A long, eager line of fans snaked through the parking lot of the South Side Ballroom, small talk filling the humid Dallas night. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the venue’s red-brick exterior and glowing signboard bathed the crowd in warm light, setting the stage for a dreamy night with The Marías.
Indie pop band The Marías delivered an enchanting and lulling performance July 22, leaving their devoted fans spellbound as part of their sensational Submarine Tour, titled after their latest album “Submarine.” The band, formed in 2016 and named after its lead singer María Zardoya, has become known for its ethereal blend of indie pop, jazz and psychedelic sounds. Hundreds of fans dressed in simple yet stylish attire filled the venue, bathed in mesmerizing colors that seemed to echo the band’s underwater-themed tour.
As the crowd gathered, a sense of anticipation filled the air. American songwriter Sarah King and rock band Automatic opened the night, setting the perfect mellow and intimate mood for The Marías. The audience, buzzing with quiet chatter, waited patiently as the stage transformed for the main act.
With each flicker of light, the crowd’s excitement grew, culminating in a thunderous cheer as the band took the stage. Zardoya appeared like a vision, elegantly standing on a pedestal and dressed in a flowing white gown artfully torn from the shoulders to the wrists and down to her ankles, adding to her otherworldly presence. The royal blue lights that surrounded her created a serene and mystical atmosphere, perfectly complementing the band’s soothing melodies.
Other members on stage included guitarist Jesse Perlman, keyboardist Edward James and Josh Conway, drummer and co-founder of the band. Together, they laid down grooves ranging from mellow to infectious, perfectly complementing Zardoya’s vocals and adding depth to the band’s signature sound.
As the band began to play, the crowd responded energetically, clapping, cheering and wooing throughout the set. Fans eagerly sang along to nearly every song in both Spanish and English, their voices melding with Zardoya’s in a harmonious chorus. During the more upbeat tracks such as “Run Your Mouth,” the audience jumped in excitement, while during slower songs, couples swayed together and friends gently danced, their hips moving in rhythm with the music.
The setlist included songs from The Marias’ second studio album “Submarine” like opening songs “Hamptons” and “If Only,” and fan favorites like “Only in My Dreams.” The stage lights shifted to a greenish hue during “Little by Little / Un millón,” transforming the venue into an immersive submarine-like experience. The band’s collective synergy was on full display where the combination of drums, bass, and guitar created a hypnotic, oceanic vibe. The deep, underwater tones of the music combined with the lighting created a sense of being enveloped by the sea, an effect that was both calming and entrancing.
The trumpet solo during “Ruthless” easily became one of the standout moments of the night. Trumpeter Gabe Steiner, silhouetted in a fiery orange-red light, took center stage, delivering a powerful and haunting performance. Later, during “Lejos de ti,” he was silhouetted again, this time in a soft white and grey light, giving him an ethereal, almost angelic appearance. It was as if he was being reborn through the music — a truly beautiful and unforgettable moment.
The crowd’s enthusiasm reached its peak during the encore of “Cariño.” When the concert initially ended, fans chanted for Zardoya to return, their voices rising in unison, calling out “uno más, uno más!” Their wish was granted and Zardoya came back on stage, much to the crowd’s delight. As she sang “Cariño,” the audience’s energy was palpable, with everyone singing along and reaching out as Zardoya moved closer to the edge of the stage. Her connection with the crowd was almost tangible, with hundreds of hands reaching out to grasp hers.
Zardoya’s intimacy with the audience was real. She took the time to interact with fans in between songs and get to know them. She occasionally spoke in Spanish, recognizing fans from various places, with the largest reaction coming from the Mexican crowd as she asked where everyone was from. Her voice, when addressing the audience, was dreamy and sensual, flowing effortlessly between songs. Her movements on stage were captivating, sometimes erratic and other times fluid, swaying to the music in a trance.
Toward the end of the set, during “Cariño,” Zardoya stepped off the stage and into the crowd. Fans eagerly supported her as she was lifted, crowd surfing and creating a moment of pure connection between the artist and the audience before she returned to the stage. The encore was a fitting conclusion to the evening, with Zardoya reappearing in a cute white dress and little black boots, her voice hauntingly beautiful.
The Marías’ performance was a masterclass in creating a captivating and immersive concert experience. From the meticulously curated setlist to the stunning visual elements, every detail was thoughtfully executed — even down to the final few minutes of the show, where the band closed with dreamy sensual numbers “Just a Feeling / Ride” and “All I Really Want Is You” and left the audience in a state of euphoria.
