REVIEW: Y LA BAMBA @ BRIGHTON MUSIC HALL 10/3
Courtesy of Christal Angelique
Review by Sophie Lentz
A soulful, haunting resonance infused the air of Brighton Music Hall on Oct. 3 as Y La Bamba struck their first chord. This event marked the start of their US tour after the release of their most recent album, “Lucha,” in 2023. Singer-songwriter and lead guitarist Luz Elena Mendoza Ramos transcends the limits of the genre with her experimental indie pop infused with Mexican folk beats, singing both in Spanish and English.
When Mendoza Ramos emerged from behind the smoke machine on stage alongside her five bandmates, Julia Mendiolea, Antonio Montanez, Gordon Walters, Isabeau Waia’u Walker, and Kelsey Jumper, there was a palpable feeling of camaraderie and care through their shared banter and kindness onstage.
Zinnia’s Garden opened the night, having formed in 2022, already brimming with a refined, robust sound. The band performed a small set with songs from their newest EP, “Paragon,” as well as their first album, “Death by Design.” “Break Free Siren” showcased the band’s strong dynamic and energy, with the drum’s down beats reverberating through the walls. “A Waltz with Death” introduced a more leisurely pace, but the energy emanating from each performer never faltered; the audience could not help but match their liveliness, heads bobbing along to their nostalgic, celestial tones reminiscent of early 90s shoegaze mingling with rock undertones. Drummer and vocalist Mary Grace captivated the room with her vigor but also blended seamlessly with the harmonies by additional vocalists Kiah Rihana and Maura Moon, supported by the divine guitar work by Evan Smith.
When 9 p.m. came around, Y La Bamba’s angelic presence ascended onto the stage. Undeterred by a lengthy soundcheck, they immediately dove into their setlist with a refreshing and renewed spirit eagerly received by the audience. Most of Y La Bamba’s songs highlight an enchanting amalgamation of voices, producing evocative harmonies supported by layers of syncopated rhythms mimicking the folky feel of hand percussion. This was especially prominent in one of their opening songs, “Dibujos de mi Alma,” a popular, entrancing selection from their new album.
“Nunca” also elicited a similar bewitching effect, produced by another set of perfect harmonies flowing and merging seamlessly among every singer. The music almost guides the listener with its soft but influential rhythm, akin to wandering along a neverending shoreline with waves continuously rolling onto the sand. An unexplainable connection formed between the members of Y La Bamba and the audience, both parties swaying and dancing in unison, sharing smiles and an occasional quick comment.
The opening chords of “Boca Llena” signaled a slight shift in energy as this faster-paced song began to take shape, prompting audience members to break into a series of joyful twirls and steps, leading up to a rich guitar solo by Mendoza Ramos, who powered through it with grace, even as she later admitted to the audience that one of her fingers was cramping up during the song.
Y La Bambas’s music echoes within one’s soul, always reaching toward a deeper examination of vulnerability and one’s relationship to others as well as to one’s self. Mendoza Ramos acknowledged this sensitivity by stating to the audience that she doesn’t normally like to talk during her shows, as she frequently gets nervous.
As magical as the music was, it was clear to see this show was a bit of a challenge for Mendoza Ramos. The band made several technical adjustments throughout the show, but there were moments when the three singers could not quite sync up vocally. This all culminated with Mendoza Ramos throwing up her hands in halting motion during “Nunca,” announcing that “something weird is going on.” Mendoza Ramos chose this moment to bravely open up to the audience and explain her challenges with getting up in front of an audience and playing music, further expressing that she continues to do it because she loves what she does and has the ability to share her music with others. The audience was nothing but supportive and encouraging during this moment of vulnerability and didn’t stop cheering in support of continuing the performance.
These genuine remarks about the struggle to perform and play amidst extreme nerves and anxiety resonate incredibly hard and provide a refreshingly real perspective on what it takes to be a musician. Mendoza Ramos serves as a source of inspiration for all; the strength she presented by continuing to play and allowing audience members to continue to share her space signals an important message: follow what you believe in even if it scares you; your passion is worth it and has the ability to influence the community around you. Passions are made even more beautiful by the struggle that comes with it. Mendoza shows us what it means to be human: we mess up, we have hard days, but that never takes away from the work we put towards our passions or the capacity we have to love the experiences that life brings us.