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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.
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Lila is the ultimate performer. She draws the audience to her and we feel the passion which she sings with. I enjoyed the evening and left the concert completely satisfied with the event primarily because of Lila and not far behind were her professional musicians.
The Lila Downs concert was an evening of beautiful, high energy music!
Lila Downs is the new Chabela Vargas mixed with Amparo Ochoa. An activist and a gifted singer. She does whatever she wants with her voice and any song, traditional or new takes new life. I had the CD before the concert but after attending, I listened and listened to it again. Musicians were very professional and top notched, giving an unplugged real quality. She invited a local female Mariachi from El Paso. Flores Mexicanas did not disappoint us either. Thanks for the tickets sis!. Excellent Birthday present!
Excellent program and performance!!!! Lila has a unique and amazing voice, and the musicians of the band are extraordinaire!!!!
Lila is amazing I love her show and The Plaza Theatre was a great place to watch the show.
Start to end excellent Lila voice awesome we will be back to see her again and again
Lila,the production & sound fabulous, Strobes-NO!!
Saw Lila Downs at the Pantages Theater, the entire show was just magical and well worth the 6 hour drive from my home to LA. Her voice is so amazing, sweat yet powerful from jazz to ranchero she makes each song her own. I have heard many of the old time songs with dozen of other artists but Ms. Downs interprets each song with her own style and with such passion that it is like I am hearing the song for the first time. Thank you, Lila Downs for such an amazing and magical performance. Thank you to the Lila's band and to the Mariachi Reina de los Angeles for their contribution to the magic of Lila Downs.
My first time seeing her in concert. I was impressed.
Lila Downs is one of our favorite singers. We may be gringos but we are big, big Fans. This show was 'different' because she did mostly new songs, fewer of the ballads and folk songs that she does so incredibly beautifully. So we didn't know them, but still, Lila Downs can sing anything and we will love it. But we missed them. If I end up rating four stars instead of five, it's because I felt the sound system was inferior at the Pantages. I'm no audio expert, apologies, but I thought it sounded muffled. We were in the balcony which is where most people agree the best sound is at least in many theaters. Maybe not at the Pantages? Either the mics or the speakers were dull.
I was alright. The price was good. The Mariachi group was my highlite.
The evening started with an all female mariachi performed to warm up the crowd. Once Lila Downs came out on stage, the audience was electrified. What an incredible range as an artist, her show featured classic and innovative pieces that were both deeply personal and also universal.
Fourth time to see Lila Downs is concert and they only get better and better. She is magical. I can't wait to see her next concert. She's amazing!
Lila is simply amazing, she embodies both the dark and light side of humanity. Her vocal range was amazing as was the opening act. Only misstep was the venue did not allow enough time in intermission for socializing, etc.. Otherwise amazing show!!!
Seen her several times, and this was the best show that I've seen.
I've been chasing this woman down for about 8 years and I finally got to see her and at a theatre I love! I wish I had been able to see her all these years, because she was amazing, just like I thought she would be. If you have a chance to see her, do it! It was a wonderful experience.
We had a fabulous time! Would recommend this show and venue.
Lila's music is so beautiful and colorful just like her clothing . . . Would definitely go to another of her concerts anytime. My only problem with the theatre was that they didn't allow cameras inside
LILA DOWNS CONCERT WAS DIFFERENT - DID NOT LIKE THAT CONCERTS STARTS AT 8 AND SHE REALLY STARTS SINGING TILL AN HOUR LATER FOR ONLY TWO HOURS...
best show EVER!- she has a great voice and so much energy and heart and she gives it all to the audience. it was inspiring and so much fun- and the mariachi contingent and video backdrop made it fantastic- the whole house was up and dancing!! it was literally a transcendental experience and I have seen the greats: nina simone, ella fitzgerald, loretta lynn, stevie ray vaughn, patty smith, etc...
