Spam Allstars Didn't Skip a Beat During Anniversary Show at ZeyZey

Last Friday night, the crowd gathered at ZeyZey vibed to the mix of nostalgia and fresh energy as the Spam Allstars took the stage to celebrate their 30th-year milestone. The band, known for their Afro-Cuban, funk, and electronic influences, is also credited as the creator of the new Miami Sound, infusing electronic descarga synths into the sound, blending the music style that originated in 1950s Havana in the 1950s and electronic beats with that of improvised jam sessions.

The crowd moved in unison to layers of brass, percussion, and flute undertones. The sounds filled the venue with a more relaxing atmosphere than is usually associated with live sets. ZeyZey provided a very collective environment where people were dancing, chatting, and holding hands, the songs serving as a backdrop for engaging with people from all different age groups, cultures, and different walks of life. At the same time, the whole audience felt as if they were part of a big family, bound together by Spam Allstars' pleasant, familiarly eclectic tunes.

The setlist combined the past and present, pulling from their earlier work to more recent releases. Songs such as "Ochimini" from Contra Los Robóticos Mutantes include a drum-heavy bass riff — ochimini means "praise" or "believe me" in Swahili. "Gallo Pinto" is another tune that contains more flute and trombone undercurrents. Halfway through the night, the energy began to transform, with the more electronic rhythms starting to move to the forefront.
Soon, the crowd began to fall into a trance. People's heads started to nod, their hips swinging as "La Vida Continua" rang out. People clapped as soon as the song's opening chords played. "Pase lo que pase, la vida continua!" the audience chanted along. It was the moment everyone had been waiting for; the song's message that whatever happens, life goes on is important, especially nowadays, when life and society can seem especially heavy. Everyone raised their hands high, swaying them back and forth to the hypnotic electronic rhythm. The lyrics could also be a nod toward Miami, a reference to how the city continues evolving and celebrating all musical styles, cultures, and sounds.

As the final notes resonated, people patiently waited to see what the band's last move would be. They were not ready for the night to end, demanding an encore. The band gave in to the crowd's wishes, and Spam Allstars closed out with a percussion-heavy jam that left everyone elated.

The band's catalogue is full of earworms like "La Vida Continua." It stays in the mind for a while, an imprint, a representation of the lasting impression this band has on so many folks. While it's difficult for a band to stay relevant for three decades, the Spam Allstars continue to innovate while staying true to their roots.