MANÁ Rocks Los Angeles Again and Sets Record at Staples Center

by Gladys Rios | April 23, 2012

With more than 25 years of experience in the music industry, MANÁ has proven again that they are a force to be reckoned with, setting the record at 11, for most performances ever played at Staples Center, honor previously held by Britney Spears with eight performances. “It’s like a dream. There has been a special chemistry between the Hispanics in the US and MANÁ. We are like family,” said Fher Olvera, lead singer, at a recent press conference. Alex González, drummer, adds, “It’s a tremendous honor to say that this building is not only home to the Lakers, but it’s now the MANÁ house!” Present as well, the remaining members of the band, Sergio Vallín, lead guitarist and Juan Calleros, bassist.

Last Friday and Thursday, with applause, screams, singing and dancing to their favorite songs, fans filled the arena and showed their passion to one of the greatest Rock bands in the world. MANÁ opened the concert with the hit “Oye Mi Amor,” followed with newer hits like, “Lluvia Al Corazón,” “Amor Clandestino” and “Latinoamerica,” and some of the classic songs that made them famous like “Rayando El Sol,” “Me Vale” and “Vivir Sin Aire.”

To everyone’s surprise, Olvera called to the stage famous Spanish singer, Enrique Bunbury, to sing in duet “El Dragón.” As if two hours of pouring their hearts out wasn’t enough, MANÁ gave their fans two extra songs, “Corazón Espinado” and “Labios Compartidos,” as an encore.

MANÁ has not only been committed to their music and their fans, but also to the environment and social issues. Right now, they are urging Hispanics to register and vote, supporting the movement Voto Latino. “Go out and vote for the candidate that offer the best for Hispanics,” said González. For Olvera this is something very important, “We are really worried about racism. We don’t want those laws that were born in Arizona to cloud the rest of the country. They are anti-humanitarian. We want respect, dignity, and support. Go vote!”

When asked what MANÁ’s legacy will be for future generations, Vallín says, “The most important thing that we do is give music. We offer dreams and it gives us pleasure to see people happy with what we do. Stepping on the stage is incredible, it's like being in heaven, and we see our fans as another member of MANÁ. That is unique.”