Concert Review: Javiera Mena Brings Glam To Pop At Drom NYC

Javiera Mena is Chilean superstar, and after watching El Guincho, I was eager to see more artists igniting a pop bridge between Latin America and my heart. I knew I was going to like Javiera Mena when I saw her wearing silver-glittered pants. Once, you wear glitter pants you HAVE ME! I am in full support system, and Mena gives you a performance you want to support.
Javiera Mena – Sincronía, Pegaso

I like to think of Mena as glam-pop. While the stage was not an elaborate, MSG production, with her 80’s decked back-up dancers, the concert felt like a birthday-sparkler; it had the same frenetic, but colorful energy bursting around in child-like glee. Of course, the crowd was readily there to support Chile’s biggest pop-star whose fierce commentary of politics and LGBT/ Latin history has burgeoned her iconic status. She is clearly a person who defines herself, and was moved by the crowd’s attraction to her confidence and independence. Such a demeanor is especially radiant when you think of how retro Mena is in style and grace. Looking back in time to bring forth a femininity of strength and retro-rock may not seem like an obvious or smart choice considering that, even now, women struggle to be seen equally powerful to “frontmen”. The irony is that her homages to 1960’s – 1980’s girl-bands in dance and music show that glitz, in a way, is a form of fortitude. When you see someone whose brazen in personality and fashion, you watch them in awe and slight jealousy. Even if they look crazy, they are themselves, and that is freedom. Mena’s performance is a celebration of this truth with tracks such as, “Sincronía, Pegaso”, “Luz De Piedra De Luna”, and “Espada”. These songs proves Mena has had over a decade of hits synchronizing a core message to her ever-changing music sounds and images: if being unique is insanity, then I’d rather be insane.
Javiera Mena. Luz de Piedra de Luna

I wish Javiera Mena would do more massive tours in the U.S., and I am excited to see what soundscapes she promises to traverse. It is clear that nothing is ever the same with Javiera Mena; she is constantly growing, which makes her so refreshing to watch in concert and as a purveyor of music. There are certain artists that describe their creativity like an ultimate destination they are forever rising to, but Mena does not see her artistry as a place she will never able to see. She sees her music as who she is as a person, of which her spirit will never be tethered to a place or position beyond what sounds in her heart. P.S. Major shoutout to her back-up dancers for driving the cinematic scope of Mena’s music through their fun and back-bending choreography. For More Information On Javiera Mena Click Here.
Javiera Mena – Otra Era