Definitely, A.K. has been on a blue streak these last few weeks.
Last week's show was my favorite in months, and last Monday, March 23, once more we experienced a memorable night.
Many new faces, as well as a multitude of antikaraokian stars stepped onstage at the Apolo during the show's more than three hours of duration.
Rachel began the evening with a classic that Brenda Lee often performed in the sixties: “The Letter”. She continued with The Doors' “Break On Through”, immediately followed by the parade of personalities that is Anti-Karaoke.
The big surprise of the evening was the return of the great Steve Esposito, consecrated star of Anti-Karaoke who lately we've seen little of in the show, but whose performances are always fucking brilliant.
During three short minutes, this man converted A.K. into a hardcore New York dive with a killer interpretation of “Freedumb” by Suicidal Tendencies.
Esposito did crowd surfing a couple of times during his performance, and left the stage with a big smile on his face, conscious that he had ruled.
I sincerely hope we see him again soon, busting his ass onstage at A.K.
Dani Metal, one of the newer stars of the show, also triumphed with one of the most "arena rock" moments of the night.
His performance of Queen's “I Want It All” drove the entire crowd wild. Brilliant.
Miriam Eynometoques, recently arrived from Asturias, rendered tribute to Jello Biafra with a great version of the classic Dead Kennedys's song, “Too Drunk To Fuck”.
A devastating performance by Chilo El Heavy, another of the new stars of Anti-Karaoke.
His “Sad But True” made the whole Apolo club shake. Grande, muy grande. As Vandenberg would say: Pedal to the Metal!!!
The bar was extraordinarily high the entire evening, but Rocko had no problem standing out above nearly all the performers and enjoyed the most massive ovation of the night.
It was truly thrilling to hear 400 people chorusing Queen's “Somebody To Love” together with Rock. Once more, another moment of pure “arena rock”.
And continuing with unforgettable performances, Barbarah laid her soul bare with ”The Show Must Go On” -- also by Queen -- that moved the crowd.
This woman definitely is a star.
In the first half of the show, Rachel sang the immortal Bon Scott anthem, “Whole Lotta Rosie”.
A guy from Parma, Italy named Pietro offered a passionate interpretation of “Rock and Roll All Night” by Kiss.
It's amazing to see the stage presence that Blimunda has developed since she first began to attend the show.
Recently, a colleague of mine came to A.K. for the first time in months and remarked that Blimunda's interpretation of “My Michelle” was the best performance of that evening. On this occasion, the chosen song was “Lit Up” by Buckcherry, and once again, it was incredible.
Grand return of Sarduster to A.K.
With his cock-rocker look and a desire to give it his all, Sarduster sang one of the great standards del show, “Born To Be Wild” by Steppenwolf.
Violant Guañabens was extraordinary with her precise homage to Janis Joplin.
Donning feathers in her hair just as Janis did, Violant sang “Piece Of My Heart” and left the entire audience speechless with her incredible voice.
The "Vegas" moment of the show, when Rachel sang “New York, New York”, was received with the usual enthusiasm by the audience.
Simis offered a bit of “kitschy” 80’s nostalgia with the main theme from the movie “Flashdance”.
It's always funny to see tough rockers in the audience singing along to poppy songs by Irene Cara or The Village People with the same passion they'd normally reserve for Metallica anthems. This is one of the things that makes this show great. The good vibes that clearly exist among audience members reflect a lack of stupid prejudices and musical ghettoes.
Obviously, there are limits. You will never hear songs by Robbie Williams or Hombre G in Anti-Karaoke, but Irena Cara, The Weather Girls or Abba, coexist without a problem with The Dead Kennedys, Motörhead or Pantera.
Danglam demonstrated once again that he is one of the great showmen of A.K.
Brilliant, this “Dancing With Myself” by Billy Idol, with the Stonian style typical of Danglam.
Vato and a buddy also stood out spectacularly that night with the most hyperactive “Basket Case” we've been able to hear in a long time.
This was one of the other energetic moments of the show.
Deirdre proved quite clearly that she is another one of the great performers in the show.
It had been a while since she'd laid down the law onstage at A.K., and it was a powerful return. On this occasion she sang “Chop Suey” by System Of A Down.
Iván also opted for the other most popular System Of A Down song, “Toxicity”. As is his habit, he spit full fury from the stage and made off with another of the great ovations of the evening.
Danny B sang the Otis Redding classic “Hard to Handle”, Black Crowes' version.
Nurrr reminded us that many, many years ago, Bon Jovi once were capable of recording decent songs.
It's always a pleasure to listen to “Livin’ On A Prayer” in the show.
Impeccable version of the Zeppelin anthem “Black Dog” by the talented Helena, another of the privileged voices of the show.
For the first time at the Apolo, the audience got to see the insufferable Shakira transform into the hateful Sinead O’Connor in front of their own eyes, and sing “Nothing Compares 2 U” with “fuck yous” that he have heard until today.
In the key moment of the number, Rachel, characterized as Sinead, ripped up photos of Papa Ratzinger, the Dalai Lama and… Woody Allen.
Private Rogers, a star of A.K. Madrid, debuted in Apolo with one of his classic choices, “Buddy Holly” by Weezer.
As characteristic in Anti-Karaoke as Danglam's Jaggerian dances or Fabri's exposed underwear of are the pogos of El Idolo de Argentina.
This time, he made 400 people sing “Hey! Ho! Let’s go” during the definitive punk rock hymn, “Blitzkrieg Bop”.
Other songs we listened to this evening: “Hell Bent For Leather” by Judas Priest (fantastic job by El Pirata del Caribe and Mr. Eddie Harris!),
“Somebody Told Me” by The Killers (Gerard),
“Thunderstruck” by AC/DC (Uri Barambamburi),
“Twist & Shout” by The Beatles (Elena, Danny & Tati), “More Than A Feeling” by Boston (Prades), “Time Warp” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Pin y Pon),
and “Eye Of The Tiger” by Survivor (Geo).
The home stretch of the show was very exciting, when Rachel sang Motörhead's “Ace Of Spades” covered in feminine napkins.
Shortly afterward Lord Vader reigned with a tremendously festive “Highway To Hell”, chorused by the entire audience.
Finally, to wrap it up: Fabri and Iván in charge of another devastating “Killing In The Name” by R.A.T.M., and the club filled to capacity.
“Kids In America” finished off another one of those evenings where no one leaves indifferent.
