Pop Music Review : Violent Incident Doesn’t Completely Mar ‘Fiesta’

It was supposed to be the ultimate Cinco de Mayo celebration, but the isolated violence at Sunday’s “L.A. Fiesta Broadway” not only raised questions about the future of the nation’s largest Cinco de Mayo gathering but dampened an otherwise landmark triple header of Latin pop.

Although most of the hundreds of thousands at the “Fiesta” in Downtown Los Angeles may not have even seen the incident, the first outburst in the event’s five-year history occurred around 3:30 p.m. Alleged gang members confronted police with rocks and bottles in front of the Power 106 FM stage after a performance scheduled to run until 6 p.m. was canceled due to a crowd pushing against security platforms.

The future of the “Fiesta” could likely hinge on what happened in front of the Power 106 stage, overlooking the fact that performances continued for another two hours without incidents on the other eight stages. The day’s combination of eclectic music and mostly good vibrations made the event a Southern California tradition worth saving.

Just like last year, salsa was the afternoon’s most enjoyable sound.

Both of the main “Fiesta” headliners, salseros Marc Anthony from New York and Colombia’s Grupo Niche, turned in strong performances before large crowds on separate stages.

After making his debut last year singing to backing tracks, Marc Anthony finally brought his own band and confirmed his status as one of the most promising figures in Latin pop for the ‘90s.

Despite impressive record sales and critical acclaim, the New York-born Puerto Rican singer was limited to just three numbers--the same limit placed on Niche.

This uneven musical criteria--some less worthy acts are given greater exposure--is what makes “L.A. Fiesta Broadway” a social and commercial affair rather than a truly artistic-oriented event.

The “Fiesta” was one of three Los Angeles events on Sunday that together represented the largest showcase of Latin pop ever staged in the United States. The others: the banda and nortena “Primero de Mayo” festival on the grounds of the Sports Arena and another Cinco de Mayo fiesta at Whittier Narrows in South El Monte.

The Sports Arena program, organized by top-rated radio station KLAX (97.9 FM) and Fonovisa Records, was a near-perfect venture that almost duplicated last year’s similar triumph.

Los Tigres del Norte and Los Tiranos del Norte--the masters and the new blood of nortena music, respectively--headlined a list of 19 bandas and grupos before an estimated crowd of more than 100,000, most of which was composed of teen-agers and young adults, as opposed to the more family-oriented “L.A. Fiesta Broadway.”

The spectacle of several quebradita fan clubs, each with their own dance style and dress code, was a feast for the eyes and a perfect companion for a well-organized event that is becoming arguably the most attractive music and social concert in Los Angeles . . . whether or not you are into this style of music.

KLVE’s Cinco de Mayo event at Whittier Narrows, the underdog for Sunday’s triple-header celebration, drew an impressive crowd of 50,000 despite the last-minute cancellation of its main headliner, Venezuela’s Jose Luis Rodriguez “El Puma.”