Word of Día Nacional de la Banda returning to Las Vegas is enough incentive for attendees of previous banda superconcerts to add it to their calendars, but a lineup that counts legendary singer-songwriter Pancho Barraza as headliner practically makes attendance mandatory. Even better, the concert serves as a tribute to Barraza with a curated lineup set to pay homage to one of Sinaloa’s favorite musical sons.
Barraza, 63, will be honored the day of the show with his own piece of pavement on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars, then will serve as guest of honor on a bill that features La Arrolladora Banda El Limón, Luis Angel “El Flaco”, La Adictiva, Banda Los Sebastianes, Edwin Luna y La Trakalosa De Monterrey, Gerardo Coronel, Majo Aguilar, Adal Loreto, Banda Renovación. Special guest Eslabon Armado will keep the stage warm as the penultimate performer of the evening.
The concert is cousin to its precursor Calibash, which has been held in Las Vegas in the past but only took place in the Golden State this year. Día Nacional de la Banda is the Vegas version of bringing the best in banda music to the same stage in celebration of Mexico’s music of the people.
Like country music, banda has its origins in the 19th century when horns and wind instruments became obtainable in Mexico’s villages and musicians began to formulate a style of playing influenced by marching bands and European folk dances such as polkas. Where country relied on string instruments that evolved into bass and electric guitars, banda’s bottom end is established with brass. If there’s a tuba or saxophone, it’s banda.
Barraza established himself in Mexico’s music industry in the ’90s as a grupo vocalist but became a featured singer with Banda los Recoditos where his songwriting ability began to match his compassionate singing. He was just as adept with rancheros and romanticos, and released first solo album Mis Canciones de Amor in 1995. He became known as “The Poet of Love” with many chart successes.
His most recent single released in October, “Me Voy a Alejar,” exemplifies his style and demonstrates his continuing relevance as an artist. Barraza’s ability to electrify audiences remains consistent, as is the case with Eslabon Armado. Having the youthful Mexican-American act as special guests opening for Barraza creates a bridge between generations, as Eslabon Armado is part of a new wave of banda proponents charting the music’s future course.
More minimalist than ensemble, Eslabon Armado relies more on guitars enhanced by horns than synthesized sounds to get people on their feet. La Adictiva has no such restrictions and turns the proceedings into party time with songs such as “El Pisto.”
Lush arrangement in the recorded work from Luis Angel “El Flaco” will fill T-Mobile Arena with romantic atmosphere during his set. Expect songs of amor, both faithful and forbidden, from the likes of La Arrolladora Banda El Limón, Banda Los Sebastianes, Edwin Luna y La Trakalosa De Monterrey, Coronel, Aguilar and Loreto. It’s a rare occasion to have so much talent under one roof on one date, one that should not be missed by connoisseurs of cumbia beats.
T-Mobile Arena, 8 p.m. Jan. 26, starting at $96.67 plus tax and fee. axs.com
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