By Rogelio Alvarez and Megan G. Razzetti
Los Angeles local band Chicano Batman had the audience dancing with the cumbia-infused rock song “La Manzanita.”
“Supersonico, A Cultural Happening” second musicfest was a nine-hour dance party celebrating the diverse music and culture of Latin America hosted at the Hollywood Palladium.
Latin Grammy-award winning Colombian rock band Aterciopelados headlined the event after not playing in the U.S. for three years.
Mexican pop rock band Kinky generated a vibrant reaction from the crowd. Kinky exceeded its time limit, which angered the stage managers but gave fans two extra songs. The audience reacted by inflating condoms as makeshift beach balls and started launching them
Prayers vocalist Rafael Reyes illustrated the importance of playing at SuperSonico.“It’s a Latino based festival with Latino artists, which I think is beautiful because we all have a voice too. We’re not just the working-class of America. We also have talent, we’re also artists. We have a voice that needs to be heard and I think this platform offers us that. I think that’s beautiful,” Reyes said.
Perhaps the most interesting act of the night was Latin grammy-award winning Spanish rapper Mala Rodriguez, whose hip-hop act was completely different. Her rapping was fierce and demanded the attention of the entire venue.
Dressed in mariachi attire, the band Mariachi el Bronx played tribute to traditional mexican folk music.
Many of the bands that performed can be found on the Supersonic’s Facebook page with links to upcoming shows.