictions when ordering your food.
How old do I have to be to drink alcohol? Can I bring my alcoholic drinks outside?
The drinking age in Portugal is 18. Carrying drinks outside is perfectly fine.
How about other drugs? And medicine?
Weed is not legal in Portugal, nor are hard drugs. You can bring any pills/medication with you as long as you have a prescription.
Can I smoke inside?
You cannot smoke inside the venue, only outside.
Is there Wi-Fi?
There’s Wi-Fi at Hard Club so please share your Instagram, Facebook and Twitter posts with us. Use the #amplifest hashtag. At the same time, we’d love for you to simply enjoy the shows and just take in the amazing environment that you’ll witness in the mainfloor.
I lost/found something. What should I do?
If you lose something during Amplifest, please warn the staff at the “Amplioffice”. If you find something please deliver it there as well.
Will there be merch for sale?
There will be band merch, records and t-shirts stalls, etc., but we can’t promise you that all bands will bring their merch (some may decide that it’s not worth it due to logistics and/or Portuguese taxes).
Which payment methods are available for merch, food, etc?
Good ol’ cash (Euros) always works. Additional payment options (debit card, Paypal, etc.) are the responsibility of the venue and of each merch seller.
I have a disability. Is the venue accessible for me?
There are no stairs and our audience is respectful, so you should be able to enjoy the shows. However, please be mindful that there is no separate area for people with disabilities nor are there specially-equipped restrooms. Please contact us through email at amp@amplificasom.com if you need help with this issue.
Can I leave and reenter the venue?
As long as you keep your wristband on, you can even leave and reenter the country 🙂
Are there lockers or a cloakroom available?
There are two cloakrooms (marked in the picture above) where you can drop your stuff for a small fee, but try not to bring any luggage or bags with you if possible.
Do I need earplugs?
As a rule of thumb, you should always wear earplugs at heavy music shows, but Sunn O))) in particular have built a reputation of being extremely loud. We’ll distribute foam earplugs to anyone who needs them. However, buying your own earplugs would be a good idea, as there are many different types and both the protection provided and the sound quality while wearing them can vary.
Is first aid available at the venue?
Yes, please alert the staff or the “Amplioffice” by the entrance in case you need support.
Media
I want to cover Amplifest. How should I proceed?
Send us a request through press@amplificasom.com with all the necessary info: day(s) you wish to cover, publication name and language, your name and role (writer, photographer…), etc. This has to be done by September 8 and we’ll reply as soon as possible.
I’m a photographer/videographer and I can provide my services. Are you interested in hiring me?
We’re sorry, but we already have a team of our own who will do the coverage.
Can I take pictures/film during the shows?
We understand that everything’s posted on social media nowadays, but please keep it to the very minimum and be mindful of the artists and of the people around you. On the mainfloor, please be respectful and ask permission before doing close-ups/portraits.
Professional cameras are not allowed unless you have a pass.
What is the Exhibition mentioned below the line-up?
We like to have exhibitions from artists that work with visual media. In 2023, we’re displaying Zé Burnay‘s amazing illustrations.
Who’s responsible for Amplifest’s artwork?
The person behind the Amplifest artwork since 2015 is the incredibly talented Micaela Amaral.