La Vela puerca Closes Tour with Nostalgic, Energetic Performance in Uruguay
On Saturday, December 13, La Vela Puerca brought a nine-month, nine-country tour to a rousing close with a captivating performance on the Punta Carretas promenade in Uruguay. The band delivered a two-and-a-half-hour show brimming with guest appearances and a powerful emotional range, leaving thousands of fans with a night to remember.
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation even before the band took the stage. Following opening acts Flor Sakeo,Neamwave,and Mota,the audience remained standing,a palpable anxiety building as the stage was prepared. Those who initially sought a more tranquil vantage point found themselves compelled to join the energetic throng,as it became clear the night was not intended for the faint of heart.
“Nothing can explain the happiness we have today, happy 30 years,” exclaimed Sebastián “Enano” Teysera, the band’s frontman, addressing the crowd. He then posed a question to the audience, requesting a shared memory, a gesture that underscored the collective experience driving the evening’s celebration. The band acknowledged the pivotal role La Abuela Coca played in opening doors for them in Argentina,honoring the group by inviting them onstage to perform “burbujas” at 9:53 p.m.
Throughout the night, La Vela Puerca seamlessly blended tracks from across their discography, including albums like of Bugs and Flowers (2001), Backlit (2004), The Impulse (2007), and Normally Abnormal (2009), transporting fans back to their youth. While older favorites were met with keen responses, the band also showcased songs from their latest album, Discopathic (2022), with “Tormenta” and “La pastilla” eliciting a strong reaction from the crowd.
the performance was punctuated by a series of special guests. manuel Ferreiro, of Manolo and the Vespass, joined the band onstage, a testament to the encouragement he received from La Vela Puerca early in his career. Later, Flor Sakeo shared the stage for a rendition of “La sin raison,” a collaboration that highlighted the band’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent within the Uruguayan rock scene. Teysera reflected on this mentorship, suggesting it could be “the beginning of the end,” or simply a sign of confidence in the next generation of musicians.
A more intimate segment of the show featured Alejandro Balbis, accompanying the band on songs like “Para no verme más” and “Ves.” The energy surged again at 11:10 p.m. when the entire promenade joined in singing “I am following faithfully, faithful to the skin,” a lyric that has transcended its musical origins to become a personal motto for many fans.
The performance reached a fever pitch with the arrival of Chabela Ramírez, who joined El Enano for a vibrant candombe-infused performance. Teysera, sporting a shirt emblazoned with “The song to power,” led a countdown to the iconic shout of “Document!”, triggering a renewed wave of energy and the rallying cry “Vamos La Vela de mi corazón.”
As the main set drew to a close, the band paid tribute to Robe iniesta, the late frontman of Extremoduro, with a moving rendition of “Love, love, love and ensancha el alma.” Following a brief departure, the band returned to the stage, led by El Enano, for an intimate solo performance of “José Sabo.” He shared a vulnerable reflection on the journey, acknowledging the support of his friends and the band’s loyal fanbase.
The song concluded at midnight, bringing to a close a night that was both a celebration of the band’s 30-year legacy and a testament to the enduring power of music to connect generations. Thousands left with a sense of magic,reassured that they had a band that would continue to support their hearts.
