There are few musicians and singers whose talent is just as impressive live as it is on record. Latin rock band Camila is better. Pairing impeccable talent with open emotion and raw heart, Camila’s first live performance in Playa del Carmen, MX left many audience members moved… even to tears. Perhaps, the musicians too. Whether it was the bright spotlights or, possibly, the spirit of the audience, fans close enough to front stage couldn’t mistake the watery glisten in Mario Domm’s eyes or the sparkle in Samuel (Samo) Parra’s.
The concert on Sunday, December 14th 2011, was part of Camila’s Tour Dejarte de Amar (Stop Loving You Tour). The live show attracted the likes of Mexican actor Mauricio Islas and the President of the Municipal Council of Quintana Roo, Filiberto Martínez Méndez. Vocalist, composer, producer and band founder Mario Domm was accompanied by his band members – vocalist Samuel Parra and guitarist Pablo Hurtado – along with three violinists and a basist.
Camila opened their performance with Mientes (Liar) from their second album for which the tour is named (Dejarte de Amar). After their opening act, Domm addressed the audience, professing it a blessing to be performing live in the heart of the Riviera Maya. He questioned fans about their belief in equality, faith and, ultimately, love. The audience responded with a resounding and unified “Yes!”
About midway through the concert, Samo spoke to fans, confessing the great feeling of loneliness he experienced while writing De Que Me Sirve La Vida (What Use Is Life For Me). Before Camila performed the song, Samo shared with the crowd: “We are not obligated to live in pain.”
Several minutes before the closing act, Domm spoke about his affinity for Playa del Carmen. Like many before him, Domm admits to a “three day vacation in Playa” ending in selling his home and his car in Mexico City enable to live beachside in the Mexican Caribbean. Domm continued, saying he eventually left Playa and returned to Mexico City simply because PDC, unfortunately, didn’t offer the resources necessary to follow what he felt was his life calling, his mission: to become a musician and share his art. Expressing gratitude for his current success founding a Platinum selling Latin rock band, Camila led into a series of songs written even before the existence of his band. Samo and Pablo joined Domm at his keyboard as he delivered one of Camila’s greatest successes Tocando Fondo (Hitting Bottom). Domm encouraged fans to raise their hands together during the performance of Yo Quiero (I Want).
Finally, during the performance of De Mi (From Me), a final message from Camila was broadcasted on large screens above stage: Basta. Libera tu interior tan solo vuela. (Enough. Simply let your inner being fly.)
Camila left ended the concert with one of its greatest successes Coleccionista de Canciones (Song Collector). A hearty encore from the audience earned fans one last performance of Mientes (Liar) before Camila bid farewell.
View our extensive gallery of images from Camila’s first-ever live performance in Playa del Carmen by clicking here.
