Gizmo Varillas Brings Spanish Sunshine and Percussive Rhythms to Paris
On a chilly Parisian evening, Gizmo Varillas transformed the venue into a sun-drenched sanctuary of rhythm and melody, delivering a performance that seamlessly blended his multicultural influences into a tapestry of sound that had the entire crowd moving from start to finish.
Opening with the uplifting “Where Is the Love” followed by the protest-tinged “Freedom for a Change,” Varillas quickly established the evening’s warm, inclusive atmosphere. By the time he reached “Follow the Sun,” the audience was fully engaged, enthusiastically singing along to the Spanish refrain: ‘de sol a sol, sol a sol’.
The percussion-heavy “Fever, Fever” became an interactive highlight as Varillas split the crowd in half for a call-and-response segment. One side shouted ‘fever fever’ while the other answered with a drawn-out ‘woooow,’ creating a moment of collective musical participation that elevated the room’s energy.
One of the night’s most touching moments came during “Desde el otro lado,” performed entirely in Spanish and dedicated to Varillas’s late father. Before playing, he shared personal memories, telling the audience, ‘I missed him so much as a child,’ adding emotional depth to an already poignant song.
Throughout the evening, Varillas and his band showcased an impressive array of percussion instruments, creating a rich, groovy foundation that made dancing almost involuntary. This rhythmic complexity, inspired by his Spanish and South American roots, distinguished the performance from typical singer-songwriter fare.
“Early Days” prompted a gentle sing-along as the crowd joined Varillas for the nostalgic line: ‘Do do you remember the early days when we were young, do you, my friend?’ As the song progressed, someone in the audience lit a lighter, with others following suit, bathing the venue in a warm glow that perfectly matched the song’s reflective mood.
Before performing “The World in Color,” Varillas spoke candidly about embracing life’s full spectrum of experiences. ‘We need to appreciate both the light and darkness,’ he said, setting up the song’s thematic exploration of finding beauty in contrast.
“Crossroads” arrived with a particularly personal introduction, as Varillas recounted his challenging years in London, juggling multiple jobs while pursuing music. ‘I felt consumed,’ he explained, describing how the pandemic prompted a move to Brighton, where he reconnected with nature. ‘This is what this song is about. This one’s called Crossroads,’ he said before launching into the reflective track.
After closing the main set with the hopeful “Still Holdin’ On,” Varillas returned for a powerful three-song encore that showcased his range. The politically charged “No War” gave way to the Spanish-language “Al Caminar,” before the night concluded with the oceanic metaphors of “Hijo del Mar,” leaving the audience awash in good feelings as they spilt into the Paris streets.
What made the evening special wasn’t just Varillas’s melodic craftsmanship or his band’s tight performance, but the genuine connection established with the audience. Through stories, shared singing, and rhythmic participation, the show transcended mere entertainment to become a communal celebration of music’s borderless power to unite and uplift.
Photos (c) Ash Psaltopoulos
