Natalia Lafourcade transforms Dolby Theatre into a haven for heartfelt songs

Dressed in white and wearing low-heeled red shoes, Natalia Lafourcade performed at the Dolby Theatre, the venue that hosts the Academy Awards.

She gestured toward the seating area on the left as she shared with the audience the moment the film “Coco” was nominated in 2017. The Veracruz native had collaborated with Miguel on the movie's soundtrack song, “Remember Me (Recuérdame).”

"That’s where I sat," the singer said, pointing, as if sharing with friends an intimate evening. Which is exactly what her performance was: an intimate encounter with Lafourcade's voice and words. 

Lafourcade—singer and artist—has transformed her musical repertoire for her new "Cancionera" tour into a minimalist, intimate and simple performance. Yet, its simplicity does not diminish its grandeur; stripped of heavy accompaniment, Natalia’s voice can be heard resonating powerfully and majestically throughout the Dolby Theatre.

Lafourcade’s career progression—from pop star to a representative of protest music and the nueva trova movement in Mexico—is no accident. Given her upbringing in a home filled with music, it was only a matter of time before she came into her own and carved out a unique space within the Mexican musical landscape.

Lafourcade has become the voice of a generation that refuses to accept social injustice and strives to live in a better world.

Before "Hasta la Raíz" came "Derecho de Nacimiento." Both songs have become anthems of resistance against oppression and corrupt political systems. On this tour, accompanied only by a piano or guitar, the power of the lyrics carries even greater weight.

Her musical guest was Rodrigo Amarante, with whom she performed a cover of Agustín Lara's "Azul." Amarante also performed a song of his own. 

During her performance, she dedicated a song to Venezuela, where two recent earthquakes had claimed the lives of more than 1,500 people.

She is not merely a singer but also a storyteller; before each song, she wove an invisible thread connecting the audience, uniting everyone through music and the world she invites us to visit—as if offering a glimpse into her mind, if only for a brief moment. To have a mezcal and dance a song or two.