The Marías Welcome back los angelenos to live music

María at the Ford Theater, LA by Jacob Alvarez and edited by Paige Strickland

INDIE VETERANS DEBUTED TRACKS OFF LATEST LP, CINEMA AT HISTORIC FORD THEATER IN LA

“I’m glad we get to share this moment,” María said to a sold out crowd on Friday evening. The audience filled the 101 year old Ford Theater in LA, a few blocks away from partner venue, the Hollywood Bowl. Friends of the artists and some lucky fans made up the people in the seats, although most were standing as well as dancing in the rows.

I arrived with my old friend Sol from college. We met at SFSU and hadn’t seen each other in some time so with my extra ticket, I invited him. We met up with my other friend, Jaycob and his partner as they were celebrating their three year anniversary. Having never been to the venue, it was a very laid back vibe that seemed to have the audience of a night at the Bowl with the older crowd sharing drinks and swapping stories of how they ended up at the show. I got a look around and took some photos from the very last row, with a conversation with a rep from the LA Phil filling me in on how the venue operates a little of its history.

As the clock struck 9pm, the lights dimmed in the miniature amphitheater, with members Josh, Jesse, and Eddie taking their place on stage as well as the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra filling in for the string arrangements off the band’s debut album. The night marked the first time songs from Cinema were played live, and the fans ate it up. It wasn't shocking to see that everyone was mouthing the words to newer songs, having only been about a month or so old. After a few technical errors, the band easily breezed through an 18 song set, opening with new tracks, “Just a Feeling” and “Calling U Back.” After listening to this album on repeat for a few weeks, it was very special to hear the first live renditions and getting to watch the band operate and have a good time. My favorite track off the LP, “Fog as a Bullet” was played to perfection and the band covered fan favorite “Baby One More Time,” with María delivering a few words about standing in solidarity with Brittney Spears and her goal of gaining control of her own life.

It seemed like a pristine show, which makes the band interesting in that sense. Their music can be celebrated at a venue like the Fonda with young people dancing and grooving but can simultaneously play somewhere like the Walt Disney Concert Hall with the way they carry themselves. This show had a mix of both, and so while the band went off stage, I quickly made my way to the very front where the fans were forming a pit of their own. María and co. came back after the audience chanted for more and played “Hush” and finished off strong with “Cariño.” The band thanked everyone for coming as well as the support of the LA youth Orchestra and the night’s trumpeter, who were met with much praise and cheer every time they stepped on stage. I was lucky enough to get a set list, although I didn’t need a piece of paper in order to remember this night. I look forward to seeing the band again when they tour next year and I am happy to see the growth and support that they’ve undoubtedly experienced over their latest release. Check out the set list here!