It all began in a grandmother’s basement on the island of Madeira, where five friends: Francisco Sousa (guitar), João Guilherme Gomes (vocals, guitar), Diogo Góis (bass), João Rodrigues (drums), and João Lourenço Gomes (piano) formed a band in 2013. Originally called ‘Men On The Couch’ they drew inspiration from the raw energy of the Arctic Monkeys and Red Hot Chili Peppers, the timeless melodies of The Beatles, and the poetic sensitivity of Caetano Veloso and Tom Jobim. Their first released single “Se Eu Morresse Amanhã” .

As their music gained traction on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, the band began to take things more seriously. They relocated to mainland Portugal, shifted from English to Portuguese lyrics, and in 2019 recorded their debut album ‘Senso Comum’ at Blacksheep Studios in Sintra. The release led to a series of performances, particularly in Funchal and Lisbon, marking a new chapter for the band.

Evolving both musically and in identity, the group rebranded as NAPA and released their second album, Logo Se Vê (We'll See), in 2023. This was followed by their first major tour across Portugal in 2024, playing festivals and venues in cities throughout the mainland. Their journey has been fuelled by grassroots support—the debut album was crowdfunded in 2019, and their 2024 tour sold out entirely.

NAPA’s rising trajectory reached a new high with their participation in Festival da Canção, Portugal’s national selection for Eurovision. In a fiercely competitive final, NAPA secured the majority of points, earning the honour of representing Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel.

Song:  Deslocado
Writer(s):  João Guilherme Gomes
Composer(s):  André Santos,  Diogo Góis, Francisco Sousa, João Guilherme Gomes, João Lourenço Gomes & João Rodrigues
Broadcaster: RTP

NAPA gives voice to the emotions felt by many young Portuguese who leave the countryside in search of opportunity in the city. Their song captures a deep sense of longing, for home, for family and the disorientation that comes with navigating life in a big, often impersonal urban environment. Their participation in Festival da Canção sparked a wave of excitement on social media, especially among young people from Madeira and across Portugal, who saw their own stories reflected in the music.

I came from far away
I came from the middle of the sea, in the heart
From the ocean I have my whole life
I make my way thinking of returning
To my home, island, peace, Madeira

With its calm, introspective tone, the song stands out for its quiet beauty. Yet in a competition filled with high-energy, attention-grabbing performances, there’s a risk it could be overlooked. Still, it’s precisely this understated emotional depth that resonates so powerfully with listeners.