Malú had never felt so comfortable on stage as on the night of this Wednesday at the Galileo Galilei hall in Madrid. In the first live presentation of her latest album, QUINCE, on the Escenario Dial — a series of intimate concerts organized by Cadena Dial — the Madrid native did what she does best: sing with her heart. However, unlike the seven sold out nights at Las Ventas last March, the intimacy of the venue and the closeness with the audience made the show more than a concert; it became group therapy.
Read more Aina Clotet wins the Best Newcomer Award at the Critics’ Week in Cannes
From her entrance on stage, María Lucía Sánchez, Malú, wore her best smile. The complicity with Rubén García, the pianist who accompanied the seven songs they presented live, was palpable. Musicians, friends, and confidants, this is how Malú has defined their relationship. Hence, from the first song, Por si alguna vez, the harmony was evident. For the performer, with 28 years of career, the best way to present the songs of this night was with a piano sideways, “in the same way the songs were created,” she revealed.
In this comfort, the singer has explained that her fifteenth album, self-titled, is the “album of liberation.” The production released last May 15, she assured, helped her to shed masks and facades, to “make music without the complexes of how it should sound to be current, and make the album that my body asked for, that I felt and needed.” That is why, when facing the 400 attendees at tonight’s concert, the feeling Malú emanated was one of total enjoyment: “Before, I felt more fear and insecurity than pleasure. Now I enjoy the songs we make; it’s the first time in my life that I really don’t care and enjoy what I do.”
That phrase was felt when she performed Aquí, the fourth track of the album, and one of the most heartfelt songs of the night. In it, the singer talks about feeling at home, “like a fish in water” before the fans who worked hard to have the chance to witness this show. This format of free concerts requires Cadena Dial listeners to compete for a ticket. In this case, they had to say which Malú song “touched their soul” and leave it to luck. Most of those present sang along to the new songs that have been released less than a week ago.
Read more Olmedo López pleads guilty to participating in the UNGRD corruption scheme
Their participation was not limited to just getting a ticket to see the singer. Since it was a concert that “flowed with Malú’s desire to perform,” those present took part in questions from the singer to the audience, and the performer even received a very heartfelt compliment from a fan: “I connect a lot with your songs, when you explained about the masks, I loved it. To be happy and find ourselves, we have to take off those masks.”
As part of the therapy session, Malú went through “hitting rock bottom,” with Rota, a song that tells moments of tension, stress, and uncertainty, to crown the night with Primer Amor. A song that, she admitted, is dedicated to herself. The strength of her performance and her enthusiasm on stage made most of the attendees stand up from their seats to sing along. With that strength and the support of her people, she said goodbye with the promise to return to the stages on a new tour at the beginning of summer.
