Taking place at the iconic Hard Rock Cafe, the internet's favorite Latin-indie-pop band, The Marías, delivered an unforgettable performance at their first-ever concert in Orlando. The show was part of their highly anticipated tour supporting their latest album, Submarine.

María Zardoya, the Puerto Rican indie-pop singer, has one of those soft yet rich voices that you might think would be drowned out by the lively instruments and upbeat tempos, but you’d be very wrong. It’s almost similar to when Billie Eilish was first introduced to the world; you might wonder, “How will this work live with her voice being so soft?” But as we know, she knocks it out of the park every time. Zardoya did the same.

Kicking off the hour-and-a-half set, I was immediately captivated by the opening song, “Hampton,” from their latest album, Submarine, which built the perfect amount of anticipation for an ever-so-excited crowd. A standout moment was when the Puerto Rican singer and band performed "Ruthless" and transitioned into a cover of the iconic ‘90s song "Lovefool” by The Cardigans, before transitioning back into their own tune, “Care For You.”

Under the alternating blue and red hues throughout the performance, María took time to interact with the audience by acknowledging the diversity in the crowd. She called out, “¿De dónde son?… ¡Colombia!?” followed by Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Zardoya’s native country, Puerto Rico, and a few other South American nationalities. The competition for who was the loudest was definitely intense.

It was the kind of performance where you couldn't help but be mesmerized and incredibly involved in the hype. This intimate show reminded me of my love for indie artists who deserve every bit of recognition they are receiving. Her energy is contagious and something all indie lovers need to experience.

With one outfit change and a transparent water-filled bathtub later, Zardoya left the crowd incredibly triumphant and wanting more. She is remarkably skilled at making you, as an audience member, feel like a friend, feel involved, and forget any personal trials outside of the venue doors.

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One of the many things that stood out to me about this performance was that Zardoya took so much time during her set to thank the audience for being there. She showed immense appreciation for everyone in attendance—including the front-liners who probably stood outside since that morning to get the spot they snagged, pointing them out specifically. Gratitude from artists is always so endearing to me and honestly makes me a bigger fan! Getting to know them more personally makes you feel closer to them and their music, which is what it’s all about.

If you still have a chance to catch them on this tour leg, don’t miss it. I repeat, don’t miss it.

Get tickets HERE.

Written by

Savannah Jewel

Meet Savannah, a visionary entrepreneur and founder of a thriving social media agency. With a deep passion for storytelling and digital creativity, she helps businesses craft compelling messages that resonate with the world. Graduating from Florida International University during the pandemic, Savannah honed her skills in content creation, always staying ahead of industry trends. From video production and social media strategy to writing and filmmaking, she constantly experiments with new ways to engage audiences. Beyond her work, Savannah is a dedicated film connoisseur, traveler, and avid reader. She’s also a fierce advocate for women in business and artistic self-expression, championing creativity in all its forms.

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