Earlier this month he donated the proceeds of his CD sales to the municipality of Pedrógão Grande, which recently endured tragic wildfires that killed more than 60 people and plunged Portugal into a state of national mourning.
And on Tuesday Salvador Sobral continued to aid the embattled region by headlining the “Juntos Por Todos” (Together for Everyone) relief concert inside Lisbon’s MEO Arena.
The noted jazz star had the honour of closing the show, which featured 25 artists and raised more than 1.15 million euros for the people of Pedrógão Grande.
He performed a beautiful rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You”, showing the fragility and vulnerability that helped him win Eurovision in May.
The touching lyrics honoured those Portugal has lost and suggested their legacy will live on.
As he sang: “I remember that time that you told me, you said, ‘Love is touching souls.’ Surely you touched mine ’cause part of you pours out of me, in these lines from time to time.”
He then turned to “Amar pelos dois”, the track that secured Portugal its first-ever Eurovision win in nearly 50 attempts.
As ever the audience, which included 14,000 live spectators, erupted in applause — to which Salvador gave a rather cheeky response.
“I have the feeling that you will applaud anything I do,” he said. “If I give a fart, I want to see what you do.”
The spur-of-the-moment comment drew plenty of applause from the audience, but also a few whistles of disapproval.
Social media has been particularly divided. Some users see the comment as an extension of Salvador’s quirky and endearing personality, while others have described the remark as “unpleasant and completely unnecessary” during such a solemn event.
NIT.pt joked that “it remains to be seen if Salvador gave the fart as promised” while Twitter user Gonçalo Sousa said, “Music isn’t fireworks. It’s fartworks.”
Twitter user Shadow Moon said “the man that divided Eurovision divided Portugal” with the off-colour comment.
"Music isn't fireworks. It's fartworks."
Salvador Sobral dixit
— Gonçalo Sousa (@goncalosousa) June 28, 2017
Salvador Sobral, the man that divided Eurovision, divided Portugal asking the public, DURING A CHARITY CONCERT, if they'd clap if he farted.
— shoot (@firecrackerroot) June 28, 2017
Salvador apologises
On Wednesday the bohemian artist publicly apologised for his comments.
Writing on Facebook he said: “I’ve always spoken twice before thinking.”
“This characteristic of mine has its good part and also the bad part. Yesterday, unfortunately, I acknowledge that I was rather inappropriate.
I hope that this sad speech will not make us forget the step we have taken together, from the musicians to you who have helped to help those who are suffering at the moment, which are the most important in the midst of all this.”
“I’m sorry if I offended anyone, honestly. It wasn’t my intention. It never was.”
Regardless of where you stand on the matter, the comment helped drive Salvador Sobral to second on Twitter Portugal’s trending charts — a place he still held as of this morning.
The top trending item remains Juntos Por Todos, which no doubt benefitted from the presence of Portugal’s artist-of-the-moment.
Other artists performing included Agir, Amor Electro, Ana Moura, Aurea, Camané, Carlos do Carmo, Carminho, DAMA, David Fonseca, Diogo Piçarra, Gisela João, Hélder Moutinho, João Gil, Jorge Palma, Luísa Sobral , Luis Represas, Matias Damásio, Miguel Araújo, Paulo Gonzo, Pedro Abrunhosa, Raquel Tavares, Rita Redshoes, Rui Veloso and Sérgio Godinho.
What do you make of the controversy? Was the remark appropriate? Given that Salvador helped raise more than a million euros for those in need does it matter? Let us know in the comments box below.
@Dante – I guess that is what happens when you live in a family where the sister does the hard work, and the brother is the prince.
Yes, I’ve lived in such a family, the boy can do no wrong, if he can brush his teeth – he is a hero, and the outcome is that he is dumb asf, and he has no clue. S.Sobral will keep making mistakes, the world is his playground, he knows no other reality.
Salvador’s joke was inappropriate, but he didn’t offend the victims and his rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You” was one of the most touching moments of the whole concert. Other singers that participated in the event were much more disrespectful IMO… Carlos do Carmo singing “even if a swallow dies, the spring doesn’t end” or Miguel Araújo singing “even if I have to die here (…) come with me to see the cars on the street, ripping through the curves, burning tyres”! Nobody cared about that… only about Salvador’s “fait divers”. I’m not saying that his choice of… Read more »
such a disrespectful attitude, but i cant say i’m surprised, he didnt respect anybody in esc either
Concert for those lost in Portugal summer farts, I mean, fires
This is such a horrible horrible joke. What you just wrote is far worst what Salvador could ever do or say. I wonder how you can sleep at night. I just hope that you or nobody you love (if there is someone…) will be in such situation. And all this just because you don’t like a song… Disgusting!
At least Ucrap is not esc winner with thousands of fans 😉
That doesn’t make it any better. And besides, Salvador’s joke was not about the tragedy as this stupid moron did.
Ucrap, Portugal has summer farts, but your sh*tty multiculti country has terrorist farts. Way worse.
BREAKING NEWS: THE TOLMACHEVY SISTERS WILL PERFORM THE US ANTHEM IN PRESENCE OF TRUMP AT A CAPITOL FOURTH AIRING ON PBS (THEY WILL ALSO SING SOLEIL, THE FRENCH VERSION OF SHINE AND WILL COMFIRM PARTICIPATION TO REPRESENT BELARUS IN 2018 EUROVISION).
It sounded vaguely believable until the Belarus part. Nice try, troll.
Sorry to be that guy but did this happen in Manchester? Did anyone of the artists make it about themselves? Did anyone try to make any kind of joke? The event was lighthearted yes but that doesn’t mean anyone should crack jokes. And yes he raised money but so did others. He alone didn’t draw attention to the event and he alone didn’t raise money. There were 24 others before him who raised it to. To say it’s all about him plays right up his idea that people are sheep. Rasing money for charities and caring about refugees doesn’t excuse… Read more »
Why so much anger?
If you can’t stand audience cheering, then you should find new job, lol
The audience were screaming, singing along, shouting excitingly. How inappropriate of them during a relief concert! Even the announcers were smiling sometimes when a new artist came on the stage. How dare they! What would the family of the casualties think about that?! Comedy, humor is an important ingredient for finding relief in the darkest of times. A joke related to fire/casualties/wounded would have been inappropriate. This was just a remark to make the sad evening a bit lighthearted. There was no negative intention in it. People making remarks that this wouldn’t happen in Manchester: People were singing along there,… Read more »
Yes, but there is a difference between singing along and making bad jokes. Any joke would have been wrong and Manchester artists realised that. You are there to remember people who died.
What’s so wrong with saying a simple thank you? Who asked him to make a joke?
Jokes are all about the intent. He obviously didn’t intended to make a funny remark on behalf of the victims or everyone that is hurt. You can remember the ones who died differently, either with complete sadness and sereneness, or with lightheartedness, joyfulness etc.. Manchester had both, Portugal had both.
There is not much wrong with it, but yeah it may be ‘wiser’ if he didn’t do it, because of people like you who don’t count the intention within the remark.
Can we just agree that Amar pelos dois is a decent winner (not necessarily the best), but that poor Salvador is not so smart?
I guess that is what happens when you live in a family where the sister does the hard work, and the brother is the prince.
Now this is what I call to find a compromise 🙂 Good negotiation skills. I would agree if this constant Salvador bashing and whining about his victory would stop… (Would be one of the best winning songs for me, though, at least in this century) 😉
PS: I think is not a question of not being smart, is that he is completely ill-suited to deal with fame and this might indeed destroy his career. The backlash in Portugal was huge. Rumour has it that it was Luísa that made him apologize, saying that what he did was totally unacceptable.
He can’t deal with fame, but in personal life he should not act like this either.
Salvador must accept that at least for one year, he is Portugal.
If he does not understand this, and if he does not take responsibility for his country’s image, many Portuguese citizens will have a hard time trying to polish his mess.
I agree that he should be more careful in his public appearances and be more contained in his statements. Less would be more… Maybe he could use some coaching.
watching the video and i understand why he said it. At the moment when he was making the trumpet, people would not stop bothering with shouts and applause.So, are you going to the concert to listen to music or to disturb the singer? It is clear that thanks for the applause, but at the time, at the end, and not during the song and repeatedly.
Who’sy-What’sy? lol Is someone questioning precious Salvador’s intelligence? He was just mocking the audience at a charity concert. Nothing out of the ordinary. lmao
In spanish we say “calladito te ves más bonito” (shutted up you look prettier) meaning that is better to not say something that can bring you trouble. There are moments for jokes, and this wasn’t one of them. He is getting a reputation for being arrogant and disrespectful. First towards artists in ESC, now even to his fans.
Hi !SALVADOR APOLOGISES” I’m sorry if I offended anyone, honestly. It wasn’t my intention. It never was” thank you
He like “Occidentali’s Karma” “Citylights” “Black birds”
I think he’s just not the right one to be famous. He doesn’t want to accept that, unfortunately, he wasn’t famous prior to Eurovision and now that he’s won Eurovision, doing what he doesn’t consider to be special coming from himself, he is. And he’s that underground, indie artist that can’t help but say everything he thinks about mainstream culture. It wasn’t about joking nor egoism, but a totally true comment that might have been kind of uncalled for in that serious moment.
This is the most valid argument. Salvador never wants to be famous. He thinks of music as a piece of art that can be appreciated and he wants his to be appreciated that’s it. However, music is an industry, fame comes along with great appreciation, and he is certainly unprepared.
I do think by apologising he started to learn to deal with fame abit.
So when’s the fart coming out?
LOL …. people should lighten up !!
Drama = clicks
People were right to disapprove. It was not the right moment to make a boring joke. The event wasn’t about Salvador or his songs, it was about 64 people who burned to death. Yet Salvador somehow thinks it’s all bout him and somehow thinks it’s alright to make a so called joke.
And then people get offended when others won’t laugh..
Actually the joke was about the ones who still aplaude him after his bad and inopportune joke. That´s the great irony. ahhah Even inopportune what he said is truly accurate, people blindly worship him and give him the permission and justify every one of his “verbal farts” because he conquer the first Eurovision victory for Portugal, and of course entitled him to act like a spoiled child and a narcissistic Diva. I’m sure he had not intention to offend anyone, he is only a childish “fast food” pop star, the Portuguese “Bieber of Jazz” that don´t have to conquer the… Read more »
It wasn’t the right moment to say that, but let’s face it — people were applauding every 30 seconds for whatever reason. He just said that even if he did something quite inappropriate, which he did, they would applaud anyway. Guess what? They did applaud for his comment. So he just proved his point.
My point exactly.
Yes, I agree with you. After each artist presentation, the commentators were always shouting the same: let´s applaud X, let´s applaud Y…after 1000 times that was absurd . Perhaps before his actuation he felt that the public was applauding just for applauding. He has already apologised and recognised that his comment was not appropriate, so everything is ok.
And his interpretation of “a case of you” was just Fabulous!
I can tell you’re not portuguese. People were not applauding every second, i was there. Everyone behaved well. There were people who didnt give big applause to more unknown artists who were there, those artists didnt whine or complain.
He didn’t prove a point. The fact that he acknowledged and said he didnt mean it, says it all. You’re proving his point by trying to defend his disrespectful attitude. The sheeps will always defend him, no matter what he does. Yes buddy, you’re included in the list.
Salvador is like Eurovision’s Donald Trump.
Everytime he his news it’s about a stupid thing that he said, that’s to God that Salvador doesn’t use twitter
Hi ! Salvador support LGBT marrige and refugee human right and Green energy .thank you .bye
I am reminded of the Gerald Ratner speech of 1991 when he “joked” that the reason his company’s products were so cheap was because they were “total crap”. The result, he wiped £500 million from the value of Ratners jewellers. And now with his own “joke” Sobral has also belittled the taste of his fans, some of who will be alienated. William is right that the important thing is the money he raised, but I don’t think he’s going to make so much money next time. On the other hand, my appetite has been whetted for the further gaffes which… Read more »
Actually the money “he raised” was raised by other 24 artists too ( and many other were not able to participate due to the extend of the concert ). He was the final act, and by the time most of the money was already collected. I´m sure if his joke was not at the end of the concert many people would turn off the Tv after it. Supporting refugees or giving money to any cause, or winning Eurovision, does not entitle anyone to be a jerk.
I guess when they mean “he raised” they also mean the money from the cds sold at his concerts which went to the victims of the fire as well, and which is separate from the charity concert.
I actually saw the video again. He made this joke after imitating the trumpet and after people applauding to that. I think what he really meant was “Hey guys, you are too kind to me, you applaud even if I do silly things”. It’s a bit silly humour and of course it was not very appropriate for such a big event (it was transmitted by all the three major broadcasters) but it was not ill-founded.
What a SNOB!!! If it had been Manel everyone would be quick to judge.!!!
Is true that Manel Navarro would have been crucified, but time will tell if Salvador fans like his humor.
If it had been Manel people wouldn’t be applauding in the first place
This article is NOT very accurate. Most people in Portugal are crucifying Salvador for what he did, everyone is hurt and angry, saying that this will not be good for his career, which is true tbh.
.. Or … are you trying to convince yourself of such statements of high disapproval from the Portuguese audience attending live and watching home because … somewhere in between the lines .. you could never stand the fact that he won Eurovision against something more pop-commercial-bubblegum-disposable that you worship until the bublegum runs out of sugar?
No charles, i support salvador since the beginning. I also dont need to convince myself, you could read and see peoples reactions on the internet. I don’t even listen to pop. Stop projecting your insecurities on others, you just dont wanna admit that everyone literally thought he was rude.
So even Salvador knows….his song didn’t deserve to win. At least he’s not lost insight.
Wat. He didn’t even say that. And he did deserve to win, you’re still whining in July? christ, get some medication.
Humor is a tool that help alleviate the pain in moments of grief like the one Portugal is living right now. It’s sad that some people get offended by a joke.
This article is feeding the haters and the hypocrites.
Salvador, realizes that it was an inconvenience, and he apologize to anyone who was offended, he is human. The public reacted well, with applause and laughter.
Now I wonder if the offended are those who used the hashtag years ago #JeSuisCharlie.
“This article is feeding the haters and the hypocrites.” That’s why Wiwibloggs posted it in the first place. Clicks and hate comments which brings more comments. They took weeks to post about Alexander Search but with this “controversial” news they were very fast. I really like Wiwibloggs but this is the only complain I have about them… I wish the site was a nicer, friendly and less hateful/controversial for the clicks
*rolling eyes*
why this is a new here? There are already closed minds enough in Portugal.
People were more shocked by the word “fart”, if they had understand what Salvador wants mean…
As a famous philosopher said: “si ya saben cómo me pongo pa’ qué me invitan”
watch the video and you’ll understand why he said it. At the moment when he was making the trumpet, people would not stop bothering with shouts and applause.So, are you going to the concert to listen to music or to disturb the singer? It is clear that thanks for the applause, but at the time, at the end, and not during the song and repeatedly. And now that this issue comes out, in the Eurovision final there is a moment when Salvador was singing at the beginning, because suddenly for no reason the people started to scream, and that annoyed… Read more »
I’m sure it sounds prettier in Portuguese.
Anyway, storm in a teacup. Salvador’s good character is beyond reproach!
oh boy, I think I love him more now.
Make Farts Smelling Again!
Lol, toda a gente sabe q és tuga.
Eu sou italiano mas eu falo português.
This is when you do not build a chain of hearts …
And what a stunning performance!!!!
this is a victory for real farts, lets make farts real again , prrrrp *applause*
That means that you are soooo real!!! Ufff…
farts are not fireworks, farts are feelings!!
well and you “fart for two”, as stinky as you are…
The fart can always be more natural than the fastfood music.
Unless you inhale it through your butthole and push it out again. I do that sometimes and it aint’ natural.
I became such a fan of Salvador. He and Luísa delivered such wonderful things and became instant national heroes. I also like his child-like innocence, which is part of his talent. And… children do say inappropriate things… We can laugh about it, preferably not in front of them and the behaviour shouldn’t be encouraged. But in essence he is such a talented and wonderful human being and this is what counts.
He’s an entitled snob, just as he was in Kiev. He’ll return to obscurity in a few months which I guess is what he desires. Will be glad to forget him.
I love him, at least he speaks his mind unlike most artists who are only capable of platitudes like “Oh my god, you guys are the best audience I’ve ever had!” (and it’s true that most audience would cheer and applause to literally anything).
He’ll probably return to obscurity in a few months, but that’s not due to his brutally honest comments: it’s just like that for literally all ESC winners. 😉
I fully agree on the platitudes. But he will never ever return to obscurity for what he has done (at least in Portugal), unless he does a Greta Garbo… 🙂
What has Greta Garbo did?
In the height of her career she decided to retire and hide in an apartment in New York until she died. Only in very rare occasion has she been spotted in the street.
Thank you! Don’t think Salvador will do that!
Lol everyone will keep saying that but right now he’s being more talked than any of the other 2017 contestants, worldwide trend honeeey
you guys confuse negative fame with positive fame
salvador is being talked because he acts like a jerk, or maybe because of the rumours about his health
i doubt anybody talks about his music (people dont know any of his songs apart from amar pelos dois)
Regardless of this or other episodes, Salvador has a super positive fame, at least in his country, where he wants to develop his career. His concerts are all sold out until October and yesterday 15.000 people sang the song… Don’t confuse the ESC community with the rest of the world.
I am also glad that the haters will forget him, as well as in the way that I do not vomit just from reading the comments of the haters 🙂
Christopher as a portuguese i honestly hope karma will get him and people stop attending his concerts. He will then be begging for them to come back, it’s what he deserves tbh. I’m tired of disrespectful, immature attitudes from him. He has plenty of concerts in Portugal and chose to say this in this particular event. Says it all.
You are a horrible person! Full of hate and envy, Hope the karma will get you!
Disrespectful are the comments of politicians such as Passos Coelho that lied on tv (and what a lie…) That, I think should have socked people, not a silly comment made by an artist that is not yet confortable with the fame.
Lol
His consistency is praiseworthy!
While he again is inappropriate at least he is giving me the satisfaction of stepping onto his “loyal” fans. Gotta love the guy!
Ultimately he helped raise 1.15 million euros for a region in need. If anything his comments drew more attention to the concert. People will no doubt bash – and indeed his comment was perhaps slightly out of place — but he’s helped so many people by appearing. That’s what’s most important.
Thanks, William. Couldn’t agree more 😉
Hoo! So disrespect toward the people that support you is ok if it is during charity event since it is considered publicity stunt? I hope that all his fans get it 😀
I don’t think he should have apologized. There were lots solemn moments tributes to the victims. The concert wasn’t that. It was about getting a country together to raise money to support the families of the victims. The vibe was positive and the crowds were happy. Salvador was just himself, and the crowd laughed with him and did not feel offended. Criticism came from only a few Salvador haters on social media after the press picked up on “Salvador makes joke about farting in charity concert”. If anything, he could be criticized for making that moment about him and not… Read more »
Oh please WILLIAM i understand you like him but srsly! As a portuguese all i have to say is: This didnt happen in Manchester, with artists that are MUCH better than him. Noel Gallagher didn’t attend the concert which was fine, but liam did and it was wonderful, he performed with Chris Martin. Heck, even bieber(who i hate) gave a wonderful speech about love. I wonder why Salvador couldn’t give a speech in the middle of his performance dedicated to the victims, just like he did in Eurovision or Venezuela? I used to defend him but I’M DONE. He’s immature,… Read more »
I agree with you, Julio. He’s so full of himself and the people defending him are the ones who would actually applaud if he farted.
I really hope something like “You are the only one” or “I can’t go on” wins in Portugal. I want to see his face when he has to give a trophy to the winner lol
Probably he would fart on that and so would I and many people because this sh*tty fast food music gives bad gases.
Bart, when arguments are lacking, people with a lack of culture and knowledge will resort to insults. I get that but i find it ironic. Your fast food reply is definitely a reflection of Salvadors fanbase, and that’s not a compliment. He’s right, you’re sheeps.
1.5 million euros with Luísa and other 23 artists, plus the proceeds of the CDs sold at his concerts.
Oh God… Another session of Salvador bashing coming along in these comments… Go ahead. Bust him…
Another session of people like you, defending Salvador, no matter what he does, coming along in these comments. Which only proves he’s right.
Wow … your struggle to make sure thew whole galaxy knows how much you hate Salvador is really on a roll … are you being paid to do this? Cause I never saw so much commitment to even let Pluto, the lost planet, know with all details that a) You hate the guy b) You want Portugal to hate the guy c) You don’t care if the true winner of Eurovision was the song he sang and not necessarily himself …. d) You want Eurovision to be made up of all the disposable pop only … or something bad is… Read more »
Charles, i wish i was paid. Are you though? cause i see you praising and defending Salvador on every article. I don’t hate the guy, i’m criticizing his attitude. I really dont know where you got those ideas but, whatever floats your boat. Charles is probably the lawyer of the Sobral family guys LOL
He needs more defending than attacking, especially in the ESC community. People like you, that clearly prefer all the pre-arranged soulless fabricated anglo-centric pop, are finding all sorts of pretexts to nail him on the cross.
Where, did i state that i preferred anglo pop. Why, are you accusing everyone that criticizes salvador of being a bubblegum pop lover. Also, why are you pretending to be bart, i think it’s clear so far that Charles+Bart are the same person.
If these people can’t take a joke about a fart then they really have no sense of humor or chill…
We would have chilled …. if this was one of his tiny theatre room concerts cause that’s his thing .. we find it hard to chill … hadn’t more than 60 people died burnt out of what happened in Pedrogão Grande … imagine one of your family relatives was among the victims … would you laugh at any bodily oriented joked Salvador said?
Yeah on second thought you’re right. It was the wrong atmosphere for such a joke.