Austin City Limits Season 42 Episode 7 Natalia Lafourcade / Grupo Fantasma

In season 42 episode 7 of Austin City Limits, two of the most popular names in Latin American music take the stage for an electrifying performance. Natalia Lafourcade and Grupo Fantasma deliver a mix of traditional and contemporary sounds that showcase their individual styles and the richness of Latin American music.

First up is Natalia Lafourcade, the Grammy-winning Mexican singer-songwriter known for blending pop, folk, and traditional music. In this episode, she performs some of her most popular hits, including "Tú sí sabes quererme" and "Hasta la raíz." Lafourcade's voice is stunningly pure and emotive, and she effortlessly transitions between Spanish and English lyrics. She also shows off her guitar skills, leading the band through rhythmic strumming patterns and delicate fingerpicking.

Along with her own songs, Lafourcade throws in a few surprises. She covers the Mexican folk classic "La llorona" with haunting intensity, drawing on the song's themes of love, loss, and longing. She also performs a version of "I Will Survive" that infuses the disco classic with Latin percussion and a playful attitude. Throughout the set, Lafourcade radiates energy and joy, connecting with the audience through her music and her charming stage presence.

Next, Grupo Fantasma takes the stage with their unique blend of funk, cumbia, salsa, and rock. The Austin-based band has been a fixture on the Latin music scene for over a decade, earning critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase. In this episode, they showcase their versatility and virtuosity with a set that ranges from dance-floor anthems to introspective ballads.

The band's rhythm section is a force to be reckoned with, with multiple drummers, percussionists, and a bass player who lock in tight grooves. The horn section adds stabs of brass and woodwinds that punctuate the melodies and give the songs extra punch. The lead vocalists, Kino Esparza and José Galeano, have distinctive styles that complement each other, with Esparza's soulful crooning and Galeano's gritty rasp.

Highlights of Grupo Fantasma's set include "La conozco" and "Porque", two of their most popular songs that showcase their infectious energy and tight musicianship. They also perform "Road to Nowhere", a Talking Heads cover that they've made their own with a Latin-funk treatment and an uplifting message. The set culminates with "Cayuco", a seven-minute epic that builds from a slow-burning groove to a frenzied climax, featuring solos from each member of the band.

Throughout the episode, the Austin City Limits audience is enthusiastic and engaged, dancing and clapping along to the music. The show's production values are top-notch, with dynamic camera angles and expert audio mixing that capture the energy and nuance of the performances. This episode of Austin City Limits is a testament to the power of Latin American music and the talents of Natalia Lafourcade and Grupo Fantasma.