For the first time, Norma Monserrat Bustamante Laferte, better known as Mon Laferte, brought her distinctive Latina punk - adorned with the bright sounds of retro chicha guitars - to London last Friday.
Launching her sixth album “Norma” with a performance at EartH, the former Hackney Arts Centre, Mon was greeted by an ecstatic crowd, comprised almost all of Latinos.
London’s Chilean community came out in force to hear their compañera’s new album live for the first time. While the new found global success of the Chilean songstress, residing in Mexico for many years, may be a revelation to some, Chileans have known and loved this querky, bohemian diva for many years. She's even been dubbed 'the Chilean Amy Whinehouse'.
And yet even those believing the hype would not have been disappointed. Wearing a sexy black dress, Mon's combination of tender voice, edgy sound and electrifying presence, had the venue off their seats from the start.
The crowd danced throughout the whole performance, demonstrating an intense connection with the performer. A bunch of red roses was handed to her, a gesture of the crowd’s passion. They accompanied her in singing all the hits with love and tears, from “Amarrame” to “Tu Falta de Querer”, from “Si Tu Me Quisieras” to the last released “Porque me Fui a Enamorar de ti”.
The passion is well deserved, for the artist has a voice to die for, full of emtion, the stuff of goose bumps. So much was the fervour that it was practically impossible for Mon to leave the stage – the choir of “Otra! Otra!” was relentless.
Conclusion: If Mon Laferte didn’t leave her heart in London, London definitely left its heart on planet Mon Laferte on a November evening 2018. Once bitten by her fans in London, hopefully forever smitten and Mon will return to quench the Chilean craving here.
photo by Martin Muñoz
