Offering a radically different interpretation of hardcore punk, Mariachi El Bronx have secured ubiquitous fame in their hometown of LA by fusing classic rock structures with traditional mariachi instrumentation. The result is a totally unique, wholly invigorating cross-over sound, where cultures and genres collide and coalesce in an audio-visual banquet of a live show.
At a festival with a seemingly steadfast monopoly on indie-rock stalwarts (past and present), the decision to add a mariachi band to the bill was a very well-informed one indeed, bringing a much needed flash of joviality to a weekend largely dominated by progressive guitar bands.
Decked out in studded charro suits and brightly-coloured sombreros, The Bronx confidently appear on stage and their party vibe provides instant appeal to an ostensibly jaded looking audience. As the trumpet sounds, a previously unenthused crowd suddenly springs to life with a renewed sense of sparkle, tapping their winkle pickers in anticipation.
Uncompromising, but not at all unpleasant, the high-pitched plucking of the viheula glibly reverberates throughout the room, as the guitarron mexicano holds a somewhat baffled looking audience captive with its powerful sound. Flitting effortlessly between tracks like the wonderfully ironic ‘Gary Glitter’, and surprisingly soulful ‘PR Rules’, The Bronx bring sprinkles of humour and cultural tradition to ATP, winning over a crowd of stubborn cynics.
mariachi el bronx review
Offering a radically different interpretation of hardcore punk, Mariachi El Bronx have secured ubiquitous fame in their hometown of LA by fusing classic rock structures with traditional mariachi instrumentation.
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REVIEW // MARIACHI EL BRONX @ ATP CURATED BY THE BREEDERS
The result is a totally unique, wholly invigorating cross-over sound, where cultures and genres collide and coalesce in an audio-visual banquet of a live show.
At a festival with a seemingly steadfast monopoly on indie-rock stalwarts (past and present), the decision to add a mariachi band to the bill was a very well-informed one indeed, bringing a much needed flash of joviality to a weekend largely dominated by progressive guitar bands.
Decked out in studded charro suits and brightly-coloured sombreros, The Bronx confidently appear on stage and their party vibe provides instant appeal to an ostensibly jaded looking audience. As the trumpet sounds, a previously unenthused crowd suddenly springs to life with a renewed sense of sparkle, tapping their winkle pickers in anticipation.
Uncompromising, but not at all unpleasant, the high-pitched plucking of the viheula glibly reverberates throughout the room, as the guitarron mexicano holds a somewhat baffled looking audience captive with its powerful sound. Flitting effortlessly between tracks like the wonderfully ironic ‘Gary Glitter’, and surprisingly soulful ‘PR Rules’, The Bronx bring sprinkles of humour and cultural tradition to ATP, winning over a crowd of stubborn cynics.
By April Welsh