It’s tough to think about how bands can continue after the death of their lead singer. Especially over 30 years into their career. However, Argentinian rock legends Enanitos Verdes have no intention of letting that stop their momentum. Even after suffering the tremendous loss of singer Marciano Cantero in 2022. In celebration of the 30th anniversary of their acclaimed album Big Bang, Enanitos Verdes made their way to Chicago’s House Of Blues for a night of celebration, legacy, and amazing rock en españo.
I had previously attended Besame Mucho in Los Angeles where Enanitos Verdes performed their first show after the death of Cantero. Musicians from other bands such as Café Tacvba and Hombres G came out and sang the group’s songs in tribute. And while it was both emotional and celebratory, I found it hard to believe they would ever tour again.
Yet, if this show in my hometown demonstrated anything, it was that Enanitos Verdes still has a lot of life left to celebrate.
Spanish for “little green men”, Enanitos Verdes is one of the most famous rock acts to come out of Latin America. Songs like “Lamento Boliviano” and “La Muralla Verde” shot them to stardom. But even more incredible than their instantly recognizable sound is their musicianship. Taking the place of Cantero on vocals and guitar is Felipe Staiti. Not only did he do Cantero justice but from their biggest hits to the deepest of cuts, it was a fitting tribute to the band and legacy.
While its apparent Enanitos Verdes have in-fact become a legacy act, Staiti, Guillermo Vadalá, Jota Morelli, Bosco Aguilar, Arita Rockdriguez, and Damian Castroviejo lean into the tribute angle making it worth the price of admission. While that might be a turn-off for some, there’s no better way to honor a friend than a night of victorious achievement. Obviously, the absence of Cantero is noted, but it didn’t deter the band from their poise or energy.
For me, the intimacy of House of Blues made experiencing Enanitos Verdes so much more impactful.
Opening strong with “Creo,” “La Muralla Verde,” and “Cordillera.” each song had the crowd singing and jumping in excitement. So much so, Staiti didn’t even have to encourage the crowd to give their all! They are obliged to do it on their own! Throughout the set, there were times when Staiti took breaks and let the backup singers take over vocal duties. Rockdriguez and Castroviejo handled it masterfully, most notably during “Yo Pagaria.” Another pleasant surprise was the performance of “Celdas,” one of the group’s lesser-known songs off Big Bang.
Vadalá stole the show with his bass performance. As a bass player myself, I might be a bit biased, but his calm demeanor juxtaposed the funky and wild basslines he was throwing down. Truly a complete badass! During “Por el Resto,” Vadalá took a bass solo, effortlessly playing mind-boggling licks and getting the crowd hyped. This was immediately followed by a killer drum solo by Morelli. During the set, Staiti twice acknowledged the passing of their longtime bandmate.
Coming back for the encore, Staiti dedicated the song “Mariposas” to Cantero with a heartbreakingly beautiful rendition of their hit song.
Naturally, most of their well-known songs were saved for the end. Their cover of “Tu carcel” and arguably their most famous song “Lamento Boliviano” closed out the main part of the set. Both of which were accompanied by enough singing to deafen somebody. House of Blues was engulfed in a sea of cell phone flashlights for the final song of the night, “Luz de Dia.” With such a lovely melody and emotional chorus, there was truly no better way to close the show.
Legacy acts are tough. There’s no getting around that. Without question, seeing the group with Marciano Cantero would have been great, but that’s not the world we live in. It’s admirable that Enanitos Verdes chose to keep the music alive. Most importantly, they’re out there showing the world how it can be done right. Ultimately, what matters is the music. Despite being around well over 30 years, Enanitos Verdes, the thing that will endure once they’re gone is their music. A beautiful legacy audiences are blessed to experience.
All photos by Oscar De Leon
