Chilean band ILLAPU returns to Australia for tour - 1st March 2013

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Chilean band ILLAPU returns to Australia for tour; Music telling stories of love, life, justice and social issues...

The promotion was accurate to a T - Listening to Illapu’s songs is like hearing the whisper of the wind from the Andes.

For those don't know, Illapu means "Lighting Bolt". There's no doubt that the group has facilitated a lighting bolt or two in their motherland over the years - especially of the political nature.

Today we had the pleasure to meet and interview Roberto Márquez Bugueño and Alejandro Vargas at the beautiful Sebel Hotel, Surry Hills, Sydney.

Alejandro kindly assisted with English translation, while Roberto was able to provide excellent insight as to what the group was all about, and what Australian audiences can expect on this tour.

Many fans (and soon fans to be) may be a touch surprised to learn that the group has been to Australia six times now. This can be explained by the beautiful sound of their voices, instruments and the positive energy that resonates. It doesn't appear to matter if an Australian audience member can understand Chilean or not - as it has been said through the ages of humanity - music is the universal language.

With the bands considerable 40 years plus experience, they are able to articulate through their music, the tales of those 40 years of love, life, justice and social issues - with a good amount of political content thrown in their for good measure.

1991 was a key year for Illapu where they feel that achieved considerable success on not only a spiritual level, but also of a commercial nature, where one of their songs 'Lejos del amor' would spend 46 weeks at number 1 in the charts.

It is very apparent that this group loves life and loves their music with deep passion, and is very much looking forward to sharing their gifts with Australians who love beautiful music.

Tickets are priced from just $89, with some concessions available, and this represents tremendous value and helps make the opportunity to experience world class performing artists more accessible than you would expect.

If you are already a fan - you know how great they are, and if your a newbie to the group, you can expect to have a wonderful time experiencing their musical and vocal genius in the flesh.

We thank them for once again visiting our shores and wish their continues success and happiness on their extraordinary journey.

ILLAPU RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA IN MARCH 2013 FOR THEIR SIXTH TOUR...

Headlining Womadelaide and performing in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane...

Listening to Illapu’s songs is like hearing the whisper of the wind from the Andes…as they create music with songs about love, life, justice and social issues.

ILLAPU was founded in 1971 by four brothers from Antofagasta in northern Chile. As freedom advocates they became well-known for their cultivated rendering of Andean folklore and Bolivian rhythms, a fusion that later developed into the Nueva Canción movement. ILLAPU produce folkloric, explorative music with songs about love, life, justice and current social issues. They have.

ILLAPU have played throughout Latin America, Europe, Australia, Asia, Carnegie Hall in New York, the Olympia Theatre in Paris and the Sydney Opera House. In March 2013 they return to Australia for their sixth tour headlining WOMADELAIDE with concerts on both the opening and closing nights. ILLAPU will visit Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane playing in Sydney for one night only on Friday 1 March Sydney’s Lyric Theatre.

In 1976 ILLAPU released what was to become a huge radio hit in both Argentina and Chile, and subsequently rose to fame for their guitar-based songs featuring strong vocals, pan flutes and enrapturing rhythms.

Exiled from their beloved Chile by the Pinochet Dictatorship, they lived in France and Mexico until their return in 1988 where they were cheered by throngs of fans, and performed to over 100,000 people. Since then, Illapu have continued to produce folkloric explorative music with songs about love, life and justice and have played all over the world from Latin America, Europe, Australia, Asia, New York to Paris.

“Their voices are wonderful without exception, with perfect harmony they give us words of love… these musicians give themselves to the music with endless happiness”… La Depeche

ILLAPU return to Australia for their sixth tour in March 2013 headlining Womadelaide and performing in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

TOUR DATES:
Sydney, Lyric Theatre Friday 1 March
Tickets: $89 (Concessions available)
Bookings: Ticketmaster

Melbourne, Dallas Brooks Hall Saturday 2 March
Tickets: $89 (Concessions available)
Bookings: Ticketek

Brisbane, Tivoli Theatre Thursday 7 March
Tickets: $89 (Concessions available)
Bookings: Ticketek

Womadelaide Friday 8 to Monday 11 March

Profile...

Illapu are a Chilean folk and andean musical ensemble that was formed in 1971 in Antofagasta, in northern Chile, by the brothers José Miguel, Jaime, Andrés and Roberto Márquez Bugueño. A later addition to the group was Osvaldo Torres. Illapu comes from the Quechua word meaning "Lightning Bolt". Their music was Andean folk. In 1981, because of the repression under the Pinochet regime, they were forced into exile - going first to France and later Mexico City. In 1988, due to the improved political climate, they returned to Chile. Their 1993 album (En Estos Días), which contained the hit single "Lejos del Amor", won 7 platinum records.

Profile (in Spanish)...

Illapu es un reconocido grupo chileno de música de raíz folclórica fundado en 1971 en la ciudad de Antofagasta, Región de Antofagasta.

El nombre Illapu viene del idioma quechua y significa «relámpago». En sus primeros discos el grupo se caracterizaba por el rescate de instrumentos, melodías y líricas relacionadas con la cultura andina.

Discography...

Música Andina (1972)
Chungará (1975)
Despedida del pueblo (1976)
Raza Brava (1977)
Canto vivo (1978)
Grito de la raza (1979)
Theatre de la Ville (1980)
El canto de Illapu (1981)
Y es nuestra (1983)
De libertad y amor (1984)
Para seguir viviendo (1986)
Divagaciones (1988)
En vivo: Parque La Bandera (1988)
Vuelvo amor... vuelvo vida (1991)
En estos días (1993)
De sueños y esperanzas (1994)
Sereno (1994 or 95)
Multitudes (1995)
Morena esperanza (1998)
Mementos vividos (2000)
Antología 1971-1982 (2001)
Illapu (2002)
Vivir es mucho mas (2006)

Press Release:

ILLAPU Australian Tour March 2013...

Listening to Illapu’s songs is like hearing the whisper of the wind from the Andes. The ensemble, founded in 1971 by four brothers from Antofagasta in northern Chile, became well-known for their cultivated rendering of Andean folklore and Bolivian rhythms, a fusion that later developed into the Nueva Canción movement.

In 1976 they released what was to become a huge radio hit in both Argentina and Chile, and they subsequently rose to fame for their guitar-based songs featuring strong vocals, pan flutes and enrapturing rhythms.

Exiled form their beloved Chile by the Pinochet dictatorship, they lived in France and Mexico till their return in 1988 where they were cheered by throngs of fans, and performed to over 100,000 people. Since then, Illapu have continued to produce folkloric explorative music with songs about love, life and justice.

“Their voices are wonderful without exception, with perfect harmony they give us words of love… these musicians give themselves to the music with endless happiness”… La Depeche

ILLAPU returns to Australia for their sixth tour in March 2013 headlining Womadelaide and performing in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

Websites

Illapu official website
www.illapu.cl

Illapu tour official website
www.illaputour.com

Womadelaide - WOMAD - The World's Festival - Illapu
www.womadelaide.com.au/program/illapu

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com

Sebel Hotel, Surry Hills, Sydney
www.mirvachotels.com/sebel-surry-hills-sydney