History Does Not Repeat Itself Unless You Do
by Dede Vidal
Photos by Fernando Reyes Matienzo
Haciendo Punto en Otro Son, Moliendo Vidrio and Fiel a la Vega came together on the same stage, bringing one voice to sing a musical representation of nostalgia and patriotic solidarity. It happened twenty-one years ago, and now it happened again. On Saturday, December 21, 2019 these bands joined forces to bring a Historical Gathering at the Puerto Rico Coliseum. It was an evening where the audience enjoyed their hits and other classic song once more.
A few days before the concert, the musicians were at a press conference where Josy Latorre, from Haciendo Punto en Otro Son said "the moment in which this gathering is happening is very important, due to the conditions of what is happening in our country. This type of music is always linked to that reality. And not only here, but also in Latin America and what we are going to be presenting is relevant to the recent events."
Haciendo Punto (Irving García, Silverio Pérez, and Josy Latorre) started the concert with the song Vida Campesina. Silverio was in charge of telling anecdotes related to each topic. Nor did he miss the touch of political ideals in the introductions of songs like Viva los Estudiantes, composed by Victoria de la Parra, dedicated to the university students who appeared in the demonstrations that occurred in the summer of 2019 and the women fighters of the island. They also remembered the founder and father of the nova trova, Tony Croatto, dedicating his memory with Ensillando Mi Caballo and Los Caminos by Pablo Milanés.
Urban music artist Medina Carrión made a guest appearance, contributing his talents of hip-hop with Asunto de Dinero. The segment closed with the emotive song La Muralla by Nicolás Guillén.
Moliendo Vidrio immediately took the stage, opening their set with El Tambor and then with De Ciales Soy, a décima sung by Carmen Nydia Velázquez. Part of their repertoire included two themes based on the stories of Abelardo Díaz Alfaro such as Peyo Mercé, about the boy who had to learn English at school and The Grandmother's Gesture, a story about love for the country, to which they received a standing ovation. Another song in their repertoire was Oh Patria, authored by Rafael Hernández in his dance version, performed by Peter Torres and Maribel González. They closed their musical proposal with La Montaña. Carmen Nydia Velázquez, Gary Núñez, and Emanuel' Sunshine' Logroño were fabulous in their presentation.
After a small pause, Fiel a la Vega, opened their segment with La prosperidad, followed by September Río Piedras, Medley Fiel, and Salimos de Aquí. The Fieles kept the audience standing and rocking that anyone could feel strong vibes throughout the venue.
The last segment of the evening gathered all the musicians and singers with songs representing the daily life of Puerto Rico such as Boricua en la luna, Mujer de mi patria, and El Wanabí. Then Plena Libre emerge to the stage for the encore, bringing more to close the concert with anthems like Pueblo unido and Mañana por la mañana.
The event was not a sellout even in the intermediate modality of the Choliseo. Still, those present enjoyed a quality show, very nostalgic, with two of the symbolic groups of the movement of the New Puerto Rican Song.
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A few days before the concert, the musicians were at a press conference where Josy Latorre, from Haciendo Punto en Otro Son said "the moment in which this gathering is happening is very important, due to the conditions of what is happening in our country. This type of music is always linked to that reality. And not only here, but also in Latin America and what we are going to be presenting is relevant to the recent events."
Urban music artist Medina Carrión made a guest appearance, contributing his talents of hip-hop with Asunto de Dinero. The segment closed with the emotive song La Muralla by Nicolás Guillén.
The last segment of the evening gathered all the musicians and singers with songs representing the daily life of Puerto Rico such as Boricua en la luna, Mujer de mi patria, and El Wanabí. Then Plena Libre emerge to the stage for the encore, bringing more to close the concert with anthems like Pueblo unido and Mañana por la mañana.
The event was not a sellout even in the intermediate modality of the Choliseo. Still, those present enjoyed a quality show, very nostalgic, with two of the symbolic groups of the movement of the New Puerto Rican Song.
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