At first instance, Colibrí wasn’t going to play songs from their own. Instead, they were given the honor and responsibility to pay tribute to one of the Country’s most important musicians: song writer Vytas Brenner, an outstanding man who was the first to fuse progressive rock with music genres from Venezuelan folklore.

The tribute was incredible, they performed a medley of the songs Agua Clara, Maracaibo, Caracas Para Locos and La Suite. The band seemed very fresh and natural on stage although they said -at the beginning of the concert- that they started setting the tribute up just 3 days before the music fest. Vytas fans were having a blast and even those who seemed not to have listened to his music before were nodding to the rhythm of the songs. I was recording it all as I kept thinking time after time that it was the most remarkable tribute that I had listened to at Nuevas Bandas Music Fest.

The Band members left the stage very fast because they were in a hurry to perform again at the theater. They had around 30 minutes to both change clothes and get to the other stage so they ran to the dressing rooms in order to get ready for what would actually be Colibrí’s show. Meanwhile, I had another issue to deal with: how the heck to get there.

Using the perks of being a photographer

At such a festival, there’s usually a lot of people and this wasn’t the exception. In my opinion, arriving and the culture center and finding an incredibly long queue for the theater was just discouraging, this was due to the fact that there were two stages: one of them outdoors for everyone who attended the Music Fest and the other one indoors. The latter had the aforementioned huge queue and was the place where Colibrí was about to perform. Thus, I had only 30 minutes to figure out how I would pass through about 100 people.

That’s how I used my secret weapon, I told the doorkeeper: “Hi, I’m the Band photographer and I need to get in” and as if by magic the girl gave me a small ticket with a printed number and told me “Photographers go on the first two rows, enjoy the show”. I made it to the theater blessed by the power of having a reflex camera, yes!

When I got in, I felt blind yet full of enthusiasm. The lighting was so dim I could barely see the steps as I walked on the stairs. I finally made it to the front row unhurt and I waited for

Colibrí

The opened with the song “Parásito” and ended with “Wakame” . The whole show was very enjoyable and full of energy from beginning to end, there were even moments when I couldn’t either record the show or take any photo because I was too busy living the moment. I sang, jumped and I even felt like crying with the song “El Daño”. I enjoyed their performance and, when it was over, I put down my camera to head for the dressing rooms. I congratulated the Band since I was very proud of them, especially of Juan David and Carlos -the Band guitar player and singer respectively- for we’ve been friends since school and seeing both of them grow artistically as well as push themselves for their goals made me feel a lot of joy and inspiration.

YouTube channel: Colibri

Closing event for the first day

Le Cinema

Once Colibrí band left, the next guest artists showed up; the Festival Nuevas Bandas 2017 winners: Le Cinema! - an alternative rock band from Caracas city, Venezuela. People there sang many of the Band’s songs, and the artists additionally played two covers: one from Viniloversus band and the other was a version of the son “El Martillo” by Caramelos de Cianuro band. Their performance was lit, and it meant the closing event for the Music Fest first day.

YouTube channel: Le Cinema

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Day 2: Sunday

I got there earlier this time and I once more used the perk of being a photographer in order to get in quickly. Because of this, I had the opportunity to take photos of much more bands. So let’s talk about their music!

The bands

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Tripland

This is a band that comes from Puerto La Cruz and whose repertoire ranges between rock, rock & roll, and funk. They’ve got a strong presence on stage, primarily because of the guitar player and the singer - the latter dances on stage as he shows some Elvis’ moves off.

YouTube channel: Tripland

Drosera Capensis

With a completely faithful to progressive rock vibe, we have Drosera Capensis band. They come from Barquisimeto and have both a peculiar name and a very particular sound due to the variation between genres such as garage, stoner and psychedelic rock… in the same song!

YouTube Channel: Drosera Capensis

• Curious fact: “Drosera Capensis” is the scientific name of a carnivorous plant, one of the best at thriving despite environment changes

Gran Radio Riviera

This is one of my favorites. They mix pop and alternative rock. They have catchy basslines and their synths provide every single song with its own particular touch. Highly recommended! They’ll soon release an official video of their song: “Impaciente” be sure to stay posted on the networks.

YouTube Channel: Gran Radio Riviera

“And the winner Festival Nuevas Bandas winner is… Anakena!”

Even if you don’t like bachata genre, your body will probably move for its own making you change your mind with the music these dudes make. Anakena is a band that approaches quite a range of genres including reggae, funk, bachata, pop and folk. For me, seeing them perform live was just insane. It’s definitely the kind of music you enjoy a lot more if the artists are there with you, and this is so because this guys have such a performance on stage! They even have their own dance move, which they all do at the same time, hilarious. They create a true connection with the audience, the artists know how to drag people’s attention with their presence on stage. Their award was well-deserved.

Special Mentions

The bands Nomásté (from Caracas), Drosera Capensis (from Barquisimeto) and Frailes (from Valencia) were given special recognition at the Music Fest

• YouTube Channel: Nomásté
• YouTube Channel: Frailes
• YouTube Channel: Drosera Capensis

From the mud the lotus blooms	Island Visions	Ad Libitum - Be in a rock orchestra