Four bands and a dancing consensus of people came together under the same moon Dec. 5 for Bajo el Mismo Sol, a benefit concert organized by Los Angeles-based promoter Tidal Tracks. The show at The Paramount in Downtown L.A. aimed to raise money for CHIRLA, or L.A.’s Coalition for Humane Immigrants Rights, a nonprofit dedicated to encouraging and implementing “a just society fully inclusive of immigrant rights.”
“In light of everything going on politically, not only in L.A. but in the country in general, we had this idea to throw a benefit show supporting our immigrant community,” said Valeria Gonzalez, a founding member of Tidal Tracks, in an interview with the Daily Trojan.
The show comes eight months after the group’s first charity show in April earlier this year, which raised money for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Tidal Tracks aims to serve its audience rather than solely entertain it, opting for causes close to its mission statement of uplifting marginalized voices within the greater L.A. community.
“We are trying to show up for the Los Angeles community, and that’s where we are, that’s who we’re trying to market to,” said Elena Ballesteros, another original member of Tidal Tracks, in an interview with the Daily Trojan. “We like doing benefit shows because it also shows we are doing what we know how to do in helpful ways for our community. I think that approach has been working, and we’ll stick with it.”
With a slate featuring four Latine L.A.-based bands and tables of merch for each to boot, the Paramount was filled with Angelinos ready to bask in a safe space not only honoring those affected by the recent raids from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that targeted Latine immigrants — documented and undocumented alike — but championing the rights of immigrants across California.
Beyond cultural and geographical identity, each group was connected with pepperings of “Fuck ICE” and “Viva la raza,” with Mexican flags covering the venue.
“I think the intersection of art and culture, and especially now, music coming into philanthropy is super important,” said Luis Tadeo, the Director of Marketing & Public Relations for CHIRLA. “We, as a [nonprofit] organization, are so used to doing private galas and dinners. And to be at the heart of L.A., where many of our community is from, doing a show with people who look just like me, who are maybe going through what I’m going through, means a lot.”
Bajo el Mismo Sol kicked off with Los Frills, a Santa Monica-based band for fans of Backstreet Lovers and The Growlers. Their warm tone reflected the growing crowd of friends, families and concert lovers, setting the theme for a night of togetherness and good ol’ fashioned indie rock.
“The community is great,” said Izaak Salinas, brother of Los Frills’ drummer, Izaiah Salinas. “I mean, I know some of these people that have been coming to shows a lot, so it’s good to see them all.”
The next band’s reputation preceded them — or rather, their name did, as a pixelated animation of a spinning rat lit up the backdrop of the stage before Los Ratónes Atomicos started their set.
Offering up a quick “Fuck Trump” before diving in, the group brought cultural pride to the stage with a modern, Los Angeles twist that defined the night. Bree and Marcelo, attendees who heard about Bajo el Mismo Sol after attending a benefit for CHIRLA, decided to check out the other bands as fans of the headliners, Ear Ringers, but stayed for the cultural celebration of immigrants.
“Especially what [CHIRLA and Tidal Tracks are] raising money for, especially with what’s going on, especially with immigration — at the end of the day, I think people need to realize that [immigrants] aren’t harmful people,” Bree said. “These are people that contribute to the community, and they make America what America is.”
The Santa Ana band’s sound transforms the rhythm of a tradition like salsa into memorable basslines and the presence of trumpets in Latin music into the language of guitar riffs; that sonic storytelling translates well into their melodies and chord progressions, leading the night into a more moody — yet still energetic — direction.
Tough Front of the San Fernando Valley picked up Los Ratónes Atomicos’ rock thread but with more of a grunge angle, opening with their debut single, “Pools of Water.” Andrea Lopez, the group’s frontwoman, spearheaded their well-timed, tight instrumentation with killer guitar work, while the rest of the band balanced out her softer musicality with a punk tang.
For fans of Japanese Breakfast with a touch of Grouplove, Tough Front brings a sense of restraint to their sound that lets the music breathe: With songs like “Butterfly Effect” and the band’s take on The Strokes’ “Someday,” their voice reframes melancholy with colorful body and clean silhouettes. Their energy was contagious, the set ending with the drummer having the crowd spell out the band’s name with their bodies à la “HOT TO GO!”
By the time the East L.A.-based Ear Ringers hit the stage, the audience was crackling with static between bodies and joy between community members. With five instruments on stage and a deafening crowd, it was the loudest the night had been thus far, with the most voices ringing out on and off the stage yet.
Hit after hit sparked a mosh pit among the audience, including 2024’s “Friendzone” and their latest single “Tell me.” However, the energy that permeated the set until its explosive end didn’t stop frontman Miguel Estrada from drawing attention to the purpose of the show, remarking on how it warmed his heart to see everyone come together, especially as a child of immigrants.
“I’m a strong believer that any social justice movement needs to have art and culture move before we can move any political or policy change,” Tadeo said. “And so the fact that shows like this are being put together, and bands are coming in, donating their time, in some instances, to bring the community together: In this case, fundraising is super powerful, and something we need to see across the city, across L.A., across California and across the country.”
All of the images are taken by me, don’t steal! – Anna