Music festival rocks
An indie-style rock band performs in the San Jose del Cabo plaza during Fiesta de la Musica. Photo by Ed Kociela
By Ed Kociela
One of our favorite places to hang out is the plaza in San Jose del Cabo.
We have been there for Mexican Independence Day, Day of the Dead celebrations, Christmas fiestas, and a number of other events we just sort of stumbled upon.
We find it the coolest place to hang out because it is a wonderful place for people-watching—we have what we call a couple of “gawking corners” where we watch the world pass by—and you never know what to expect.
I mean, we have seen guys coming back from the nearby arroyo with a huge snake trapped inside a five-gallon water bottle and we have seen school kids dance to cultural music.
One of our favorite things is the annual Fiesta de la Musica.
From punk to classical, there was a wide variety of musical styles offered during Fiesta de la Musica. Photo by Ed Kociela
First, there is a pretty amazing amount of talent here at Land’s End. Whether it’s classical music, rock, reggae, punk, pop, blues, or cool jazz, it’s here and it’s good.
That’s why we took a leisurely stroll through town last week for the show.
The first band we listened to looked like The Ramones and sounded like Megadeth. There was a Latin percussion outfit out in front of one of the shops, some classical music students on the main stage, a sort of progressive-alternative blend on a side street in the art district, and a soft rock outfit between the art district and Centro. Then, it was back to the plaza where we took in what would be called an indie music act.
The Baja music scene is wide and diverse. It has opened my ears to some of the jazz styles that emanate from Guadalajara and deepened my appreciation for the street troubadours we see from Cabo to Cabo. Those guys have some pretty good chops and put a unique spin on some of my favorites. I mean, it’s one thing to listen to Carlos Santana do a song like“Black Magic Woman” and quite another to hear a strolling mariachi outfit do it
Percussive, cultural music was also offered during Fiesta de la Musica. Photo by Ed Kociela
acoustically. There’s a little place we like to visit where a musician entertains the afternoon lunch crowd with versions of everything from “Malaguena” to “Smoke On The Water” on a classical guitar.
It’s part of the flavor of the place, the atmosphere, the vibe that resonates through our little community. And, it all comes together each year during Fiesta de la Musica.
As a guitar player, I know how expensive some of the trappings of musicianship can be here—from instruments to accessories like straps and strings. So, next time one of these strolling outfits comes by, don’t hesitate to have them stop and serenade you.
But, remember, they are pretty much working for tips, so be generous.
That whole starving artist thing? It’s highly overrated.
Ed Kociela is a writer for Los Cabos Magazine. You can reach him by email at edkociela.mx@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/EdKociela.