One of Costa Rica’s most beloved bands, Malpaís, will bid farewell to the public with a Nov. 18 concert at the National Stadium in west San José. The show is also a much-anticipated tribute to founding member and lead singer Fidel Gamboa, who died of a heart attack Aug. 28 (TT, Aug. 29).
“We don’t want to end the Malpaís journey without saying farewell to the fans,” said Jaime Gamboa, Fidel’s brother and composer of several Malpaís songs, in a statement. “We also want to pay our own homage to Fidel independently of what the group may do in the future.”
Malpaís was formed in 1999 and officially entered the scene in 2002 following the release of its first album, “Uno.” The group’s live performances helped build a fan base prior to that album’s release. The group produced three more albums: “Historias de nadie” in 2004, “En vivo” in 2006 and “Un día lejano” in 2009.
A new album of the last songs composed by Gamboa will be sold at the show, and the songs will be performed during the concert. The band was able to complete this album because Gamboa had already recorded the tracks’ vocals, thus allowing the band to combine them with instrumental parts completed after Gamboa’s death.
A number of national and international acts, including the Costa Rican Philharmonic Orchestra, will perform alongside Malpaís in a show that organizers say will run at least two hours. Guest performers will play for free. Money earned from album sales and tickets will be donated to Gamboa’s family.
Tickets will cost ₡5,000-₡10,000 ($10-$20) and will go on sale Nov. 4 at 8 a.m. via www.laboleteria.co.cr and authorized points of sale. Credix cardholders may purchase tickets in advance of general sales, starting Oct. 28.
And what comes next for the remaining members of Malpaís?
“After November we will continue to be a group of friends and brothers from a common past, with a future that has yet to be written,” Jaime Gamboa said in the statement.
