The Mars Volta
Support: Feliz Y Dada & Kiani Medina
Pasadena Civic Center – Pasadena, CA
Wednesday, November 26th, 2025
Review/Pics: Manuel Gay
Concert Review: The Mars Volta at the Pasadena Civic Center
On Thanksgiving Eve, The Mars Volta took over the Pasadena Civic Center with a performance that showcased both their musical evolution and the diverse talent emerging from Puerto Rico. The band has been on the road since late October promoting their new album “Lucro Sucio; Los Ojos Del Vacio,” performing the record in its entirety from beginning to end. To set the tone for the evening, they brought along two Puerto Rican acts— an inspired move that highlighted the island’s musical range beyond the often-overshadowing reggaeton scene.
Feliz Y Dada: A Multimedia World Comes to Life
First on the bill was Feliz Y Dada, who appeared to have landed straight from their own starship. Their set felt like an otherworldly transmission—an experimental burst of sound and visuals that took the audience by surprise. After the show, curiosity pushed me to dig deeper, and I learned that Feliz Y Dada actually began as a comic book series that evolved into a full multimedia project before branching into music.
Musically, I can’t say I disliked what they were doing, but I found myself more drawn to the visual aspects. The towering wall of speakers created a striking stage design, and the elaborate masks and costumes were a photographer’s dream. While the robotic vocal effects were a bit much for my taste, the overall presentation was undeniably intriguing. I’m genuinely curious to see where this project goes next, because it’s certainly unlike anything else on the scene.
Kiani Medina: A Soulful Counterbalance
Next up was Kiani Medina, offering a completely different energy. Accompanied only by guitarist Javi Perez (her longtime friend) she delivered a beautifully stripped-down performance that emphasized her clear, soulful voice. Medina has long been part of the Puerto Rican music landscape, whether performing with her father, salsero Jerry Medina, or crafting her own blend of salsa, jazz, and alternative sounds.
She shared how honored she felt to open for The Mars Volta, a band she deeply admires. Her vocals filled the room with warmth and power, and “Clamores Vacíos” stood out as a highlight. With a handful of singles and collaborations already available on streaming platforms, I’ll definitely be watching for new releases.
The Mars Volta: Reinvention in Real Time
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for: The Mars Volta. One thing I’ve always loved about the band is their ability to evolve and break boundaries. Every album proves that genres can be bent, blurred, and reshaped. They’d make you believe you could fit a circle into a square if you approached it with enough imagination.
I fell in love with “Lucro Sucio; Los Ojos Del Vacio” from the very first listen, so hearing the album performed from start to finish felt like a dream. Since the record clocks in at about fifty minutes and their set ran roughly an hour and a half, I expected some improvisation, and the band delivered. Though the lineup has shifted over the years, founding members Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodríguez-López remain the band’s anchors, and this iteration felt incredibly tight and well-synchronized.
The lighting design added to the atmosphere, though it made photography challenging. Omar kept mostly to the back of the stage, often in near darkness and facing away from the audience, while Cedric and second vocalist Teri Gender Bender brought some high-energy movement to the front. Drummer Linda-Philomene Tsoungui’s kit was placed prominently at the right front of the stage, creating an unusual but visually compelling layout.
Although I’ve been listening to The Mars Volta since high school, this was my first time seeing them live. What struck me most is how unpredictable they are. From setlist to lineup to performance style. The band seems to reinvent itself like an organic being, constantly shifting yet always unmistakably The Mars Volta. I won’t miss another chance to see them; they remain one of the most fascinating and uniquely inventive acts out there.
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