Mexican R&B Makes a Strong Case For Its Popularity in Bay Area Music.
Berkeley, Calif. — Girl Ultra, born Mariana de Miguel, whose statistical records on Spotify and Apple music speak volumes to the popularity of the artist across Mexico, Latin America, found an abundance of success in niches across the United States in her most recent tour. In mid-April, the city of Berkeley brought visitors from all over Northern California and the Central Valley to see the hidden diamond on stage.
Mexican rock and contemporary music from Latin America elevated the bar lobby as guests filed in for the “if you know you know” favorite from CDMX. The clock ticked closer to 9PM, the night’s show began with Mint Field. Led by vocalist and guitarist Estrella del Sol and bassist Sebastian Neyra, listeners were graced with their soft and sweet stage presence to lull the audience’s ears to their collective’s psychedelic progressive-rock and ballads.
Dressed with a calm flow, Estrella del Sol and Sebastian Neyra treated listeners to a genre of music within their dominion of original Mexican sound. The ending of their set was an experience of finality that iconized their momentous show.
Soon after, the rhythmic detail swiftly located their instruments, began to play the intros, to then devise the entrance listeners were waiting for beginning a Sunday night of sound, “laughter”, and shaking. The beauty of the presentation was in the structure of the set, not sparing the audience even the moment to sneak a “second” drink from the bartenders.
No matter the audience’s proximity to their stage, the invitations to stay and move closer to the stage were far greater than the will to leave. Playing her favorites brought listeners to cheers and nostalgia as songs spanned five years.
Tracks were in a variety of tempos, the live band and comfortability of the daring Ultra gave the filled floor melodic improvisations to marvel upon as well as a beat to bust a move to. In attendance on stage, was an artist with a strong sense of ambiance.
As she began to close the hypnotism of her performance, she played “Smells Like Team Spirit” to mark the collective familiarity of music with the crowd. An early walk-off brought the classic conclusion of returning to the stage, but the surprise on-brought by Ultra’s run-in with the fans on the floor brought the movement of her music personally to the adoration.
Berkeley’s Cornerstone was the last stop on the U.S. tour. Having performed in Berkeley once before, Girl Ultra visited vibes and familiar faces to create a shiny spectacle while further developing the audience’s taste for musical artists from CDMX’s nuevo rock and blues.
