Zelândia

Zelândia formed in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island in 1990, with founding members Vítor Furtado, João Faria, and Zé Henrique. They signed with Polygram Records in 1997 and released their debut album 'O Primeiro' the following year. Their sound drew from pop rock and folk, with some traditional Azorean elements mixed in.

Their 2000 song '30 de Outubro' became their most recognizable track, spending fifteen weeks at the top of the Portuguese charts. Other songs like 'Calo' and 'O Que É Bom' also found an audience. The band released several albums in quick succession, including 'Horizonte' in 1999 and 'Tão Perto' in 2002.

In 2002, their song 'Carta Aberta' drew attention for its lyrics about the September 11 attacks. The core trio of Furtado, Faria, and Henrique remained constant through various lineup changes. They performed at festivals like Rock in Rio and the Lusofonia Festival, building a following in Portugal and reaching listeners in Brazil and Spain.