all photos: Dakota Fine
The mainstage of The Black Cat on Saturday night was not filled with your usual characters, those youngins who come to Mousetrap or the bar regulars. Rather, Saturday night brought in a different kind of crowd. The reason being Los Amigos Invisibles, the very popular pop/disco/latin funk export from Venezuela kept the entire dancefloor moving from the first rush onto the stage right to the very very end. And seriously, folks, it was like I was back at some huge Latin American club in say Caracas where the music served both as a catalyst to some serious flirting AND was the absolutely most perfect reason for one hell of a great night for dancing. It was fun! Or as we say, divertido!
With an undeniably Latin/Carribean sound, often combining the tropical beats of coastal South American music and the sometimes overwrought but-I-can't-deny-this-is-catchy pop lyrics of your typical Top 40 American band, Los Amigos Invisibles who have sort of reached a mega pop status down in the southern hemisphere still remains relatively unknown in the States. But it looked and sounded like Los Amigos were right at home, performing to a extremely full, extremely joyous, emtremely passionate group of spanish speaking fans and, might I add, some of the most beautiful women I've seen in DC. I get the feeling, guys, that the young dudes from Los Amigos are never without company.
Now admittedly, I don't usually jump at the chance to see such a band perform live, because, try as I might, that certain kind of music is not something i am all that into. But the show that Los Amigos put on, cool and wild and reminescent of a Latin American soccer game in its enthusiasm and showmanship, made a fan of me. And seriously the whole time I was like, if only so-and-so were here to dance with me. I mean, I even texted Svetlana that she was missing a damn good show. We're at Jimmy Valentine's doing the BYT thing. Ay no mujer, baila conmigo Svetlana, baila comigo!
Now before you go looking to book Los Amigos Invisibles for your best friend's wedding or graduation party or whatever, know that these guys are so well-known internationally and have cast such a huge net of fans, that other than the rare appearances in DC (you'll see more of them in NYC and Miami) you'll only find them on MTV en Espanol and the other American and international channels that are dedicated to featuring such great bands from Latin America. Basically, folks, this shit was good, real good, and next time they come, you're coming with me, and you are going to be guaranteed a great night of dancing...you too, Svetlana!
Previously in Live DC:
- 2/13: LiveDC: George Clinton & The Parliament-Funkadelic @ 930 Club
- 2/13: LiveDC: Veronica Falls/ Brilliant Colors @ Black Cat
- 2/13: LIVE DC: Steve Aoki/ Datsik/ Alvin Risk @ Fillmore
- 2/13: LiveDC: The Darkness @ 930 Club
- 2/9: LiveDC: Theophilus London @ 930 Club
- 2/9: Best Weekend Bets
- 2/8: LiveDC: Kathleen Edwards @ 930 Club
- 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
- 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
- 2/7: LiveDC: Demetri Martin @ Warner Theatre
God loves a cheerful giver.
Cool review. I find that MTVtres is like the only viable music video channel. That Indie 101 show they've got is better than 99.9% of everything on MTVregular.
I agree, Pedro. Those MTV channels are the best thing that could've happened to MTV. They actually play music videos. And you know they don't limit it to Latin American/European acts.
damn this sounds like it was awesome! if only americans had fewer inhibitions... thanks for the great review, chico.
Los Amigos Invisibles is always a treat - even if you don't think that you'd be into their 'latin grooves'!
I caught them a couple of years ago at the Cat when they played with Tortured Soul and I thought that they blew T.S. out of the water. The vibe was like a crazy-latin-disco and you couldn't help but shake what your momma gave ya while they were playing. I echo the reviewer: Definitely check them out the next time that they are in town!
its hard to believe how gay this band is. wtf.
I LOVE Quiero Mis Quinces on MTVtres...
adam is the commenter formerly known as mike.
Don't get me wrong Amanda. I LOVE my native music. Just didn't know that I'd be so into LAI.
As much as I would like to say that I enjoyed your review, I think it was basic at best. I do love the pictures though. The only way you would have been able to see LAI in concert, "say in Caracas ", would have been by attending either a free music event on the streets or by going to a venue dedicated specially to live music–but never in a "huge club" 'cause even though we do have those they're not for live music but for dj music/dancing.
Cheers!
Alex, you make it sound like a tropical paradise. Sign me up! I'd love to see a show like LAI on the sreets of Caracas.