Chilean band a hit in Brisbane

Chilean band a hit in Brisbane

By Lynda Hansen

@box text intro = BRISBANE — Chilean band Illapu transformed the staid Performing Arts Complex Concert Hall into a Chilean carnival on April 13.

The seven-piece ensemble left Chile, where they had played to 400,000 seat stadiums, in 1981 after being blacklisted. This was their first performance in Brisbane, although they are on their fourth visit to Australia.

The band, from the north of Chile, plays traditional instruments but have recently introduced bass guitar and synthesised drums to their original compositions, which tell of the struggles and strength of the people. During the encore the audience waved Chilean flags and shouted, "Viva Illapu! Viva Chile!".

Wallisuma (the name means "from the soul") opened the evening. They are traditional exponents of Andean music and warmed the audience with a distinct blend of Bolivian and Chilean folk music.

From GLW issue 271