I would never have expected the combination of Marc Antony, Chayanne and Alejandro Fernandez to work as a concert draw. Yet, they are doing just fine. I probably would have argued that you are crazy to mix three such distinct musical styles under the same roof on the same evening. That the pop fans would never stick around for the salsa and ranchero performances and vice versa. Clear Channel, the company that organized the tour, obviously thought otherwise and they were right.
I am pretty catholic when it comes to music. The first concert I attended was the Police at the Orange Bowl during the Synchronicity tour. The last concert I attended was Los Tigres del Norte at the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City some six weeks ago. I suppose there are many, many others who are equally heterodox in their musical taste. Folks who are open to hearing different Latino music genres. Maybe, just maybe, this is emblematic of the beginning of the creation of a distinctly Latino culture. I doubt it, but the folks at Clear Channel are clearly onto something.
PS Another possible and less flattering and somewhat sexist explanation is made here.
I was able to catch the concert here in NY and I must say it was extremely well organized and all three artists were well received. I think the fact that NY has a large Mexican as well as Caribbean Latino audience made it work so well here, not to mention the promoters casting a wide net for Latino dollars.
Posted by: Mamita Mala | September 09, 2005 at 08:45 AM