DJ-priest Padre Guilherme spotted praying ahead of Għaxaq Music Festival

Popular Portuguese "DJ priest" Padre Guilherme has been spotted in a more familiar setting, praying at St Paul's Cathedral in Mdina on Thursday, a day before headlining the 27th edition of the Għaxaq Music Festival.

Padre Guilherme met Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna at the Archbishop's Palace in Mdina that same morning. 

Ordained in 1999, he has served as a parish priest in northern Portugal and accompanied Portuguese troops on missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan. He began DJing to raise funds for his parish before gaining international attention with his performance ahead of Pope Francis’s closing Mass at World Youth Day in Lisbon in 2023.

His sets blend electronic music with religious themes and messages of peace, reflecting his efforts to connect the Church with younger audiences.

Friday's performance will mark his live debut in Malta. He will be backed by a special performance by UK-based electronic duo P.O.U (Products of Us).

Local DJ JJoy will open the event, while MUX b2b Braynod will close the festival. 

Italian veterans opened the festival

The Għaxaq Music Festival opened its stage on Tuesday, with Italian band Ricchi e Poveri headlining the first night. 

They were supported by local acts including Kevin Paul Calleja and his band, with Pierre Cordina on warm-up duties and Alex Grech closing the set.

Running since 1999, the festival previously hosted acts including Zucchero, the Gipsy Kings, Ronan Keating and UB40. 

This year's edition also marks the 400th anniversary of the Ħal Għaxaq parish 

In aid of charity

The year's edition is being held in aid of 'Embrace Diversity', an NGO supporting children and young people with disabilities. 

It is organised by St Mary Band Club Għaxaq, under the patronage of the Ministry for Arts, Culture and National Heritage.

Each night will begin at 7pm and run until 1am. 

Tickets are available through ShowsHappening.com.