I went to KC Klubovna on October 3 to cover Ão’s first-ever show in the Czech Republic, and I left impressed. I was curious about how their blend of art pop, electronics and Portuguese influences would come together on stage. What surprised me was the energy they brought to it. There was delicacy in the music, but there was also movement, rhythm and a presence that made this an amazing night to capture.

The Belgian quartet opened Prague OuttaBox, a new concert series introducing international artists whose music crosses genres and cultures. Ão were a strong introduction to that idea. Their sound gives you several things to connect with, and watching them perform brought those different elements into focus.

Brenda Corijn’s vocals were divine. That was my reaction on the night, and it still is when I look back through the footage. Drawing on her Portuguese-Mozambican roots and singing in Portuguese and English, she brought a warmth and feeling that pulled me into the performance. You don’t have to understand every word to connect with the way she delivers it.

But this was the work of a whole band. Siebe Chau’s guitar, Jolan Decaestecker’s electronics and Bert Peyffers’ percussion gave Brenda’s voice a rich setting. Each part contributed something distinct, and together they moved between intimate passages and moments that made you want to move with them.

Three Captures, Three Ways Into the Night

I created three videos from the show, each catching a different part of what impressed me.

“Malandra,” the title track from their second album, gives you a taste of the band’s musical world. Guitar, electronics, percussion and vocals come together in a performance that shows why I wanted to document this night in the first place.

For “Cinza,” I brought you closer. That tight side-angle shot of Brenda singing into the microphone captured something intimate. I described it as her breathing light into the microphone because that’s what the moment felt like to me. Watching her delivery from that angle made the connection between her expression and her voice even stronger.

Then there was the drum session. Bert was going OFF!!! The energy was awesome, Brenda was moving around like a panther, and the rest of the band kept it flowing. Before we closed out, she hit us with those vocals again. That moment brought together two things I loved about the performance: the physical energy of the band and the beauty of her voice.

These three captures give you different views of the same night. One brings you into the song, one brings you close to the singer, and one lets you feel the band letting loose.

Just as Cool After the Show

Meeting them afterward added another reason to appreciate Ão. They were just as cool in person as they had been on stage. Brenda was so down to earth, and that stayed with me. After watching a performance with that much presence, it was good to meet the people behind it and find that warmth there too.

I was quite surprised by how much this show gave me. The vocals, the rhythms, Brenda’s movement and the energy of all four musicians made Ão’s Czech debut a night worth documenting. Then the conversation afterward made it feel even more personal.

Watch the three videos included here, take a look through my photographs, and get a feel for what I saw. Ão came to Prague for the first time, and they gave me plenty of reasons to catch them again.

Ão — Live at KC Klubovna, Prague
October 3, 2026 · Opening night of Prague OuttaBox
Brenda Corijn — Vocals
Siebe Chau — Guitar
Jolan Decaestecker — Electronics
Bert Peyffers — Percussion

Discover the band: https://www.ao-band.com
All my photographs from the night: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD6DnM

Words, photography and video by ChuckDiesal.