Los Momentos With Julieta Venegas

Last time that Julieta Venegas graced her presence in the Bay was back in October of 2011, when she played at the Fox Theater in Oakland. This past weekend, a packed Warfield theater awaited for her triumphant return to the stage.

The opening act for Julieta’s San Francisco show happened to be none other than the duo Raul & Mexia – via San Jose, these two brothers are slowly paving their way to the hearts of music lovers around the Bay Area. And if you don’t know who they are, get to know them now – the music business runs in their blood since they happen to be the sons of Hernan Hernandez, vocalist/bassist of the international Mexican group Los Tigres Del Norte. You’ll often catch them opening up shows around San Jose, and most recently in San Francisco. 

After a fantastic set by Raul & Mexia, the fans were ready to see Julieta. And, when she came on stage, it was pure music bliss! Julieta looked absolutely radiant, wearing a high waist black lace skirt, with a matching crop top, and the most fabulous sky high-high black Mary Jane’s. Julieta could not look happier to be on stage, and in comparison to her previous shows, the stage featured gigantic screens, which would show different images that correlated with the specific song that she was performing. 

Julieta was glowing, she engaged with the audience, letting them know how excited she was to be back in the Bay. She also took the time to tell the audience anecdotes about how a particular song came to be.

The fans were treated to some of her classics such as Limon Y Sal, No Hace Falta, Andar Conmigo, and she also focused a vast majority of the set to introducing new songs that are part of her latest album appropriately titled “Los Momentos.”

Julieta will continue the Los Momentos tour which will take her to cities such as Miami, Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas, and she will close the tour in Monterrey, Mexico on November 9th.

“Los Momentos” is out now, and you can grab a copy on iTunes or amazon.

At the end of the show I was on the hunt to find the most stylish fan at the concert, and I came across Ramiro from Tortilla Power. Can we please focus on how amazing his outfit is? He was wearing a black sheer skirt, and his blazer was simply divine. Why didn't I think of wearing an abstract print blazer? The most stylish-fan-showcase goes out to him. 

Credits: ER:M+M

Photo Credits: Chingona Nice

Talented, Beautiful & Beyond Artistic

It had been a little over a year and a half since I last saw both Ximena Sariñana & Julieta Venegas. A lot has changed since they last performed in the Bay. When Ximena last played, she was still working on the material which eventually became her self-titled debut English album, and Julieta Venegas was pregnant and exuding "mommy" glow.

These beautiful and talented Mexican singer-songwriters played a show at the Fox Theater this past Sunday. Ximena opened the show, wearing a remarkably relaxed style which consisted of skinny jeans, Uggs, a plaid shirt and a sweater. Ximena did not need a fancy outfit or excessive makeup, her music did all of the work. She delighted the audience with songs from her English self-titled album, some which included Different, Echo Park and the Spanish song Tu Y Yo and of course she had to sing one of her fans favorite songs, Mediocre. She addressed the audience throughout her whole set and went back and forth between Spanish and English. Her set was a bit shorter than I would have liked, but she made the very best of the short time that she had.

Shortly after Ximena’s set concluded and after a relatively quick stage re-arrangement, Julieta came on stage accompanied by a six member band. Unlike the last time that she played at the Fox Theater, this time around, a skinny Julieta donned the stage wearing a fabulous fringed and long black dress, hair down and styled straight.

She performed for almost two hours alongside her band. From just singing to playing the guitar and the accordion (which has been her staple musical instrument of choice). Some of the songs that were part of Julieta’s repertoire from that night included: Canciones De Amor, Me Voy, Limon Y Sal, Eres Para Mi, Amores Perros, Seria Feliz & La Jaula De Oro. It seemed like the concert went by way too fast, but I was extremely pleased. It does not matter how many times I get to see these talented women perform, it is never the same.

Do not forget to check out Ximena’s latest CD, if you have enjoyed her Spanish music, her English album will not let you down.


Credits: Another Planet Entertainment 

Julieta Venegas Lights Up the Fox Theater

Julieta Venegas came on stage and there was something different about her, there was no famous accordion on sight, such was replaced by a pregnant belly. It was perhaps the “mommy” glow that Julieta Venegas displayed but there was something magical in the air and all the attendees knew that it was going to be a great show. The place to witness this magic was Another Planet Entertainment sponsored Fox Theater in Oakland.
The artist in charge of opening for the night was none other than Ceci Bastida, who like Venegas led the Mexican Band Tijuana NO. Bastida has been collaborating with Venegas since she sang back-up on several albums since 2000. It was only obvious that there was no other singer better suited to join Julieta Venegas in her series of concerts than Ceci Bastida also expect her in Lilith Fair, which will be coming to the Bay Area in July.
The anticipation for Venegas to set the stage was quickly rising until the spotlight captured the essence of her presence, wearing a simple cotton dress with ruffles and her hair up in a bun she was ready to delight her fans with a simply breath taking performance.  Her repertoire consisted of older songs such as, Seria Feliz from her 2000 album Bueninvento, De Mis Pasos, Limon Y Sal & Me Voy from her 2006 Limon Y Sal album. She also performed songs from her latest album titled Otra Cosa, one of such songs was Debajo De Mi Lengua.
Julieta Venegas definitely left her fans wanting more, due to her pregnancy, the show only lasted about an hour and a half, but it was absolutely an amazing show. She is definitely one of the most re-known female rockers deriving from Mexico. Expressing her political views she encouraged her fellow Mexican fans to show those who oppose immigration that Mexico is a country of vivid culture which has given birth to legendary icons, which was in the wake of the controversial new law in Arizona.
We will wait and see what she comes up with after she becomes a mom, in the meantime, pick up her new album “Otra Cosa.” The album is available in CD and digital version. For more information about Julieta Venegas or Ceci Bastida, check out their myspace, facebook & twitter and also their official websites:  www.julietavenegas.net or www.myspace.com/julietavenegas.