After many months of preparations, skeptic individuals and security concerns, Vive Latino 2010 was a complete success. The annual festival celebrated at Mexico City's Foro Sol welcomed the presence of over 90 bands distributed across its four stages. The event greeted tens of thousands of fans hoping to experience the diverse lineup, as well as the usual surprise performances by unannounced bands. This year, there were plenty of surprises, including an announced set by Hello Seahorse!, as well as multiple guest appearances by two members of Café Tacvba and Babasonico's lead vocalist Adrian Dargelos.
Vive Latino's main stage this year was called Escenario Verde, by far, the stage with the most crowd and media attention. On Saturday, Mexican band Los Acapulco inaugurated the festival at bombastic energy, which never lost its force the entire day. It was followed by Los Angeles-based band Ozomatli, who are not very well known by Vive's audience despite being recognized as a key Latin rock band internationally. Electropop sensation Sussie 4, the incredibly sexy Ely Guerra and Mexican rockers Cuca and Victimas del Dr. Cerebro continued to rock the overwhelming stage. Even American bands Deftones and Rise Against were received with broad ovations.
Escenario Azul was filled with the new faces of Latin Alternative, the most youthful of the stages, which welcomed acts such as Banda de Turistas, Chetes and Quiero Club. Deftone's leader Chino Moreno even joined Mexican instrumental band Austin TV with a special vocal collaboration in their hit 'Marduck.' Other performers like Chilean chanteuse Francisca Valenzuela, Le Butcheretes and Calexico appeared to attract even more fans than the main stage. Despite a great day, everyone knew the best was to come on Sunday.
The final day of the festival welcomed many legends to its main stage, and introduced a big number of up and coming bands on its other three stages. Escenario Azul, the 'youthful' stage welcomed acts like Kumbia Queers, Vicente Gayo and Furland, reaching its peak with internationally recognized instrumental duo Rodrigo y Gabriela, who highlighted the fact that they rarely play in their native Mexico. Over at Escenario Rojo, Colombia's legendary band Aterciopelados brought their socially conscious songs with lead vocalist Andrea Echeverri asking fans to take better care of our planet.
The main stage provided the large crowds with two of the festival's most anticipated moments. First, the reunion of Ska legends Tijuana No!, considered idols back in the 90s. It was especially memorable to see Ceci Bastida back with her band, and even Julieta Venegas who was at once also part Tijuana No!, triumphed on stage. And finally, the performance everyone was waiting for, the return of Calle 13 to Vive Latino. After a disastrous and quite violent 2007 performance, the Puerto Rican duo earned the most largest reception of the entire festival. Calle 13 healed its scars and owned the stage with songs like 'No Hay Nadie Como Tu' and 'Pal Norte,' along with critiques to Latin America's Presidents and asking for a Puerto Rico's freedom from the U.S.
