Lusitanian Ghosts

Lusitanian Ghosts is an artist collective featuring ancient Portuguese chordophones and other European string instruments, promoting heritage folk sounds in the 21st century. Re-casting these folk violas into present-day rock n roll songs, the collective writes from a socio-political perspective on topics such as dealing with dark pasts while building a better world. 

The collective is led by Neil Leyton on vocals and Micke Ghost on vocals and the viola Amarantina, featuring João Sousa on drums and the Adufe, Abel Beja on the viola Terceirense,  ToZé Bexiga on the viola Campaniça and piano and Janne Olson on bass and the viola Beirão. Other Ghosts include O Gajo and OMIRI.  

After releasing three studio albums, a compilation and a live record, having performed at festivals like Reeperbahn Festival, Live at Heart, Future Echoes and Folk Alliance, Lusitanian Ghosts are performing with the Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra July 4th 2025 at the Tivoli Theatre in Lisbon.