It’s sold out @ The Enmore and the time has finally come for Manu Chao, I never thought I’d see him play in Australia.

Born in Paris to Spanish immigrant parents that fled the right wing dictatorship of the Franco regime. Manu’s grandfather was put to death by Franco’s jack booted fascists.

This is relevant to what Manu is about and it resonates in his music - people power Manu style.

I first came across his music 10 years ago whilst malingering in South/Central America over a 6 month period. Over there you can hear his music everywhere, from the cool cafes of Buenos Aries to hotels in the back blocks of Bolivia or by a cabana on the Colombian coast, they love this guy because he speaks to them.

The gig was a 2 hour 45 minute display of frenetic energy and total interaction from the band as they constantly put down their instruments, walked front of stage and embraced the crowd.

Cranking out the hits such as Me Gustas Tu (I like you too) and Bongo Bongo the crowd lapped it up and I was no exception.

I thought the band was a little loose at times but they could very well have been stoned, but that’s cool cause a lot of the audience was, there was a huge waft of Ganga smoke lingering at The Enmore.

As Manu sings in Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian and English my ‘Spanglish’ left me wanting at times but that didn’t matter, the message is people power and socialism Manu style.

I loved this gig and it being my very first for 2012, I’m a very happy man.

If Che Guvera was a musician he’d be Manu Chao.

- John Zuco The Right Profile