Among the many cultural similarities between Spain, Colombia, and Mexico, artists Silvia Pérez Cruz, La Muchacha, and Y La Madrigal show the healing power of song for Bajo la Luna at The Ford on Sunday, Aug. 31. While the three artists are more than deserving of their own dedicated shows, the concert brings them together through their shared respect for how songs from across Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula can heal and change across generations. Tickets currently start at $35.

Three powerful singer-songwriters

Silvia Pérez Cruz is the sort of artist who keeps getting better with time. Earning a reputation as a singer and composer, the two-time Goya award winner – the Spanish equivalent to an Oscar – quickly gained a reputation for bending genre and holding storytelling to high regard, which falls in line with Bajo de Luna and its goals. Naturally, the awards kept coming, with her earning the Premio Nacional de la Músicas Actuales, which is the Spanish government’s prize for contemporary music.

Making her LA debut is La Muchacha, who has been making waves in her native Colombia since becoming a leading figure in protest music. Whether it’s introspective songs on female identity, lyrics that shed light on Colombia’s recent history of armed conflict, or touching on the social and political issues plaguing her country, she has used her voice to bring about change and, at the very least, inspire listeners to look inward.

You probably know Y La Madrigal through its architect Luz Elena Mendoza’s main project, Y La Bamba. As Y La Bamba, Mendoza has occupied a space within the indie world that brings Latine culture to the forefront, having released six albums to date. With Y La Madrigal, she’s taking her music to the next level, reimagining her catalog and giving each song a sense of grandeur with a choir made up of special guests.

Defining Bajo La Luna

Although the singers at the center of The Ford show come from different cultures, having experienced varying career trajectories with lots of success, Bajo la Luna has greater goals in its sights. What the three share is their continued excellence as contemporary singer-songwriters who consistently take inspiration from the past and repurpose it for the modern day.

Not only do they make music for a living, but their art is a reflection of how storytelling can help improve the world via collective healing and a shared reverence for everyone’s respective cultures. All of that, combined with the fact that the three are female Hispanic singers who are respected figures in their music corners and have paved their own careers, proves how special and carefully thought-out this show will be.

Uniting the LA creative community

To put together a special show like Bajo la Luna, several organizations with similar intentions came together, all of which have roots or connections to LA. El Marchante, an online record shop based in Caracas, Venezuela, and LA, is the co-producer of the event. While many stores in LA and beyond are home to hidden gems from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain, El Marchante goes above and beyond by specializing in music from the Spanish-speaking world.

The show also happens to be part of this year’s cohort for the FordLab Producers Program, which supports independent artists and people of interest in LA’s creative community. For three decades, The Ford has been aiding independent and like-minded artists to take to the amphitheater stage, spotlighting the diverse and sprawling landscape of LA music.

As for co-producer Tumba La Casa, they are a new group that helped organize the event and solidify what it means to LA as a multicultural city and what it means for the performers. They worked closely alongside El Marchante, which is proof that you’re in good hands with Bajo la Luna.

Preparing for The Ford

The Ford is one of those venues where any seat is a good seat. With that being said, it’s best you get a head start on your route to the historic amphitheater.

Gates open at 6:00 PM for Bajo la Luna, which is a great time to arrive if you’re looking to settle down and ease into the evening before the show starts at 7:30 PM. In case you expect some delays, 6:30 PM is also a fine time to arrive.

As for travel routes, you’re not limited to enduring the Hollywood Hills traffic. Alternatives are provided by The Ford, ranging from shuttles to varying parking options. For every option, be sure to check out their website for a complete list.

Once you’ve arrived and settled into your seats, you can be relieved to know that outside food and drinks are allowed. Whether you plan on sharing wine or eating dinner, there are lots of ways you can make the evening better for you and anyone else you’re coming with, so long as it’s within The Ford’s rules. Furthermore, you can also picnic at The Ford, an experience unique to the venue that you can’t get anywhere else in LA. For their list of rules and food options, see their dedicated page.

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There’s a lot to look forward to at The Ford outside of Bajo la Luna, including other special concerts tailor-made for LA’s diverse tastes. In the same FordLab series, Joe Bataan and Quetzal unite for an evening dedicated to romantic Latin music on Saturday, Oct. 25. Ahead of Bajo la Luna, Béla Fleck and the Flecktones take the stage on Monday, Aug. 25.