Angel Ferrer and Chris Pérez at Stubb's (photo by Kristie Bocanegra)
On Friday, Jan. 6, we concluded our Austin Vida Free Week showcases at the legendary Stubb’s BBQ. This was our rock en español showcase, featuring some of Austin’s long-time local favorites Kalua, Vitera and Maneja Beto. Kalua performed for the first time with a string section to compliment singer Juan Diaz’s mariachi-rock vocals while Maneja Beto performed with new female members, one of them an accordionist.
Our headliner was the new musical project from Grammy winner Chris Pérez. This was the first show for The Chris Pérez Project since their 2009 Pachanga Fest performance.The band is fronted by Austin-based singer-songwriter by way of Puerto Rico, Angel Ferrer. The group performed new material including their latest single “Todo es diferente” and the hugely popular “Best I Can.” For those of us in attendance who were around in the ’90s and are fans of Selena, it was a beautiful moment and Ferrer pulled it off well. In fact, their entire set was pulled off well to say the least.
We proved at Stubb’s that night that one of the most sneered at genres in Latin music, rock en español, not only has an enthusiastic fan base in Austin but performers that can win over even the most discriminating music fans from all backgrounds. For us at Austin Vida to have been able to put this showcase together and offer it to fans for free was truly something special.
* This show was sponsored in part by The City of Austin, Pachanga Latino Music Fest, Red River Noise and SATX Music.
All photos by Kristie Bocanegra.
