It was a friday night and the street was wrapped around by a huge line of people all waiting to enter the Fonda Theater. Fans had brought tennis rackets, custom artwork, and were even eating tofu in line as they waited for the doors to open. And of course being on Hollywood Boulevard waiting for a concert you could smell the scent of bacon wrapped hot dogs being grilled. This wasn’t my first time at the Fonda and if you have ever gone to the Fonda you know that you are in for a night filled with dancing, good music and great beer. But tonight wasn’t going to be like any other night because Mexican alternative Artist, Caloncho, was headlining for his tour, “El Tour del Tofu.”
Caloncho is touring across the US, Europe, Latin America, and Mexico and he had started off in Mexico and finally made his way to the United States where he was going to be performing his newest album, “Tofu” at the Fonda Theater in Los Angeles. Caloncho’s music is well known for being very laid back, chill, and good vibe music which you can easily listen to on a long drive or a day at the beach. But his newest album does not only dive into positivity and happiness but he also speaks about being with someone you love and care for and how nice that experience is. Not only did this album have fans dancing in the Fonda but it also had you either thinking about your loved one or missing your loved one!. But of course, apart from his newest album, Caloncho has a very big music catalog with multiple albums ranging back to 2015. Calancho’s previous projects aren’t only classics but they also have some amazing collaborations with other talented latino artists. Caloncho is part of this wave of alternative latino rock that had truthfully gone missing for a bit in the last decade, but his music brings back the sounds of latin alternative rock groups such as, Soda Estereo, Mana, Los Enanitos Verdes, and even some english alternative groups like The Wallows.
As the night had started and the doors finally opened, fans had either run to the front of the stage or they had gone to the bar and got themselves situated so they could be ready to enjoy the entire night. This concert was really special because it wasn’t like a typical concert where people are just sprinting to the front squishing one another. This concert truly felt like a special experience because it felt as if it was a private party with Caloncho. Not only was everyone a fan but people had come together to conversate, drink, and enjoy the show all together. As the night had begun the lights had finally gone off and you see all the band members make their way to the stage, and of course the final person to make his way to the stage was the man of the hour, Caloncho in his iconic tofu tennis outfit!
Caloncho’s outfit was everything because not only was it his outfit from his newest album’s artwork and tours press but it was also what so many fans had also come dressed as along with their tennis rackets. Caloncho had got the party started as he grabbed his guitar and began to sing and play it across the entire stage having fun jumping and singing along. Another amazing thing about the Fonda theater is that there are basically no seats at all on the bottom floor. The entire bottom floor is an entire standing area which makes more space for fans and more space for dancing the entire night. And as the night had progressed so did the music because apart from him playing hsi biggest hits such as, “Wacha Checa” “Somos Instantes” “Palmar” and many more he had brought some very special friends. Los Angeles is known for it’s special and iconic concert performances and when artists come to LA we are so lucky to get the best of the best performances, and that’s exactly what Caloncho did as he brought out Sophia Reyez and Cuco to perform live on stage with him. Caloncho performed his hit collaboration, “Medusa” with Cuco in which created such a huge havoc in the theater as Cuco is not only an LA native but he is also such a huge talented latino artist. And of course he had brought out the talented Sofia Reyes to perform their collaboration, “yo tuya, tu mia.”
Caloncho at the Fonda Theater was by far one of the most positive energy concerts I have ever been to, from the fans I had met, to the music and special guests that had performed, to the energy of the crowd. Caloncho’s concert was a concert experience that reminded me latino alternative music is still alive and is still being created everyday. Caloncho’s music that night showed me just how proud I am not only to be Latino but to be part of a music era in which latin alternative rock is here to stay and artists like Caloncho are keeping it alive. It also showed just how lucky and special Los Angeles is as a city to these artists because at the end of his set, Caloncho had come out in a custom made Dodger jersey. This really showed us the love Caloncho and all artists have for the city of Los Angeles.
