WMI Concerts

LA’s Very Be Careful may be rootsy Colombian vallenato with accordion, bass and percussion, but the music is raw and groove-oriented. The material is mostly their own, and their attitude owes more to punk than anything else. The result is trance-like, hypnotic cumbias from a place no one seems to have ever gone to. The group is lead by accordionist Ricardo and his bass playing brother Arturo Guzman who are backed by Richard Panta on caja vallenata, Craig Martín on guacharaca, and Dante Ruiz on bell. They have become a huge party favorite among Cumbia aficionados and hipster revelers in both in their hometown of LA and in New York, where their 4th of July shows have become legendary. They have opened for Vampire Weekend (who are fans) played the Bestival and Glastonbury festivals in the UK, Fuji Rock and Asagiri in Japan, Summerstage and Grand performances in the US and their music is a favorite of Argentinean and Mexican DJ's.  Escape Room (Barbès), their new CD, goes farther than just capturing the insane energy of their live shows. It's a true modern monument to Vallenato which uses all the tools of genre’s pioneers without ever feeling anachronistic. These guys are not revivalists. Very be careful what you say.

Co-presented with Barbès Records

Tickets $12 in advance/$18 day of

Photo credit: Alexis