Mexican composer María Leonora is redefining the concert experience through her immersive performances, which she describes as a journey of renewal. Her upcoming series, titled “Through All the Fire,” is set to showcase in 2025 and aims to connect audiences with profound themes of transformation and rebirth.
Rituals of Fire and Music
Each concert is meticulously crafted, resembling a ritualistic endeavor rather than a mere performance. Prior to her shows, Leonora prepares herself as if for battle, donning tribal-inspired makeup and layered clothing that she gradually sheds throughout the night. An amulet rests over her belly button, symbolizing protection as she states, “I look into the mirror and I sort of go to war. I brace myself to walk through the fire and whatever happens happens.”
The concept of fire is central to her performances. Leonora believes that both music and flames possess a transformative quality. “A fire can burn and destroy,” she explains. “But if you make it through, you can be reborn.” This idea resonates throughout her concerts, which draw inspiration from the ancient Mesoamerican ritual of the temazcal. These steam baths, integral to pre-Hispanic culture, represented a physical and spiritual cleansing, often likened to a passage between worlds.
According to archaeologist Agustín Ortiz, the temazcal served as a metaphorical entrance to the “beyond,” facilitating a deep connection to the earth and community. Such rituals have been practiced for centuries and continue to hold significance today in various forms across Mesoamerica, including in historic sites like Chichén Itzá and Palenque.
A Personal Journey Through Music
Leonora’s affinity for music began at the age of 16 when she discovered its healing properties during a challenging period of her life. Embracing punk rock, she learned to play the drums and stepped onto the stage for the first time. “I was able to transform so many things just by playing and standing in front of an audience,” she reflects. “I can honestly say it saved my life.”
In her series, “Through All the Fire,” she seeks to guide her audience from darkness into a renewed sense of purpose. “Music is a powerful tool that can connect you to Earth, to life, to the universe and to other people,” she states. Leonora’s shows are characterized as “immersive concerts,” where sound, lights, and visuals combine to create an enveloping atmosphere that invites audience participation.
Producer Diego Cristian Saldaña emphasizes the goal of making the audience feel deeply engaged with each performance. “We want the audience to feel enveloped in the experience of each song,” he notes, highlighting the emotional sensations that the music evokes.
Audience feedback reinforces the impact of these concerts. A young man featured in a promotional video by Mexico City’s Ministry of Culture described attending Leonora’s performances multiple times, each leaving him with a gratifying experience. Another attendee mentioned feeling exhausted before the show but left invigorated and eager to embrace life.
The concert begins with Leonora inviting the audience to cross a “salt circle,” symbolizing a departure from the outside world. The atmosphere remains warm and inviting as she starts with songs about love, transitioning to themes of heartbreak. “As my character is exhausted, to the ground, it starts to breathe again,” she explains, describing the climax of her performance. This pivotal moment echoes the experience of the temazcal, where participants confront and release their burdens.
Leonora encourages her audience to express themselves freely, whether through howling, screaming, or any other form of ritual they feel compelled to undertake. “Our last song is like a first ray of light,” she shares, inviting attendees to reflect on their journeys as they move forward into a brighter future.
As Leonora prepares for her upcoming series, the transformative power of music remains at the heart of her artistry, promising an experience that transcends traditional concert expectations and fosters a profound connection among all participants.
