Parasol

Cuerda, Guadalajara, México
11 August 2023

Walking into the building, surprisingly, the opening acts seem to have already started. In Guadalajara, it is usually a riddle how much time there will be between the posted “doors” hour and the moment at which anything related to the show will happen. The stage here at Cuerda is charmingly set in the courtyard of an old house. Right in the middle of it, an orange tree seems to struggle to thrive under the shadow of an enormous avocado tree.

Immediately preceding the headliners, the gathering was entertained by Wohl, a fantastic local instrumental math rock band. Their arpeggiated guitar sounds and musical swings are motorized by outstanding drumming. This, paired with dreamy visuals in the aforementioned setting, evokes a surreal sci-fi atmosphere.

By no means strangers to such ambience, Ruido Rosa is next on stage. With a multitude of expectant fans, and a crew of roadies and assistants setting them up; it is clear that the band is a long-established act. Since their beginnings in Mexico City in the mid noughties, they have broken through gender barriers with two powerful major releases, and multiple participations in leading festivals such as SXSW or Corona Capital.

Their set opens with Renacer, a song collected in their 2019 EP Fragmentos. From start to finish, the devoted followers on the patio floor sing every word to the top of their lungs. Up on the stage, the bassist, Carla, provides exquisite backing vocals to Alejandra; the lead singer who also handles the electronic pad. Alicia, on a drum kit behind a plexiglass shield, delivers a spirited drive despite seemingly having some technical difficulties with her monitor set-up. Daniela on guitar, and additional backing vocals, completes the line-up. Together, they craft a unique, contemporary, and at times dreamy, sound; but that is also candidly rooted in familiar classic hard rock forms.

Half-way through the show, the increasing excitement on and off the stage is palpable. The musicians play a superb execution of their 2018 single Vértigo before they treat the audience with a rendering of their newest single, Caos. After the song Armas, the concertgoers then break out in a spontaneous chant praising the artists. Two numbers later, the band briefly pauses only for the attendance to vigorously request the encore. The performers indulge them with a brand-new track, Alerta, and close the show with Miedo a Caer, from their 2010 eponymous LP.

The contented fans slowly move out to reveal the chequered floor of the courtyard. It is still early for Friday night in the city, but after the sublime show from Ruido Rosa at the wondrous stage in Cuerda, it is unlikely that anyone will hit a higher note this evening.