Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The band name translates as "eye of the wizard", and the Barcelona collective certainly know how to put on a magical performance.
England isn't a place that dabbles in alternatives these days and it's hard to imagine the playful radicalism of Ojos de Brujo taking root over here.
But the Catalan troupe, who recorded their debut album Vengue in 1999, and won a BBC Radio 3 World Music Award in 2004 for their second, self-released album Bari, must be one of the few music collectives to have realised real international success without it tearing them apart.
They wear their showmanship like a comfortable and loose garment, and give the overwhelming impression that they're enjoying themselves as much as their audience – which includes a large and animated Spanish contingent.
Behind the 10 or so members ranged across the stage, among them the percussionist Xavi Turull, dancer Susi Medina, turntablist DJ Panko, guitarist Ramó* Giménez, and frontwoman extraordinaire Marina Abad, is a video screen flashing with a mixture of live band feeds cut with all manner of footage.
Much of the two-hour set concentrates on songs from their third album Techarí (which translates as free).
The sharp flamenco rhythms of "Baile Seguirilla" segues into "Respira", with drummer Sergio Ramos dominating proceedings – and sometimes clouding the nuances of the rhythms crowding at the side of the song.
The band then takes off into the ebullient "Color", with its strong Cuban feel.
The mood then abruptly changes with the anti-war blast of "Sultanas de Merkaillo", which blocks out some excellent slabs of techno keyboards to settle in with the evening's set list of rumbas, bulerias, Cuban, Indian and hip-hop rhythms.
Turrell excels on the Indian-flavoured "Todo Tiente", its mix of styles reflective of the mestizo rhythms rooted in Flamenco's heart.
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
When dancer Mari returns for "Tanguillos", guest rapper Faada Freddy of Daara J takes centre stage to deliver an extended "Get Up, Stand Up."
This call to arms is a standard these days, but tonight it's performed by a genuine collective who not only believe in what they're singing but enact it in how they go about their business.
The Ojos may not be compelling in the way really great musicians or singers are, but collectively, there's no other band like them.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments