REVIEW: Arca 2/25/23

Arca - The Belasco

Photo 1/3: Victoria Villanueva | Photo 2: Lorenzo Hinojosa

The endlessly adored experimental musician, Alejandra Ghersi Rodríguez, more commonly known as Arca, unexpectedly announced a one-off show in Los Angeles following an extensive festival tour in the fall of 2022. This announcement instantly sparked excitement among old and new fans alike. Leading up to the show, fans did not know what to expect of the elusive performer considering there hadn’t been a major release since the completion of the Kick series of albums ending with its fifth and final volume in December 2021.

Opening the show, Warpstr delivered an energetic and brief set while LA-based fans were eager to experience Arca for the first time since September 2022 at Primavera Sound LA. Arca walked out immediately opening with fan favorites, “Prada” and “Rakata.” The energy in the theater was purely electric due to the stage presence the Venezuelan artist has, having the ability to capture everyone’s attention combined with a glamorous ensemble and incredible stage visuals is something not every artist can do easily. To Arca, it seems second nature. With the beat drop of “Rakata” it’s clear that Arca’s experimental reggaeton sound has really resonated with fans and fellow artists, most famously inspiring albums like Motomami (Rosalia’s 2022 LP). Expanding on this motif she performs “El Alma Que Te Trajo,” the Safety Trance collaboration, and the rapid and intense “Incendio.” With Arca on the DJ Controller, this gave an opportunity for a true one-woman show cutting the backing track screaming “INCENDIO” with pure energy that was felt throughout the room.

Following this Arca confessed she had lost her voice due to the high energy of the first 4 songs with loud belts and screams, which led the show to take a more instrumental route full of ambient experimentation that is found on projects like Arca (self-titled). This experimentation featured Arca going back and forth between the controller, the piano, and even the electric guitar, showing the pure talent and versatility of the artist. While this may have disappointed newer fans of the Kick series it resulted in a unique display of what the soul of Arca sounds like. It was intimate and beautiful and was one of the most distinct concert experiences I have had in the last 10 years. Seeing her implement electronic beats with the chittering of morning birds expanded my own mind and view of what music and a concert can be.

Closing the show the energy was brought to the very top with an energetic performance of “KLK” featuring Rosalia. Not expecting what the song would be mixed with, we got an incredible bass drop with charming commentary from Arca, “Who wants the drop? … I am going to push the button… should I do it, should I press the button?” Following this, we heard the bright horns of “Upgrade U” by Beyoncé. A perfect high-energy closer for the show and a display of Arca’s DJ abilities. Babyxsosa closed the show with an after-party set for fans who were patient enough to wait after the show.

Arca is a one-in-a-lifetime musician and the February 25th show at the Belasco put all of her qualities and talents on full display. She has done an amazing job of not only being vulnerable with queer and trans subject matter but has cultivated an incredible community of queer and latiné listeners. Thanks to XL Recordings for giving us the opportunity to review this incredible show.

-Lorenzo Hinojosa aka dj.Digitizer