No more results on this page
Lila Downs is the daughter of a Mixtec Indian woman, Anastasia Sanchez, who ran away from her village at 19 to sing in Mexico City cantinas and a Minnesota-born, Scottish-American film & photography professor, Allen Downs, who saw her singing and fell in love. Lila Downs was born in the Oaxacan mountain town of Tlaxiaco, 7,000 feet up in the heavens. The first songs she remembers are her mother singing Lola Beltrán's heartfelt rancheras, and her father singing Woody Guthrie's ''This Land Is Your Land.'' Her border-blurring, multicultural upbringing infused Downs with a firm world view in support of the disenfranchised working classes and an aesthetic vision that embraces cross-cultural pollinations.
As a result Downs has become one of the most innovative exponents of Mesoamerican music on both sides of the border. Her lyrics are high-minded and sentient and her sound is all encompassing. By drawing on a pan-Latin palette of music as well as American folk, jazz, blues and rock, Downs and her worldly band of kindred spirits, La Misteriosa, have won accolades and a devoted following of world music fans. Known for her smoky voice and magnetic performances, Downs has created a unique body of work that defies categorization in any single genre.
With eight studio albums and one live album released since 1999, Lila Downs has long been recognized by the music industry. She received a Latin Grammy for the 2004 release “Una Sangre,” and a Grammy nomination for 2008’s “Shake Away,” as well as various performance awards from around the world. Her 2011 release, "Pecados y Milagros" garnered both a Latin Grammy for Best Folk Album, and a Grammy for Best Regional Mexican Music Album. It also hit #1 on the Mexican music charts immediately after its initial release, and reached Double Platinum status there.
In addition to headlining venues all over the world, Lila Downs has performed at major festivals and events including WOMAD; Live Earth; Montreal Jazz Festival, San Francisco Jazz Festival, the World Sacred Music Festival - appearing with such luminaries as the Dalai Lama; the Latino Inaugural Ball for President Barack Obama, the Bicentenario de Mexico, the opening ceremonies for the 2011 Pan American Games, and the 2012 Latin Grammys on Univision.
Encore
Encore
Encore
Encore
Lila Downs Was amazing as always, but can't believe we had to listen to 2 hours of little kids play Mariachi when unfortunately were not very good, Lila only played for 45 mins. Aida Cuevas was a big surprise. But I would've loved to hear more Lila Downs and her original songs. The sound quality was good but just a bit too loud,
Wonderful format and acoustics, sightlines excellent
Lila Downs NEVER disappoints! Her voice is amazing, her interaction is always humble and beautiful. HOWEVER, we waited what was almost 2 hours for her to come out. The mariachi seemed to take over this show with close to 2 hours of just mariachi and dance. When she finally did join the mariachi, she sang about 40 or so minutes. In my opinion, it was disrespectful but the crowd was yelling for Lila to come out about an hour in, but I sympathized though. Her name was first on the title of the show so we expected her to be the headliner, not the mariachi. I feel seats were sold because we expected Lila to be "ACCOMPANIED" by the mariachi, not the other way round. Again, it was a really beautiful show but we didn't get enough of Lila and since the mariachi was WITH Lila through her performance, the first two hours could have easily been cut in half. The person in charge of the slideshow didn't seem to know what they were doing either. The slides were mixed up and on an incorrect loop.
I would strongly recommend this event for the entire family. Lila's voice is such a powerful representation of our heritage and the visual components will leave you breathless.
Crowd pleaser! Amazing singer and performer, I will be going to her other concerts.
The even was 3 hours, We waited two to see Lila Downs. The other participants were fine but I thought we would see more of Lila.
Lila Downs represents the soul of Mexico, traditions, legends, folklore and the beauty of the her singing open minds and hearts.
Lila put on a Awesome show and sang all most all the songs i wanted to hear, except CUANDO ME TOCAS TU. which i really wanted to hear.I would love to see Lila again so i hope Lila can make to Atlanta. The Guadalupe dancers were awesome.
Lila Downs put on a powerful, colorful, passionate performance! Her unique voice and style had us on the edge of our seats! Beautiful, strong voice! Great show. This is my third Lila Downs concert. Can't wait for the next!! My only complaint is that many people came in late. Ushers should not have permitted late comers and others to get up and walk across in front of audience during performance. It is rude and VERY DISRUPTIVE!!
The Lila Downs show was great. Her singing and the music were awesome.
I love the performance and attended both this year and last year. I also attended one of her concerts over 10 years ago in Madison, WI! It makes happy to see her proud of her heritage. Very educated about her culture. I love her her magnificent voice. Everything is awesome about her. I was a bit disappointed that her concert was not as long as I had anticipated. Maybe less than two hours. Her fans love her and she only comes once a year to San Antonio so now we have to wait another year to see her again. I don't know of other performers as great as her that's is why I was sad that it was a short concert.
Each and every song was perfectly performed, and in addition very good collaboration with the Guadalupe Dance Company. The show started and ended with the right mix of songs, specially at the end. Son de Difuntos and Balas y Chocolate! a seamless contination of songs and dance. And the duel with the trumpeter and the trombone was truly something to see and hear!
I am happy to have seen her in person. Definitely worth the trip and money I will go see her again
TOP GROUP.GROUP PL AYED WITH SOPHISTICATED ABANDON.
I enjoyed Lila Downs. It was rather tame and pleasant. I must admit that I found Las Reinas de Los Angeles made Lila Downs more of a pleasant time. If they ever tour on their own, sign me up to this all woman mariachi group. Love. Love. Love.
Just great! The Theatre was well staffed by professional, pleasant folks. The sound was very good as well as the lighting. AND Lila Downs was just incredible; truly! I'd go back to the APOLLO THEATRE to see the exact same show again!
Great show and mariachi band was awesome I would recommend her to anyone
Lila Downs was so much more fun than expected, will definitely go see her again at Lincoln Center in May. I only wish the show could last longer. And the Mariacho flor de toloache Awesome!
The opening "mariachi " act was an annoyance to the audience and an insult to mexican music. Lila downs doesnt need an opener and neither do we Rest of show was great.
It was really something to see this woman's ability to use her voice in so many ways but also how creative and colorful all was. The whole metaphorical and symbolic referencing was truly amazing. This culture( Mexican)us without doubt immensely rich and Lika is great at showing that.
