Ska night at Ontario with Panteón Rococó, Inspector and more

Luis Ibarra, lead singer from Panteón Rococó, aka Dr. Shenka, saluted his fans at the Toyota Arena in Ontario last Friday night.

“I would say, how are you doing Ontario!” he said in Spanish. ”But if we’re honest, I should say how are you doing Mexico!” The crowd exploded. 

Mexicans, Mexican Americans and other Latinos filled up the general admission area as well as the mid-section of the arena. As the Mexican ska and Latin fusion band made every spectator dance and chant. 

Before Panteón Rococó toured the U.S. and Europe, they were playing in the 300-capacity venue Alicia in Mexico City. That was the first time I saw them, and consequently a few times after that, until they got too big for that space. It was a special feeling seeing them play at an almost full arena in the city I’ve called home since I moved from Mexico City.

Seeing them and seeing the Monterrey ska band Inspector in one show reminded me of the massive ska concerts in Mexico that I attended in my youth, just a few years ago, when my knee didn’t prevent me from jumping in joy for the music. 

The ska scene in Mexico, which started growing since the mid 90s, combined with cumbia, punk, rock and other sounds to bring a new mix that added its own salsa and flavor. Panteón Rococó is one of the biggest exponents of the genre. 

The band Out of Control Army from Mexico City opened the show bright and early, even before the time listed on the tickets, so I was glad to hear some of their songs as I arrived early to the arena. After them, Hey Smith from Osaka, Japan played a mix of ska and pop punk with a little reggae thrown in. 

Then it was time for Inspector, who played some of their hits like “Y qué” “Amnesia” and their cover “Me estoy enamorando.”

Panteón Rococó ended the night with “La Carencia,” which is their biggest hit. With their horn section, the ska beat and the lyrics that sing about worker struggles in a globalized world, they sent everyone home with a reminder that Mexican ska is still alive and well.