As we look back on 2013, there was something for everyone. We had some great new artists hitting the scene; some local talented artists finally getting the big break they deserved; we had the comebacks of legendary artists like Duncan Dhu and new releases by other legends like Enanitos Verdes, Cafe Tacvba and Enrique Bunbury. Sadly, we also had the closing of a historic concert venue, the Gibson Amphitheater.
As usual, the beginning of the year seems to be a little slow in terms of concert activity, but in February, things began to warm up with Kinky and Mexican Dubwiser who played at Conga Room in Los Angeles. Mexican Dubwiser debuted his first full-length album Revolution Radio while Kinky showcased their latest release Sueño de la Maquina, which includes collaboration with Spanish hip-hop queen, Mala Rodriguez. February also brought us the annual Skawars Festival, which features some of the best local ska bands like Profesor Galactico, La Resistencia, and Viernes 13 as well as nationally and internationally recognized bands such as The Toasters, La Plebe, and Maskatesta.
March brought us one of the newest talents in U.S. From Spain and Bolivia came Hector Guerra Pachamama crew and slowly, but surely, began to captivate new fans with his addicting rhythms and messages of peace and love.
The Colombian duo based in Los Angeles, Palenke Soultribe, released their first full length album Mar. They also took off on a tour around the world and at the Mayan Theater for Super Estrella’s La Tocada in which they gave one of the most memorable performances of the year.
In March we were also treated to one of the most exciting concerts line-ups of the year at the Panamerika Escenario concert at the Fonda Theater. La Santa Cecilia, Carla Morrison, Astro, and Bomba Estereo were some of the great performances seen on stage.
In April, L.A.’s own, La Santa Cecilia, officially presented their album 30 Dias at the Amoeba Record Store in Hollywood. The album has also been nominated for The Grammys for “Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album” and their video for “ICE- Hielo” has been nominated for “Premios Lo Nuestro”.
May brought us one of the pioneers of Spanish Rock, Mikel Erentxun, who played a show at 333 Live. While in town, he talked about the reunion with Duncan Dhu, which is still in full force touring through Spain after starting out in Mexico.
June brought us the comeback of another legendary Spanish Rock band, Mexico’s La Castañeda, who after a long hiatus, came back to California for a set of concerts that took them up and down the coast with stops at Los Globos and The Observatory in Santa Ana. They put on a riveting performance in front of hundreds of people.
July was the calm before the storm as it was a slow month in terms of concerts, but the rest of the summer was sizzling with great concerts.
August was a busy month starting out with the “Songs in The Key of L.A.” concert at Grand Performances in downtown L.A. with Ozomatli headlining the show and special appearances by La Santa Cecilia, Cheech Marin, Ceci Bastida, and the legendary Jackson Browne and Stevie Wonder.
Panteón Rococó with Lost Acapulco, Hector Guerra and local ska bands played to a sold out crowd at The Observatory in Santa Ana. Enanitos Verdes, Beto Cuevas and Vilma Palma e Vampiros played the last Spanish rock concert ever at the Gibson Amphitheater before it was turned into a Harry Potter attraction for Universal Studios.
Mid August took us back to one of the most exciting concerts of the year at the Observatory in Santa Ana, Molotov and local rockers, Vim Furor.
To end a great month of concerts, Café Tacvba brought its “El Objeto Antes Llamado Disco Tour” to the Nokia Theater where they played to an enthusiastic crowd that was treated to one of the most hallucinating light shows ever put on by a Spanish rock band.
September brought us the return of El Gran Silencio along with a band from Mexicali, La Sucursal de La Cumbia, who were making their first appearance in Los Angeles. El Gran Silencio, as usual, put on a memorable performance that had the crowd dancing from beginning to end.
October saw the return of local boys Enjambre on their first official tour after conquering the Mexican market and having one of the most attended tours in Mexico. Enjambre played shows at Club Ember in Anaheim and The Echo in Silver Lake. Uruguayan band No Te Va Gustar showed us why they are one of the most popular bands in South America with a riveting performance at the House of Blues in Anaheim. Draco Rosa brought his “Vida Tour” to the Fonda Theater where he showed us why he is one of most respected artist and performers in any genre.
In November, Zoe brought their “Programaton Tour” to the Nokia Theater and the Fox Theater in Pomona. Also, El Tri celebrated their 45 years in the music business with a marathon concert that included many of the bands that were influenced by El Tri like El Haragan y Cia. Tex Tex, Heavy Nopal and others.
To close out the year we had two bands playing in Los Angeles. Maskatesta play their first headlining show at the House of Blues in Anaheim and they had everyone skanking and moshing while Siddhartha made his live debut at Los Globos where he was received by an enthusiastic crowd that sang along to every song.
After looking back at a great year of music in 2013, we look forward to 2014 and Enrique Bunbury’s Palosanto tour in September. As well as the possible come back of Siddhartha and other bands that we are not able to confirm at the moment.
