Maná: Music, Theatre and Emotions

By Heather Larson

Phoenix Photo Gallery

(Phoenix, Tx)- The first of two Mana shows in Phoenix at U.S. Airways Center for the Amar Es Combatir World Tour proved that Mana is a rock band that does not need anyone else to warm up their crowd for them. Mana does not need an opening act before they play because the crowd is excited before the official adrenaline rush begins. The crowd of proud Hispanics held up homemade signs and Mexican flags while chanting “Mana! Mana!” Despite the arena full of adoring fans, Mana worked hard every second for all the affection.

Before the band even took to the stage, a clear point needed to be made about U.S. immigration policies. The arena went dark as the curtain around the stage was lit up with a simple sight: a brick wall topped in barbed wire with a helicopter hovering over it, shining a spotlight at the wall. A young boy climbed up and over the top onto the other side as the crowd roared. Adrenaline sizzled through the crowd as more people scaled the wall. The crowd’s cheers grew louder as each man made a safe passage to the other side. With a blast, the wall finally exploded and disappeared to the loudest applause yet. The curtain came down revealing Mana!

“It was awesome!” says Josie of Casa Grande, a city between Phoenix and Tucson. “It was amazing. It was something that symbolizes a lot to us. We’re Hispanic, we’re in America, we’re here, and everybody’s going to know about it…You’re going to run into a Hispanic every time you turn the corner. So if you don’t know what’s going on, if you don’t know the language, if you just don’t understand the culture, it’s going to be a culture shock to you.”

The band named for positive energy was greeted with an arena full of it. Mana’s fans were on their feet for the entire time, except for one lucky lady invited onstage to sit and enjoy a glass of red wine along with a serenade from Fher and Sergio.

They played favorites such as “Mariopsa Traicionera,” “Oye Mi Amor,” “Vivir Sin Aire,” and newer songs “Manda Una Senal,” “Bendita Tu Luz,” and “Labios Compartidos.” Of course, a Mana concert is about so much more than just the musica. The Latin population of Phoenix is growing rapidly and making their mark on the city’s culture.

“I think it’s a great thing,” says Michelle of Ahwatukee. “More people get involved. More people are not only listening to the music but learning about the culture and the environment.”

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