“ethical issue”
Venezuela, which exported singers and set the standard in the development of shows, had not received international artists since 2016 and some of them received harsh criticism for appearing in the midst of the economic crisis and the complex political situation.
The Colombian Malumafor instance, he was convicted that year for singing at a free event sponsored by the government of President Nicolás Maduro.
“The international artists saw that and it was like ‘how are we going to party in the middle of a crisis?’, and nobody wanted to come,” says the producer. “In the end they began to deny the possibility of going to Venezuela for an ethical issue.”
Between 2016 and 2020, Venezuela was immersed in widespread shortages, including food, medicine and fuel, mixed with anti-government protests and political tensions, and then the restrictions due to the covid-19 pandemic.
This is really what Caracas and Venezuela need… People really let off steam
Arian Prieto, 23, is excitedly waiting in line to enter the concert by SanLuis, a national duo that has composed for Marc Anthony or Christina Aguilera.
He can’t remember the last time he went to a show. “She was underage,” she says.
“This is really what Caracas and Venezuela are missing… People are really letting off steam.”
The two shows offered by the duet in Caracas closed to a full house, like most concerts this year: from the Mexican Alejandro Fernández to the Venezuelan duo Servando and Florentino, who ended up opening a third show.
Morat it was a phenomenon. The Colombian band had never visited Venezuela and in just two hours the fans collapsed the website where tickets were soldwhile the waiting time to buy at the box office was up to 10 hours.
“It exceeded expectations,” says Meléndez, from AGTE LIVE.
The Mexican bands Camila and Sin Bandera also sold out the tickets for their concert on June 15 in two days, including those in the VIP area, which had boxes for 10 people at a cost of $5,000, a figure that sparked strong criticism.
Attendees defend the celebration of these events. “I had to make an effort precisely to be them too and I said: ‘Now is the time and it’s worth it,'” says Angie Mora, a fan of Il Divo, who did not visit Venezuela for 13 years.
The new “boom” of concerts in Venezuela is just taking flight. The government also promotes events and on state television the return of these shows is extolled, although without delving into rates or payment methods.
In fact, from June 11 to 15 they organize a salsa festival, Maduro’s favorite genre, which will feature “friend” artists such as Maelo Ruíz and Álex De Castro.