Gilberto Gil, one of the icons of tropicalism, concludes his final tour at 83 years old

Surrounded by his loved ones, the artist and former Culture Minister interpreted his classics and paid tribute to his daughter Preta Gil, who passed away last July.

Published on 03/29/2026 at 12:37

Reading time: 2 minutes

A monument of Brazilian music, Gilberto Gil concluded his “ultimate tour” on Saturday, March 28 with a festive concert lasting over three hours in front of 50,000 people in Sao Paulo, at 83 years old. The composer revolutionized Brazilian music during the military dictatorship (1964-1985), alongside Caetano Veloso and Chico Buarque, by creating tropicalism, a musical genre that blends samba and bossa nova with rock and pop.

Surrounded by his musician children and grandchildren, he thrilled his fans at the Palmeiras stadium on Saturday with classics like “Palco,” “Vamos fugir,” “Andar com você,” and “Aquele abraço.” Emotionally moved yet smiling, he spoke a few words in memory of his daughter Preta Gil, who passed away in July 2025, to whom he dedicated this tour.

One of the highlights of the show was “A paz” (Peace), which he performed with his grandchildren Flor and Bento Gil, aged 16 and 22, ending the song by forming a peace sign with his fingers. The concert also featured a video appearance by Chico Buarque, who shared the story of “Cálice,” a song about censorship during the dictatorship era.

With his unwavering voice and guitar talent, Gilberto Gil once again demonstrated his vitality and skill, leading his friend Caetano Veloso to describe him as a “true Brazilian musician” of their generation. The artist, who also served as the Minister of Culture under President Lula from 2003 to 2008, plans to continue performing but on a smaller and less frequent scale.