Despite the plethora of naysayers who thought infernal mayhem would brake loose at this Sunday’s (Feb 5th) free and public Calle 13 concert, the event went down in history as one of the most spectacular shows in the Mendoza’s history. Turnout was vastly greater than expected, reaching aproximately 80,000 people smashed up together bumping to the rhythm of the Puerto Rican family trio, (although Calle 13’s twitter the following day stated had been 100,000 attendees).
Once the sight of an empty lot behind the towns abandoned train station, the dusty field was transformed
into a temporary cultural oasis, with artisans peddling their colorful bracelets and pottery, smokey asado stands grilling up juicy choripans (sausage sandwiches), and local murgas (drum music groups) beating on kettle drums.
Most of the province was surprised to hear that Calle 13 was coming, and much more shocked that the concert would be entirely free for all. The show represents the beginning of a new era for Lujan according to the recently elected mayor Carlos Lopez Puelles who just uprooted his opponent from a comfortable decade in office. “This will be a historic event that will mark a before and an after in the culture of Lujan,” a statement showing Pulles’ desire to continue to attract international performers to the town.
Having earned 10 Latin Grammies and 2 International ones Calle 13, is not just any international sensation. Rather the group represents a decidedly political message that is pro-puerto rican independence, anti-mining, and anti- US politics and imperialism of any kind. When asked about the selection of this particular group, Puelles explains that ”It was my idea to bring [them]... a large part of Lujan identifies with the band, they represent a valid expression of society.” And instead of pulling the popular “benefit concert” move, the government along with private entities sponsored the event, so that the band would play for free, allowing even the poorest of Lujan’s residents to attend.
But the concert this past Sunday was much more than just political. Rene Perez Joglar, or Residente, the lead vocalist of the band explained on stage that often times the group had been pigeonholed into a political genre of music. “We represent politics, but Calle 13 also represents love, and la fiesta.” In other words, “we represent life!” To bring that message home every once and awhile if he felt the audience was drifting away he would call to us “Estamos vivos, mi sangre? [Are we alive, my blood]” We, the audience become a pulsing life force whose energy manifested itself in the performers on stage.
The set featured a blaring afro-pop brass section, impeccable rhythm on a variety of drums, a melodica and theremin on certain songs, jazz riffs, Latin beats of all sorts, and hip hop-esque lyricism. The songs shifted from soft and sensual, to jarring and blunt at the drop of the hat. “I use the night like a sheet” repeats the chorus of La Perla, a song written about the group’s hometown, and is ripe with colorful and gentle imagery. A few songs later the chorus of The Bullet blares “There is little money but there are lots of bullets. There is little food but there are lots of bullets. There are few good people, that’s why there are so many bullets. Careful here comes one, Bla Bla Bla Bla!” (Obviously these lyrics sound better and are more poetic in Spanish.)
While providing a magnetic show all throughout, the last number left members of the crowd with 
goosebumps. Latinamericana calls for pan-Latin unification and recounts decades of exploitation through the perspective of the continent itself. The song begins “I am what they left behind, I am what is left over after they robbed me” And recounts exploitation of the land and natural resources by outsiders, military dictators, and coup d’etats mentioning operation Condor. One of the most powerful moments comes later when Residente cries, “soy America Latina--un pueblo sin piernas pero que camina [I am Latin America—a community without legs, but that walks]” The chorus is a lilting melody sung by several incredible Latin American female voices from different countries throughout the continent, “You cannot buy the wind, you cannot buy the sun, you cannot buy the rain, you cannot buy the heat...” Watch this video A.S.A.P on youtube. Even if you don’t understand the words, you will still be able to feel this song’s importance.
All in all, it was a magical night. After fireworks, the audience flooded out of the arena to all sides. Considering the gigantic turn out, the crowd could have turned into a angry and dangerous mob at any moment. But instead everyone was peaceful, docile, not attempting to go against the force of the thousands of people around. Perhaps Calle 13’s mission succeeded, if just for a moment.
By Gwynne Hogan
