Leon Larregui, frontman from Mexico City alt-rock band – Zoe, had recently started his solo 16-date US tour earlier this week and made a stop in Los Angeles’ Orpheum Theatre on Friday night. Also as a lead singer from his fellow band, Zoe, he has been the forefront of Spanish indie-rock during the mid 2000s and 2010s era. He has collaborated with many infamous Spanish-speaking musicians including Natalia Lafourcade, Enrique Bunbury, Carla Morrison, among others.
Whereas the band, Zoe, is a melting pot of indie-rock and neo psych-rock, his solo career can be explained in a few words – loving, caressing, and dearing. As the two are not the same, Larregui dives into his songs with careful motion on every spectrum of life. For one of his popular songs, “Sovenir,” this song can be enjoyed in English or Spanish. As the lyrics explained, finding satisfaction in making one other happy can come at a cost of losing purpose on one self. And throughout the song, Larregui makes the comparison of focusing on one self as a sovenir.
In his newest album, titled, Prismarama, Larregui has now explored song writing to multitude of sub-genres including electronic-synth. In the tune, “Amantes,” he explores the reality of love but rather in a long-distance affair. And in the song, “Chromocosmic Avenue,” Larregui explores a tune featuring Italian songwriter, Giorgio Poi. As the song details lyrical meaning of two persons that in-need of seeing each other. But concerns arise with “Is anyone else watching you?”
The live show on Friday night brought great environment vibes amongst the crowds, no matter where one was seating. Perhaps a change of venue would not make a difference. One can notice that as Larregui is embarking on his tour, he chose and picked carefully on which venues he wanted to play at. A 16-date tour, all in this month – not an easy task!
Larregui started his solo career in 2012 after approximately a five-year period of extensive work with his other band. This allowed his first solo album, Solstis, to eventually reach double-platinum status. Along the way, Larregui has released several more albums – not including his newest, Prismarama, set to release later this year. The newest album marks since 2016, Voluma, which was his second solo album release.
Photo Credit: Cheleguanaco
Setlist: Su Majestad // Sunny Days // Aurora // Carmin // Souvenir // Como Tu // Chromocosmic Avenue // Alba // Fake News // Tiraste // Birdie // Rue // Mar // Quetzal // Tarot // Brillas // Amantes // Incendio // Locos