Xand Avião brings forró to Rio’s Carnaval at Carnarildy

The forró king stormed one of Rio de Janeiro’s top Carnaval parties on Sunday (15), bringing the Northeastern rhythm where samba usually reigns.Xand Avião turned Carnarildy into a forró dance floor. The singer brought accordion, triangle and zabumba to one of Rio’s hottest Carnaval celebrations, consolidating the genre’s expansion beyond Northeastern borders.The performance marks a significant cultural shift. Forró, traditionally linked to June festivals and Brazil’s Northeast, now dominates Rio de Janeiro’s Carnaval calendar — a scene historically tied to samba and marchinha.Rio’s audience embraced the rhythm. The party, held last Sunday in the state capital, proved that forró knows no boundaries or seasonal limits. The accordion’s sound shared space with Carnaval beats, creating a unique fusion.The artist’s strength outside the Northeastern circuit reflects the genre’s popularization across Brazil. Carnarildy joins the list of events betting on musical diversity during the festivities, breaking paradigms and expanding sonic horizons.Photo: Lucas Facundo