As part of the Mas Musica Festival at the House of Blues in Hollywood last Saturday night, El Gran Silencio, Inspector, Celso Piña and local bands, Manantial de Fuego and Profesor Galactico plus acoustic performances by Octavio Red, Arevalo and Wonderfox, filled the venue to the rafters as the fans congregated into a sweaty and stuffy House of Blues.
It has been a long time since I’ve seen the House of Blues this crowded, but it is no surprise, as the music fans were about to be entertained by three of the most popular bands in Mexico and beyond. On the main stage, Manantial De Fuego took the stage first and delighted their legion of fans that follows them to all their gigs. By the time Profesor Galactico played, the crowd kept getting bigger and the momentum kept rising.
When El Gran Silencio took the stage, the party was in full swing and the band bombarded the enthusiastic audience with a barrage of hits that made the crowd go wild with excitement.
In the mean time At the Voodoo Lounge, fans could escape the heat and tight space of the main room and could relax with acoustic performances by Octavio Red and Arevalo, while Wonderfox, even in an acoustic setting, still manages to provide energetic and passionate performances.
After a short break, Inspector took the stage and the skanking soon began. With a tight and energetic sound the band were in full force while lead singer, Big Javi, who seems to have lost some weight, looked a lot more energetic on stage and led the band through their musical history and played songs from all stages of their career.
The headlining spot was left to the master, or as he is better known, “El Rebelde del Acordeon” (The Accordion Rebel), who had the fans eating from the palm of his hand with his charm, good humor, and of course, his mastery of the accordion.
As the accordion sounds bounced off the walls of the House of Blues, the historic venue, which is scheduled to be demolished at the end of 2015, the atmosphere was that of a Mexican dance where the feet and bodies seem to move almost uncontrollably to the classic sounds of the cumbia and so, rockers, skankers and “cumbieros” all became one, just as the bands on stage had united to bring good vibes and music to the people.
El Gran Silencio photos courtesy of Arturo Bengoa
All other photos by Angel Aguilar
