Musicians and fans from around the globe descended upon Mexicali for Baja Prog 2013 lured by the possibility of aural utopia. This international festival brought out many musical giants in the progressive-music world, including the Crimson ProjeKct, Ghalahad, Panser Ballett, Eddie Jobson, and Mexicali’s own Cast. The musicianship was outstanding and the hospitality of the city could not have been more gracious.

There were many highlights throughout the four-day festival, including a mind-bending performance by Swedish performers Anglagard. The five-piece band extended the boundaries of most listeners and gained many new followers through the sheer fearlessness in their approach to the genre. The band combined complex piano and synthesizer arrangements with bass, drums, abstract guitar, sax, flute, and a balloon (!) in an effort to create an atmosphere of wonder and astonishment.

The highlight of the festival may have occurred opening night, when guitar virtuoso Steve Hackett stunned the crowd with a set comprised entirely of early Genesis material. Hackett’s genius was at the forefront in his two-hour performance featuring such gems as “Supper’s Ready” and “Dance on a Volcano.” His tasteful, if at times complex, leads propelled the music forward, ultimately triumphing with the show-stopping “Los Endos.”

Concert: Baja Prog 2013
Date: April 3-6
Venue: Teatro Del Estado & Hotel Colonial
Seats: Balcony