Chicano Batman at Paradise Rock Club
Written for ECHO Magazine | Published by ECHO on May 17, 2024
Fans lined up outside Paradise Rock Club last Friday, May 10th, eagerly awaiting the funky, psychedelic sounds of the LA-based band Chicano Batman. Boston was the 17th stop on their long U.S. tour after the release of their latest album titled ‘Notebook Fantasy,’ which has already received high praise from The Recording Academy, Billboard, and Alternative Press.
Colombian-Canadian artist Lido Pimienta opened for Chicano Batman with an instantly vibrant energy. Cracking jokes and sharing snippets of her journey through motherhood, Pimienta effortlessly connected with her audience, weaving anecdotes with her energetic melodies. She’s a natural performer! Her youthful yet wise lyricism felt like the perfect complementary act for Chicano Batman’s grooviness.
The stage setup, although quite simple, was pretty mesmerizing. Iridescent, sparkling streamers cascaded down the wall behind the stage. The interplay of light and color created a trippy atmosphere that looked just as cool on camera as it did to the audience’s eye.
Chicano Batman kicked off their set with “Beautiful Daughter” from their new album ‘Notebook Fantasy.’ There’s nothing quite like hearing Eduardo Arenas’ opening guitar riff. Even in an intimate 900-capacity venue, their sound was crisp. It’s hard not to bop your head and dance along when the band before you is passionate about their craft and so clearly excited to be there.
Lead singer Bardo Martinez has a way of delivering lyrics, especially in songs like “Freedom is Free” and “Live Today,” that feels personal. And as any successful artist knows, what is personal is also universal. From any brief observance of their artistry, one can tell that Chicano Batman understands this well. Their messages of cultural pride and freedom are the most memorable.
Although Chicano Batman has been making music since 2008, I didn’t think I could get more excited for future projects of theirs. Every new track is a testament to the group’s camaraderie and sonic versatility.
