Adding to the political fervor surrounding the UCLA campus
lately, Latin rock band Maná urged students to get involved in
areas other than state politics, pushing for environmental reform
at their Thursday night performance in Ackerman Grand Ballroom.
Maná, despite its huge international reputation, made a
stop at UCLA in the midst of its U.S. tour for an intimate
performance, during which it encouraged students to get involved in
environmental issues like protecting endangered animals and cutting
down on air pollution.
With the band seated on couches to contribute to the more
personal setting, lead singer Fher Olvera altered between rallying
students and performing the accessible Latin-flavored pop tunes
that brought Maná into the spotlight of U.S. mainstream
culture.
Olvera attributed current environmental problems to ignorance
and pleaded with the audience to educate today’s youth on the
impact one person can have on changing today’s global
destruction.
At the end of the concert, the floor was opened up to the
audience for a question-and-answer session with the band.
“I think this (concert was) a little more intimate. It let
us see how they have hearts and they do care about things, not just
fame and money,” said Alberto Pina, a second-year
physiological sciences student.
While some argue that Maná has become too mainstream, many
see the band’s fame as an opportunity to touch a larger
audience. The group, recognizing its wide, multi-ethnic fanbase,
has used its music and the media as an outlet to influence
listeners despite cultural differences.
“I think it’s great. It’s a good example of
how they can use their musical ability to get a message
across,” Pina said. “It sets the standard for other
up-and-coming bands.”
Many are aware of the impact a rock band can have on younger
generations, and though Olvera may laugh at the idea of himself
running for office, the notion of rockers as political activists is
clearly not too far out of people’s minds.
“Getting out in the media is the best way to get anything
across,” third-year sociology student Irma Lule said.
“Yeah, maybe they are too mainstream, but they’re still
very down-to-earth. So much of their time and money is given up to
helping others.”