FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is OUT.FEST?

Started in 2004, OUT.FEST is an annual festival celebrating adventurous and experimental music in all its diversity (improvised music, electronics, jazz, contemporary classical music, new idioms, etc etc etc), gathering and mapping, in its programme, music vanguard’s history, present and future.

OUT.FEST usually happens in the beginning of October and lasts for 3 to 4 days, taking over several official and improvised venues across Barreiro, a city just across the Tagus River from Lisbon, which used to be the country’s main industrial city and a major railway hub up until the 1990’s. More than 70 different spaces have been used in the festival’s history, with several more still to be discovered.

A typical OUT.FEST Saturday involves an afternoon filled with shows throughout 3 or 4 simultaneous venues (all walking distance from each other), and culminates, after dinner, in a non-stop concert marathon lasting until sunrise (clubbing included). Each year we programme around 30 artists from every corner of the world in the most diverse genres imaginable - from free jazz to drone music, weird electronic beats to improvised folk, extreme metal, ambient, you name it (oftentimes we can’t really characterize our artists in any pre-existing genre, honestly. And that’s the way it’s supposed to be!).

OUT.FEST is organized by OUT.RA, a non-profit based in Barreiro which, besides the festival, organizes a wealth of other exciting projects and events around adventurous sound & music which you can check here. The festival is supported by the Barreiro Municipality and the Portuguese Arts Council, and co-curated by our friends Filho Único.

When does OUT.FEST take place?

The 20th (!) edition of OUT.FEST will take place between the 2 and 6 of October, 2024.

Where does OUT.FEST take place? 

OUT.FEST takes place in Barreiro, Portugal, and typically features more than 30 performances in at least 6 or 7 different venues / spaces (most of them around the city center - library auditoriums, churches, jazz clubs, old ballrooms, small theaters, watermills, train workshops and everything in between). Audiences are invited to explore new music and discover our decidedly non-touristy city with a fresh set of eyes and ears. non-touristy, de olhos e ouvidos bem abertos. 

Who will play this year's edition of OUT.FEST?

Discover OUT.FEST 2024’s full line-up here.

What are the dynamics of the festival? How long do the concerts last?

OUT.FEST’s dynamics vary greatly depending on the day and venue. On Saturday afternoons, for instance, the spectator is expected to make choices and devise an itinerary between the different artistic proposals and venues and discover new artists and spaces. Venues used in these periods have limited capacity and you are encouraged to arrive early if you really don’t want to miss THAT show (but if you do, there’s always another show to see just a short walk away). 

Nighttime concerts usually don’t overlap (though in some cases the rest time between shows is less than 5 min) and the festival experience is a more traditional one. 

In all cases, the standard duration of a show is around 40-45 min, which may vary depending on the artist and repertory.

How do I make sure I don't miss any festival updates?

Line-up additions and other festival news items are announced on this website, but the best way to stay up-to-date with festival news, tickets and programme updates is to subscribe to OUT.RA’s newsletter, and make sure to follow our Facebook and Instagram pages (especially while the festival is happening, when we’ll post any major updates or changes exclusively on our social networks).

I miss the festival! Is there a way to watch past performances?

Yes! We have recorded several festival performances over the last years, which we have gathered in our Videotheque at OUT.RA’s website (alongside videos from shows we’ve done outside the festival); some are full shows, some are excerpts coupled with interviews with the musicians. We are constantly publishing new videos, so be sure to check in from time to time - or subscribe to OUT.RA’s newsletter to be notified of new entries.

In the archive section you can also look back into each edition's line-up going back all the way to 2004.

Can I purchase any OUT.FEST merchandise?

OUT.FEST merchandise is available at festival venues. You can also check out OUT.RA’s webstore online for all OUT.FEST related merchandise, as well as records, books and the like associated with the festival and other projects of ours.

Where should I find accommodation?

As a decidedly non-touristy city (except during OUT.FEST of course), Barreiro has very few accommodation options (you can try here and here); however, Lisbon city center is a mere 20 min ferry ride away, and there’s a wealth of options available for you: Living Lounge Hostel offers a special discount to OUT.FEST patrons.  

Keep in mind that Barreiro-Lisbon ferries run each day from 5.05am to 1.30am, so there’s only a short window without service. OUT.FEST does offer a shuttle bus service after the end of the shows on Friday and Saturday night (departure around 2.30am), from the venue to Lisbon city center (find out more here).

Is public transportation available? 

Getting to Barreiro from Lisbon city center and back is just a 20 min ferry ride from Terreiro do Paço station. Ferries run each day from 5.05am to 1.30am, and you can check the full timetables here (pay attention to the differences between weekdays and weekends). 

On Friday and Saturday nights OUT.FEST offers a shuttle bus service back to Lisbon, departing near the venue after the last shows, at around 2.30 (but you can also stay for clubbing and grab one of the first morning ferries of course).

Inside Barreiro there’s a reliable public bus service, which you can use for free if you’re an OUT.FEST ticket-holder.

How do I get from one festival venue to another? 

Almost* all 2024 venues are in the city center, within a 10 min walking distance from each other. If you’re staying elsewhere in Barreiro, you can use the TCB public bus company for free if you’re an OUT.FEST ticket-holder (just show the driver your ticket or wristband upon entering the bus).

* Almost! Find out more here.

I really appreciate your work and would like to be able to support the festival, besides attending it. 

Despite doing OUT.FEST for almost twenty-years now we are still bursting with ideas that we and you would love to see happen. We are always looking for new ways to do what we do and to do it better, and the festival design and format are very open and always looking to be reconfigured and to accommodate new experiences, specific activities and projects - and of course we can’t do it without the support of our visitors and supporters.

If you want to support us, and help us to continue to grow and reconfigure our work on the same level as we did for the last two decades, you can make a donation via paypal to info@outra.pt.

Where can I buy tickets?

Global Passes and Day Tickets for OUT.FEST 2024 are available here. 

The Passes provide access to all of the festival’s shows, keeping in mind that when there are overlapping shows access is limited to the venues’ capacities.

What tickets do you offer?

Each year, we offer Global Festival Passes which give you access to all festival activities (please keep in mind the above regarding limited venue capacities when there are overlapping shows), as well as Single-Day Tickets.

How do tickets work?

All tickets (global passes or day tickets) must be exchanged by an official OUT.FEST wristband. We don’t accept reservations. 

Wristband exchange:

You can exchange your ticket for a wristband on several different places and venues, depending on the day (note that wristband exchange can ONLY be done at the places listed below for each day): 

• Day 2: At the venue [AMAC] (opens one hour before show's start)
• Day 3: At the venue [SIRB “Os Penicheiros”] (opens one hour before shows start)
• Day 4: At ADAO, open from 4pm.
• Day 5: Barreiro Municipal Library and SIRB “Os Penicheiros”, between 3pm and 7pm, and ADAO, from 8.30pm.
• Day 6: At the venue [SCR Paivense] (opens one hour before shows start)

The wristband will grant the holder access to concerts, depending on the capacity of each venue. The wristband is personal, not transferable and its use is mandatory. Make sure you arrive early at the venues for the most sought after concerts.

You must collect your individual wristband in person, as they need to be worn immediately. We accept printed tickets, but can also scan it from any mobile device.

Can I get a refund?

We can’t offer any refunds if the festival is going ahead on the date originally planned.

Cash on site

We accept cash on site at our box offices, merch stands and bars. There’s a handful of ATM machines in Barreiro city center, but you might want to take out money prior to arriving at the festival venues in any case.

Do you take credit or debit cards?

In some of OUT.FEST’s venues electronic payments may not be available. Please refer to the above section.

Are all festival venues accessible for people with disabilities?

OUT.FEST aims to be all-inclusive and accessible to everyone, but unfortunately not all venues we use are equally accessible. In this section, ‎‎you can verify which venues are prepared to accommodate people with physical accessibility difficulties.

If you have any questions about access to people with other physical or sensory disabilities, please don't hesitate to send us a message to outfest@outra.pt.

Light and Sound

Some of OUT.FEST’s shows may use strobe lights or smoke effects, and some may also display a volume of sound which can feel excessive to some people. We recommend that you bring auditory protection devices just in case.

Are there any free activities?

There are several free admission activities at OUT.FEST 2024. Find out more here.

Can children come on site? 

OUT.FEST is a 6+ festival, but unaccompanied underage children are not allowed at the festival. Passes / tickets will be required for any patrons aged 6+ years old. We do recommend that parents carefully check the full programme and make informed decisions on whether a specific show may or not feel appropriate for your children beforehand. We may also not be able to provide ear-plugs or other auditory protection, so we recommend you bring your own.

Will alcohol be available at each event/venue? Can I smoke inside? 

Most events will have a bar with beverages available, but some institutional venues may not be serving alcohol, nor allow its consumption under their premises. Each venue will have a sign with the restrictions. Smoking is not allowed in the vast majority of venues. If you have any concerns regarding a specific venue get in touch.

What about healthcare measures or safety and medical needs?

We have a CARE TEAM which is easily identifiable at venues, in case you need any medical attention or have issues relating to your physical and/or psychological well-being. If you can’t seem to find the CARE TEAM, please alert the festival staff, or a member of security staff and we will assist you. 

As for any healthcare recommendations and guidelines by national health authorities that may be in place at the time of the event, we will fully comply with those and provide all necessary information via this site and at the venues.

Is there a code of conduct? 

For 20 years, OUT.FEST has been a space for artistic exploration, social interaction, discovery, inclusion, diversity, and respect. However, as a social space, it is not immune to possible instances of discrimination and imbalances in power dynamics.

We have established values, rules, and commitments to be observed by all parties involved in the festival with the goal of ensuring the freedom and physical and moral integrity of all participants. Everyone involved in OUT.FEST shares this responsibility.

There will be zero tolerance for discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, place of birth, sex, gender, orientation, or age. Acts of violence, intimidation, or harassment will result in removal from the event with no possibility of re-entry or ticket refund.

By choosing to visit or participate in the festival, you agree to behave in harmony with the following values:

• Respect for others. Be guided by consent and respect the physical, emotional, and moral integrity of others. OUT.FEST involves and is open to a wide variety of people and musical projects; there is room for everyone. Respect others' privacy and personal and emotional boundaries, and do not assume they are the same as yours.
• Respect for the city. Barreiro is a city with little tourism, but its residents are generally very hospitable and take pride in welcoming visitors, appreciating the life they bring to the city streets. Be courteous and considerate of the city and its inhabitants.
• Respect for the event. Do not disrupt the work of artists and collaborators or the enjoyment of other attendees. Respect the equipment and spaces, signage, instructions from our staff, and use common sense.

If any situation arises that does not comply with the values mentioned above, or if you find yourself in a situation of physical or psychological discomfort, please reach out to a member of the festival team - OUT.FEST has a CARE TEAM that is easily identifiable in the venues, ready to respond.

As it’s not always easy or possible to report an incident in the moment, you can also contact us after the festival via the email address outfest@outra.pt to share your experience. You will receive a response as soon as possible. If you have any suggestions on how we can improve, do not hesitate to contact us through the same address.

We will do our best to ensure that we learn from any feedback, and we will strive to ensure that incidents or mistakes do not happen again.

Take care of yourself and those around you.

I would like to attend the festival as a journalist. How do I apply for accreditation? 

If you'd like to attend the festival to provide media coverage, get in touch with us and present the outlet for which you write and send us a festival coverage proposal. Please note that we cannot guarantee accreditation for everyone interested or for all shows, due to capacity issues.

I am an artist / I want to propose a partnership / I want to develop an idea at OUT.FEST / I have a suggestion. Who can I talk to?

All proposals should be addressed to outfest@outra.pt throughout the year. Keep in mind we usually define the festival format and start working on the programme between December and February each year.

Is your question still unanswered?

Get in touch by emailing us at outfest@outra.pt