Violent Pop Fest
Mexico City
24th March 2006
On a cold and threatening night in the twilight zone to the south of Mexico City the Violent Pop Fest offered a strangely traditional feel of on English pop festival, but with a decaying urban industrial setting that Mexico City does so well. The evening's entertainment really got going as Bengala, playing on home turf, took to the stage, attracting the best crowd of the evening. In fact the distinct impression was that the majority of the crowd had come to see the real ‘rock en espanol’ of the group which has been building a solid following by playing the supporting role at many venues recently. Bengala produce rock as it is meant to be, on the night captured in a stone fortress of sound; it proved to be an extremely powerful experience.
As the wind and the rain kicked in DFenos were starting to panic but good music prevailed as always. Bengala simply turned up the volume to blow the bad weather away. The speakers started to wobble in time to the pumping bass, soaring riffs and driving drums, intertwined with slow melodic breaks; providing the most movement on stage outside the strutting lead singer. The set was a perfect balance between more the more orthodox indie rock of songs such as ‘Mensage’ and tracks like ‘Domingo a las 6’ which added the aspect of a 70’s rock opera. This was particularly effective as the wind provided a certain dramatic quality by making the white sheets used as a backdrop billow behind as the crew rocked out. There are some times when sound and site come together as one, it was Bengala’s night as they delivered the entrance fee alone.
Mexico City
24th March 2006
On a cold and threatening night in the twilight zone to the south of Mexico City the Violent Pop Fest offered a strangely traditional feel of on English pop festival, but with a decaying urban industrial setting that Mexico City does so well. The evening's entertainment really got going as Bengala, playing on home turf, took to the stage, attracting the best crowd of the evening. In fact the distinct impression was that the majority of the crowd had come to see the real ‘rock en espanol’ of the group which has been building a solid following by playing the supporting role at many venues recently. Bengala produce rock as it is meant to be, on the night captured in a stone fortress of sound; it proved to be an extremely powerful experience.
As the wind and the rain kicked in DFenos were starting to panic but good music prevailed as always. Bengala simply turned up the volume to blow the bad weather away. The speakers started to wobble in time to the pumping bass, soaring riffs and driving drums, intertwined with slow melodic breaks; providing the most movement on stage outside the strutting lead singer. The set was a perfect balance between more the more orthodox indie rock of songs such as ‘Mensage’ and tracks like ‘Domingo a las 6’ which added the aspect of a 70’s rock opera. This was particularly effective as the wind provided a certain dramatic quality by making the white sheets used as a backdrop billow behind as the crew rocked out. There are some times when sound and site come together as one, it was Bengala’s night as they delivered the entrance fee alone.
Los Fancy Free have a fit
As the weather cleared so did most of the crowd, which was unfortunate as Los fancy free followed with their pop art feel. The real entertainment was provided by the endless energy of the lead singer (Martin Thulin), balancing precariously on the afore mentioned wobbly speakers. There was certainly none of the deep reverberations that were previously challenging the equilibrium of the equipment, probably just as well given the rather un-athletic stance of the Henley-style dressed star. He certainly worked a dwindling audience well…”come in close to catch me in case I fall.” An entertaining set suggested the art meets music of the 60s psychedelic sound. The highlight an energetic cover of Paul McCartney’s much maligned 80’s electronic outing ‘Temporary Secretary’, screeched out by a prostrate Thulin.
Maria Daniela y Su Sonido Lassar’s cosmic karaoke
Finally on the night the ultra-pop of Maria Daniella y Sonido Lasser. In a carefree performance, bouncing around like she was singing in front of the mirror in her bedroom. It was certainly a case of cosmic karaoke to close the show. There is one of two ways to cope with this kind of thing, get upset and leave or relax and enjoy a finely crafted hi-energy pop put together by Maria and her Titan twin Emilio on percussion and tape changes. Although Nuevos Ricos deny the collective nature of their label there is a certain suggestion of skill sharing and a night planned for the 8th April should be a real showcase for their combined talent. Certainly the partnership of Maria and Emilio produces bop to you drop sounds like ‘Miedo’ and ‘Fiesta de Cumpleanos’. Bouncing around in time to the incessant beat proved to be the best way to warm up in quickly plummeting temperatures.
Sufferage Sounds
The Violent
Pop Fest was another example of the real impetuous that has been given to
the alterative music scene here in Mexico from a number of different
sources. Certainly through the creation of a number of new independent
record labels both domestic and from north of the border that are trawling
the local scene for talent. But also from the “tu rock es
votar” movement which is trying to mobilise the young vote
here in Mexico in a crucial election year. A collection of artists from
the underground scene here in Mexico is receiving funding through a non
partisan agency for holding events such as the Violent Pop Fest. It is
difficult to be political without being political, reservations must be
held as to the nature and effectiveness of such a policy in dealing with
the apathy, or cynical stance, of many young voters. Perhaps real choice
between fairly competing, truly representative and effective political
parties is the only way to bring voters back to the ballot box. Lets hope
other styles of music popular in Mexico with young people, such as Norteno,
are getting similar support to mobilse both the urban and rural vote.
Check
it out:
