palabras ARACELI CRUZ

Central Park’s Rumsey Field is too small for Café Tacuba. The anticipation for Café’s arrival alone seemed to overwhelm the enclosed greenery where crowds were lined up to enter way before 1:00 p.m. (which is when I got there). Many were turned away at the gates when the Mexican alt-rock quartet finally took the stage slightly before 6 o’clock on Saturday.

[It should be known that Café Tacuba’s musical clout is so vital, diverse and eclectic (they’ve been around almost twenty years), they have the capacity to play at major festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza. A couple of year’s ago the guys― Rubén Albarrán, Emmanuel del Real, Joselo Rangel and Enrique Rangel had a concert in Mexico City’s central plaza, the Zocalo, with hundreds of thousands of people in attendance. It was reported that this was the first concert in the history of the SummerStage where press were turned away because they had reached its maximum capacity. Café Tacuba are true musical pioneers.]

In true Café-style singer Rubén sported a white suit with a matching top-hat with two holes so he could see, and as soon as the first note dropped, two mosh pits had formed giving way to a haze of dirt above the crowd. Café’s set ran the gamut from old favorites like “Las Persianas,” “La Chica Banda,” “La Ingrata” and newer ones like “Cero Y Uno,” “Mediodia” and "Eres" from their most recent effort Cuatro Caminos.

Rubén later took off his hat and jacket and began going crazy all around the stage, as was keyboardist and musical-extraordinaire Emmanuel with spastic yet commendable dance moves.

The entire show was amazing; I knew it would be too. I’ve seen Café Tacuba perform many times in various venues, so watching them in Central Park for free felt so surreal. The diverse crowd made it even more special.

The show could have done without Pacha Massive’s less than impressive set (the sound was horrible) or La Sista’s reggaeton mix. Although her set was pretty funny as she had a couple of people take the stage to showcase some interesting dance.

Café Tacuba could have gone all night, and it’s clear they wanted to, as they began taking requests from the crowd, and stalled/danced their way off the stage. The Latin Alternative Music Conference sure ended with a bang.
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posted July 13

As hard as I tried to get to SOB’s acoustic showcase and catch all of the acts, I just couldn’t do it. I have to face it, I’m not Super Girl. I sadly missed Volumen Cero, but caught Mexican act Bengala instead. Their Cure-like (and Cure-like hair) set featured some decent harmonies but nothing to rave about. They did play this one song that literally said “blah, blah, blah,” oddly enough I think I’ve heard it before.

Following them was a short set from the charismatic guys of Pecker. They sported some fancy jackets and ties, but other than that, their set was quite a downer. Singer Federico Aubele was next but I left, as I had already heard him sing on Day 1.

I was eager to head on to the Bowery Ballroom and not miss any acts. Right off the bat, I knew this show would be different from the others. What gave it away? There were rockeros everywhere. Loved it!

First up was the alternative-pop band, Pambo from Mexico led by a rockin’ female lead singer. The enthusiasm that came out of this band really showcased their potential. The drummer adorably sprinkled glitter on his kit making it splash everywhere every time he pounded on them. Her vocals are a mix between Belinda Carlisle from The Go-Go’s and Ashlee Simpson and it’s evident she is feeling the music. They are definitely ones to watch in the future.

Who ever thought pop-punk was dead has obviously not heard PXNDX (Panda). This is the band everyone was waiting for considering this was the first time the guys from Monterrey, Mexico had ever played in New York. Their fans have been waiting for this show a long time (two years to be exact). These fellas are huge in Mexico and it is clear why. They play heavy rock, emo, straight up punk, some more poppy than others, and they do it extremely well. Their stage presence alone made the crowd start moshing. The lead singer’s stage gestures are like those of Brandon Flowers from The Killers, which means like Mick Jagger. Their boyish good looks don’t hurt either. After their set, the crowd wanted more. They began yelling culeros, culeros, (I hadn’t heard that in a long time), but with no such luck they were sadly gone and the band did not want to leave.

Once the crowd dispersed The Dey was up. Like the Black Eyed Peas, this trio mixes reggaeton, hip-hop, and Spanish tunes. They do it well, but there is nothing extraordinary about them. The lone female songstress has some pipes and backs the other two just fine, although not on the last track. They had a backing track during their hit single “Dame Un Momento.”

Mala Rodriguez was who I was waiting for and boy did she put on a show. Spain’s lead female rappera did not disappoint one bit. She had two male rappers and one female backing her up, but Mala was the main attraction no doubt. With a cute, black, short, skin-tight dress and high black heals she was getting her reggaeton beats down like no other, literally. Mala has so much power with an audience that she told everyone to crouch down, some did, others didn’t, and she said again “is there a problem with communication? get down” and they all did, maybe out of pure fear, but they did it. It was great.

Today’s panels were informative but forgetful. Something good came out of attending them because luckily I ran into the boys from Austria (scroll down to read all about their amazing set at Mercury Lounge). I got their CD, their info and you’ll be reading more about them soon enough.

Stay tuned for the conclusion of LAMC with Café Tacuba!!!
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posted July 12

As a first time rider of the Latin Alternative Music Conference rollercoaster, let me tell you that it is quite a world-wind, because once it starts there’s no getting off, but I think I prepared myself pretty well…I shouldn’t say that just yet, it’s only day 3.

[What is this conference all about? Click here to learn all about LAMC]

The great thing about this conference is that the Roosevelt Hotel (where the conference is taking place) is about six blocks from the nocheLatina New York offices. All the shows are in venues near by and I was able to make new LAMC friends by giving them subway directions.

Tuesday was the official start of LAMC with an acoustic performance by Federico Aubele and a screening of So What’s Your Price (¿Y Tú Cuánto Cuestas?) directed by Olallo Rubio in Central Park and what a film it was.

With so many films coming out that deal with thought provoking issues like the environment, the war in Iraq, healthcare, Rubio’s film― mostly documentary― is basically Mexico vs. the U.S.

It touches on several subjects such as the perception that Americans and Mexicans have toward each other and their countries; the value of a life; people’s hardships in the U.S. and in Mexico; the importance of both countries to each other. The director conducted the interviews in Mexico and New York City, so it was very fascinating to watch it in this city and hear people’s opinions of its citizens and foreigners.

The next day felt like the first day of summer camp, better known as registration day. The mezzanine was jam-packed with mostly males (lucky me!), some with their guitars, others with suitcases, some taking pictures, others filming and all excited to be there.

Once I got my LAMC badge and goodie bag I was set and the first stop was the Mercury Lounge in the lower east side. One thing I’ve learned from attending other festivals and conferences is that there is no way you’ll be able to catch all the shows. Yes it sucks, but life is all about sacrifices.

I arrived at the Mercury Lounge during an enthusiastic performance by Upground, from East Los Angeles (my hometown neighbors). Since these guys are fairly young (ages range from 18-23), I’m calculating they’ll be the next Ozomatli. I found their transition from ska to rock to Latin grooves, impressive.

The next set was from the San Diego collective, the B-Side Players. I caught their act once before in California when they opened for Kinky on New Years Eve and I thought the same thing that I did then, pretty generic. Nothing really stands out from these guys; it’s basically Latin-reggae that you could hear at any lounge or street corner.

I don’t know how the next act made it on the stage considering they were not featured on the LAMC schedule, but am I glad they did. Austria, from Argentina, was completely captivating. I forgot to mention that all of these acts were performing “acoustically,” though Austria were the only ones that actually were acoustic. The trio’s sound is reminiscent to that of Keane (they too have no percussions), Coldplay and Gustavo Cerati. Martin Rougier’s, keyboardist, vocals are amazing. This guy is definitely the gem in the group.

Today consisted of interviews, interviews and interviews, (more to come to tomorrow) and which will all be featured on nocheLatina. I’m off now to the next showcase. I don’t want to miss Volumen Cero or Zoe!!!!