At seven at night, the Plinth He already looked full and eager to dance “Noa Noa”. Thousands of people had arrived hours before to witness a strange and, at the same time, deeply Mexican phenomenon: seeing Juan Gabriel returns to the Palace of Fine Artsbut now from three giant screens placed in front of the Cathedral and the flagpole. A projection, yes, but with the soul of a concert.
Photo: Hugo Salvador/EL UNIVERSAL.
As the afternoon fell, the trailer of “Juan Gabriel: I must, I want and I can”the new series of Netflixappeared again and again on the screens. Between each repetition, the public turned the square into a dance floor to the rhythm of the “Divo” covers, those who once took up Rococo Pantheon either Dread Mar I.
Photo: Hugo Salvador/EL UNIVERSAL.
Before the event, street vendors set up improvised stands with posters, mugs and t-shirts with the composer’s face, while attendees bought souvenirs of an artist who, even in physical absence, has never completely gone away.
Read also: “La Venenito” remembers Juan Gabriel and his musical legacy
That echo of Juan Gabriel who broke ground in 1990, when he was the first popular singer to set foot Fine arts next to the National Symphony Orchestrawas about to be repeated now, before a Crowded socket.
Photo: Hugo Salvador/EL UNIVERSAL.
At 8:10, thirty seconds were enough to get the entire board excited. People screamed as if the famous man was walking towards them from the stage. When he appeared on the screen, wrapped in his bright white suit, thousands of cell phones were raised to record the moment.
Applause erupts when the symphonic arrangements of the original 1990 concert appear projected on a giant screen. Photo: Hugo Salvador/EL UNIVERSAL.
“When you leave, what stays is what you saw,” the artist was heard saying as the documentary images marked the start of the show. The audience settled in to record, interrupted by applause when the camera showed the conductor and the symphonic arrangements of that historic night in ’90.
Read also: Juan Gabriel and his power to gather masses and feelings in the Zócalo: Madero plays his classics and cheers break out in the square
A young man made a video call to his grandmother, turning the camera to show her the size of the event: “Look, grandma, it’s the Fine Arts one. I’m in the Zócalo… you taught me their songs,” he told her.
The first song was “I was not born to love,” but a few seconds later the audio failed. The audience reacted with screams, snorts and: “Fuck Netflix!” But a moment was enough for the voice of the one born in Michoacan rumbled again. And then yes, the Plinth He sang in full, from beginning to end, that hymn to melancholy.
Followers dress up as Juan Gabriel with bright suits. Photo: Hugo Salvador/EL UNIVERSAL.
When he finished, the square exploded with applause as if the artist were there, breathing with them. Then came “I already know that you are leaving,” and Juan Gabriel left a space for people to complete the verses. He Plinth The whole thing became a public karaoke. In the crowd, a young man cried while recording the moment.
Read also: Double tribute to Juan Gabriel in CDMX: location and details of the exclusive Pop Up Shop
Carlos, 49 years old: A fan “since he was a child”, due to family tradition, Carlos attended the event with his family. “This concert at the time was controversial due to the political context, but Juan Gabriel achieved it. Nobody believed that such a popular artist could perform in Fine Arts. For me this is very special because I was never able to see it in life. His music reminds me of my parents… and he made the country shine,” he told El Universal.
Fans share their liking for Juan Gabriel. Photo: Marlem Suárez/EL UNIVERSAL.
Blanca, 62 years old: Blanca also attended an event accompanied by her family that any fan of Juan Gabriel cannot miss: “He was a great composer, and will continue to be so for new generations. Many songs remind me of my mother, others of old loves. These types of events are important because not all of us can afford a concert or an auditorium. Bringing him to the Zócalo is bringing him to everyone. Juan Gabriel is part of our culture,” she expressed in an interview.
Devotees of Juan Gabriel share their memories with their music. Photo: Marlém Suárez/EL UNIVERSAL.
Read also: Juan Gabriel in the Zócalo: guide to enjoy the special screening of his concert at Bellas Artes
