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Cordoba, Argentina.  Last Friday, May 17, folks in Cordoba enjoyed a never-before-event, the first concert-ever by Fermin Muguruza and joining him was the local group Baietz.

[The Basque group from Cordoba Baietz who is working on its second album, accompanied Muguruza on stage last Friday May 17 (photoEE)]

“Muguruza’s production company got in touch with Baietz via Facebook and by extension with the Gerora basque Association of Cordoba, because they wanted to have a band that spoke Basque or at least had a Basque connection.  They were surprised to find a band that filled both criteria.  Upon receipt of the invitation that was extended to the general Diaspora, since not only were the local dantzaris present, but also those from Rosario, Rio Cuarto and Villa Maria,” members of Baietz explained to EuskalKultura.com.

Accompanied by the Banda Kontrakantxa --Mike Txopeitia (drums), Fino (saxophone), Jontron (trombone), Lonbi (trumpet), Zigor DZ (DJ), Oskar Benas (guitar), Xabi Solano (accordion) and Victor Navarrete (bass)--, Muguruza  covered an extensive repertoire that included songs from different times.  The most folkloric touch was provided by Baietz.

[Baietz and members of Gerora with Fermin Muguruza (photo EE)]

“Our contribution was playing a set from our second album “Argizagi ederra” as well as some other songs from our first album like Iturengo Arotza and Mahai Gainekoa.  Later we joined the dancers with Lantzeko Inauteria and a Jota/Porrusalda.  The idea was to share the Basque-Argentinean identity with all of Cordoba and I think we succeeded.  We could see many in the audience wearing the red neckerchief from Gerora and that was also very exciting,” the Argentinean musicians added.

The concert was part of the “Fiestas Gitanas” organized by Sala Astral and besides music the audience was also provided various circus acts.

In Buenos Aires at the Vorterix

In Buenos Aires, the concert took place on the 16 at the Vorterix Theater.  A large audience gathered with a large number of those with an ikurriña in their hand.  Before starting, pamphlets were passed out inviting those in attendance to a demonstration in favor of Basque prisoners that was to take place the next Saturday at the Plaza Dorrego.

[The city of Buenos Aires is a frequent stop for Muguruza’s tours.  He performed there last December presenting his documentary Zuloak.  This time he came with Kontrakantxa to play at the Vorterix (photo John P. Boomer Iacoangelo)]

Throughout the concert, that lasted nearly two hours, the Basque rocker played a large part of his repertoire.  He played songs from studio albums, as a soloist, and also some from the legendary band Kortatu.  He closed with the song, Sarri Sarri. Nevertheless not everything was reggae, dub and ska.  Traditional Basque music was also provided by trikitilari Xabier Solano who had the fans dancing to the popular music from Euskal Herria.

[Hundreds of Muguruza fans were at the theater on Lacroce Street: Basques born in the Basque country, club members, and of course the general public.  Ikurriñas and flags for the prisoners were flying above and below the stage and Muguruza himself called attendees to participate in the demonstration in favor of the prisoners that took place on Saturday in the San Telmo neighborhood  (photo John P. Boomer Iacoangelo)]

During the concert special guests also performed: hip hop singer Malena D’Alesio and the group Todopoderoso Popular Marcial.  There were a large numbers of Basques in the audience who were in Buenos Aires for work or study, as well as members of Basque clubs like Euskaltzaleak and Denak bat from Mar del Plata as well as various Uruguayan clubs.

After the concert, the party continued outside when the group Todopoderoso Popular Marcial grabbed their instruments to continue playing.  Musicians and the public blocked the street in order to dance.

-See  http://www.muguruzafm.com
-https://twitter.com/muguruzafm
-http://www.myspace.com/ferminmuguruza
-http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fermin-Muguruza/62222231248
-http://eu.musikazblai.com/fermin-muguruza