Quito, Feb 26 (IANS/EFE) Mexican rock band Mana sparked an explosion of sound and colour in Quito at a concert on its 2011-12 tour “Drama y Luz” (Drama and Light), the name of its latest album.
Atahualpa Olympic Stadium in the northern downtown district of the Ecuadorian capital was packed Friday night with some 40,000 fans belting out in unison the songs made famous by the Guadalajara band.
“Lluvia al Corazon” (Rain on My Heart), the concert’s lead number, was performed against a white canvas backdrop onto which figures were projected to reflect the lyrics.
During most of the songs, lead singer Fher Olvera stalked the giant stage set mounted at the Atahualpa, pouring out his devotion to fans who returned his feelings with all their heart and voices as loud as they could sing.
Melodies old and new made up the Mana repertoire in Quito, and despite the group’s 25-year career, it remains one of the most popular in Ecuador for fans of all ages.
Nor did the audience forget that this was the 43rd birthday of Alex “El Animal” Gonzalez, the histrionic Mana drummer, though he looked the same as ever, hyperactively committed to entertaining his fans. Fher dedicated to him the Mexican birthday song “Las Mananitas” (Morning Song), and the audience sang along.
“Thank you, Quito,” Alex said, adding that this will be “one of the most unforgettable” birthdays of his life.
The guitar of Sergio Vallin was also accompanied in his solos by cries from the audience, who then got up and danced to the beat of Juan Calleros’ amazing bass.
–IANS/EFE
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