logo
Maná talks new tour and how Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination felt 'like a dream'

Maná talks new tour and how Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination felt 'like a dream'

USA Today23-03-2025

After nearly four decades of hits – including "Rayando el Sol," "Oye Mi Amor," "Mariposa Traicionera" and "Labios Compartidos" − Mexican rock band Maná is finally getting its due.
In February, the Grammy-winning group − lead vocalist Fher Olvera, 65, drummer Alex González, 56, guitarist Sergio Vallín, 52, and bass player Juan Calleros, 62 − became the first Spanish language band nominated for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction.
"Getting to this point in our career is like a dream," Olvera tells USA TODAY. "Truthfully, if you had told me a few years ago that this would happen, I wouldn't have believed it."
This year's nominees also include music icons Mariah Carey, Billy Idol, Oasis and Cyndi Lauper.
Since Mana's beginnings in 1986 − the same year the first class of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees made their mark (Elvis Presley, James Brown, Little Richard, to name a few) − the band has released 11 albums, including their 1992 album "¿Dónde Jugarán Los Niños?" which became the best selling Spanish language rock album of all time.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
This nomination "is an achievement shared with people who supported us from the beginning," Olvera adds.
González, who also serves as songwriter for Maná, says he's thankful to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame committee because "it's the first time since it was established that they've nominated a band singing solely in Spanish.
"For them to look our way and say, look at the musical impact this band has had in the United States, but also the social impact of the things they've done and the multigenerational reach we've had, is an honor," he adds. Whether the band is inducted or not, "The fact that they took us into account and nominated us opens a huge door for other artists in the future, not just Maná."
Maná on their humble beginning, breaking new records with arena tour
Maná is also looking to break records with their new tour. The rockers will embark on a 30-date North American Vivir Ain Aire tour (named after their iconic 1992 song) this fall, kicking off with back-to-back September dates in San Antonio, Texas.
"It's about time we get back to the States and feel the excitement of our fans," Olvera says. "Music serves as a way for us to heal and Maná, as a band, embodies that virtue."
In November, Maná will also return to Los Angeles' Kia Forum for four shows and is slated to break the record for most arena shows performed in the city's history with a total of 44 concerts. The title is held by Bruce Springsteen at 42 shows.
"It's impressive that we've been compared to the great musicians and artists who have performed hundreds of concerts in the United States and who are very beloved," Calleros says.
Olvera adds: "It's incredible, but on the other hand, it's all thanks to the fans because Los Angeles is our second home. That's where Maná's career in the United States began, and the fans are part of this achievement."
The vocalist recalled one of the first shows they played in Los Angeles in a small Sunset Boulevard venue. "I think there were around 500 people," Olvera says, adding their fanbase grew by word of mouth from fans.
On their Vivir Sin Aire tour, Maná will visit cities including Nashville, St. Louis, Baltimore, Montreal and Detroit for the first time. Vallín says it is a testament to the growing Latino community and "we're very excited that our music keeps reaching new fans and new places."
The band will tour through spring 2026 with North Carolina as its final stop.
Maná's tour to 'celebrate how incredible the Latino community is'
Known for their evocative lyricism and high-energy shows, Maná goes beyond the music by highlighting environmental, social, political and human rights issues.
"Maná was formed in 1986, so you can only imagine how many things we've seen socially and politically not only in our beloved Mexico but also in Latin America, Spain and the US," says González. "We've been a band that's held the Latino community close, as well as our Mexican people and all of our Latino brothers and sisters."
In 2018, when they became the first group to receive the Latin Recording Academy's Person of the Year award, they used their acceptance speech to promote a message of unity and justice during Donald Trump's first presidency.
New tour alert: Will Smith to hit the road on summer tour to promote new album
Now, in 2025, amid a second Trump presidency, Maná is still using its platform to support the Latino community by creating a space with their shows where fans can drown out the political noise and let loose.
"It's not the first time there have been problems in the US with different social issues," says González. "So we're simply going to celebrate how incredible the Latino community is, the contributions the Latino community has made and the weight we hold as a group of people."
But, ultimately, "let it be a great party."
Maná 'Vivir Sin Aire' 2025 tour dates
Sept. 5 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center
Sept. 6 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center
Sept. 11 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Sept. 19 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
Sept. 20 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Sept. 26 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Sept. 27 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Oct. 3 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
Oct. 4 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Oct. 10 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Oct. 11 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
Nov. 1 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
Nov. 2 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
Nov. 7 – Phoenix, AZ – PHX Arena
Nov. 8 – Phoenix, AZ – PHX Arena
Nov. 14 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
Nov. 15 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
Nov. 21 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
Nov. 22 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
Dec. 5 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
Dec. 6 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
Maná 'Vivir Sin Aire' 2026 tour dates
Feb. 21 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Feb. 27 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena
Feb. 28 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
March 7 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
March 20 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center
March 27 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
March 28 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
April 3 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
April 4 – Greensboro, NC – First Horizon Coliseum

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Christian rock band singer Michael Tait accused of sexual assault, drug abuse after he's ‘been living a double-life': report
Christian rock band singer Michael Tait accused of sexual assault, drug abuse after he's ‘been living a double-life': report

New York Post

time3 hours ago

  • New York Post

Christian rock band singer Michael Tait accused of sexual assault, drug abuse after he's ‘been living a double-life': report

The former lead singer of an award-winning Christian-rock band was allegedly 'living a double life' as he faces accusations of sexual assault, grooming and drug abuse dating as far two decades. Michael Tait, who served as the frontman for Newsboys for 16 years before leaving in January, allegedly abused alcohol and drugs before inappropriately touching several people, according to an investigative report from Christian media outlet, The Roys Report. Newsboys' current members, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, Jeff Frankenstein and Adam Agee, addressed the allegations against their former bandmate on Friday. Advertisement 5 Michael Tait performs with the Newsboys at the Desert Diamond Arena on March 16, 2024. Getty Images 'Last night our hearts were shattered when we read the news alleging drug abuse and inappropriate sexual actions by our former lead singer, Michael Tait. While Michael has not addressed these allegations, we are devastated even by the implications,' the band wrote on Instagram. 'First and foremost, our hearts are with the victims who have bravely shared their stories. If you are a victim, we urge you to come forward. We absolutely do not condone any form of sexual assault.' Advertisement The band members described themselves as fathers and husbands who were left 'horrified, heartbroken and angered' over the allegations against Tait. Tait, 59, allegedly confessed that he had been 'living a double life' when he left the group, the band claimed. 'We never imagined that it could be this bad,' the band added. 5 The Newsboys appear on the red carpet for 'God's Not Dead: In God We Trust' premiere in Southlake, Texas on Sept. 4, 2024. Getty Images Advertisement 5 Michael Tait arrives at the 49th Annual Dove Awards in Nashville, Tenn. on Oct. 16, 2018. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Tait announced he was departing Newsboys on Jan. 16, a day after a TikToker Azariah Southworth made a viral post claiming the singer was gay. The post reached over 250,000 views before it was removed from the platform for 'violent extremism,' according to the outlet. Tait didn't address the viral TikTok in his decision to leave the band. Advertisement 'While this may come to as a surprise given I've been touring ever since college, I've made for me what is a monumental and heartfelt decision that it is time to stepown from Newsboys,' he wrote in an Instagram post on Jan. 16. 'This decision does not come lightly and has been a shock to even myself, but amidst prayer and fasting, I have clarity that this is the right decision.' 5 Former Newsboys members Michael Tait and Peter Furler perform at the Dove Awards on Oct. 16, 2018. Getty Images Tate joined Newsboys in 2009 after having been the lead singer for Christian rap trio DC Talk. Tait allegedly befriended multiple people while on tour, including three men in 2004, 2010 and 2014, respectively. Two of the men, who were all 22 years old when they met Tait, 59, claim they were offered alcohol and they woke up to the singer allegedly fondling them, the outlet added. The third man alleges Tait offered him cocaine on the Newsboys' tour bus, gave him a back massage in a hot tub, and was invited to his king-size bed where the vocalist began to touch him non-consensually, the outlet reported. 5 Michael Tait and Newsboys perform at Lipscomb University on Nov. 29, 2022. Getty Images Newsboys' were nominated for four Grammy Awards between 1992 and 2003. Advertisement They have been nominated for 30 Dove Awards, winning six times, and have won several other awards, including a Billboard Music Video Award and two Nashville Music Awards. The band appeared in the movie 'God's Not Dead' as themselves performing a concert attended by the main characters played by Shane Harper and Kevin Sorbo.

Camper Van: Make it Home takes interior design on the road
Camper Van: Make it Home takes interior design on the road

Engadget

time16 hours ago

  • Engadget

Camper Van: Make it Home takes interior design on the road

Camper Van: Make it Home has everything you'd want out of a home-decorating simulator, but it's all on wheels and slightly miniaturized, and something about that combination is extra peaceful. The game is available on Steam right now, following a surprise drop during the Wholesome Games Showcase, which is part of Summer Game Fest 2025. In Camper Van: Make it Home , players solve organization puzzles and use their interior design skills to craft the mobile homes of their dreams. There's even space to decorate outside of the vehicle, and the accessories change along with the environments and seasons. Camper Van: Make it Home is just a perfect encapsulation of pastel dreaminess and cozy creativity. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so. Camper Van: Make it Home is developed by Spanish indie team Malapata Studio, with financial support from Wings. The game has been on a little journey from Kickstarter, where it garnered more than 2,000 backers in 2023, to today's full release on Steam.

Filipino Americans celebrate culture and community at Iskwelahang Pilipino graduation
Filipino Americans celebrate culture and community at Iskwelahang Pilipino graduation

Boston Globe

timea day ago

  • Boston Globe

Filipino Americans celebrate culture and community at Iskwelahang Pilipino graduation

Advertisement Camille Halloran, 9, from Boston, performed a traditional Filipino dance during a graduation ceremony and cultural dance showcase for Iskwelehang Pilipino. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Founded in 1976, Iskwelahang Pilipino claims the title of the oldest continually operating cultural school for Filipino Americans in the country. During the school year, students from toddlers to teens gather for classes in Filipino music, dance, language, history and identity. The annual graduation doubles as a cultural showcase, with performances by Iskwelahang Pilipino's rondalla string ensemble, regional folk dances and original student projects. This year's celebration, the 49th anniversary of the school's founding, carried extra weight, as it was the first graduation since Iskwelahang Pilipino relocated from Bedford, its longtime home, to a new space in Watertown. After a year of moving between temporary locations and uncertainty about the school's future. It also came at a time when both Advertisement Iskwelahang Pilipino's executive director, Myra Liwanag, has been part of the school since 1986, was a member of the first graduating class and now leads the organization her niece is graduating from. Watching this year's seniors perform, she said, was both joyful and bittersweet. Graduating seniors Brandon Lindsey, and Victoria Liwanag performed the traditional Filipino dance called, 'Manton' during the graduation ceremony. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff 'We want them to grow and be successful, but we don't want to lose them,' said Liwanag. 'Some of them are going far away, but we've been fortunate that a lot of those who stay get back involved.' Several alumni did just that, returning to take part in this year's performances — some stepping in just days before the show to join the rondalla ensemble or reprise dances they had learned years earlier. 'Rondalla — which is 'circle in the round' — is about developing a community. That's why people never graduate from it, because you don't graduate from a community,' said Elsa Janairo, who now directs the string ensemble she first joined as a child, also in 1986 . 'So moments like these are milestones, but they're not endings, and it's wonderful when we have the opportunity to bring back alumni and have them support the younger students and just keep the cycle going.' The graduation's dance segment featured pieces from the Maria Clara Suite, a repertoire of dances introduced during Spain's 333-year colonization of the Philippines. Drawing from Spanish styles like flamencoand jota, the performances reflected how Filipinos adapted colonial influences into uniquely local forms. Advertisement 'It's part of our ingenuity,' said Patricia Yusah, who has taught Filipino dance at Iskwelahang Pilipino for more than four decades. 'We took what was brought to us and Filipinized it.' Yusah said the program rotates regional styles each year to reflect the cultural range of the archipelago — from indigenous mountain dances to dances from the lowland regions of Luzon and the Visayas shaped by Spanish and Catholic traditions, to Muslim traditions from Mindanao. 'There's always something new to show,' she said. Just as its dances reflect the country's diversity, Iskwelahang Pilipino's lessons dig into the history behind them. The curriculum includes history units on colonialism, Filipino resistance and lesser-known Filipino American figures. Lilly Bolandrina, a 2020 graduate who now volunteers with the school's communications team, said the experience shaped her political worldview. Vela Harmon-Li wore a malong (a traditional Filipino-Bangsamoro rectangular or tube-like wrap.) Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff 'Growing up, we mostly learned history from one perspective,' said Bolandrina — a perspective that neglected the Philippines, also a US colony for almost 50 years, as well as Filipinos and Filipino Americans' contributions to U.S. and world history. 'But at IP, we saw the fuller picture. It gave me pride, and it gave me tools to stand up for myself.' As one of the few students of color in her elementary school, Bolandrina remembers being singled out and made to feel like she didn't belong. 'Being in a place that celebrates your differences, and treats you as important and valuable and special and interesting because of those differences, was just so empowering,' she said. Iskwelahang Pilipino also helped her understand that being Filipino American doesn't mean existing halfway between two cultures — it means belonging fully to both. Advertisement 'No matter who you are, no matter how much Filipino you think you are — when you're here with us, we see you as a full Filipino, and we see you as one of us,' she said. That sense of empowerment has taken on new necessity in recent years, amid rising anti-Asian discrimination and political threats to immigrant communities. Bolandrina said the school has grown more protective of its members by limiting public promotion of its location and choosing not to ask about immigration status. 'We want to stay open and celebratory,' she said. 'But we also want to stay safe.' Children dance a traditional Filipino dance during the graduation ceremony. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff In spite of those challenges, Iskwelahang Pilipino's leadership remains resolute in preserving the school for the next generation of Filipino Americans. As the organization approaches its 50th year, Myra Liwanag said her focus is on building a foundation that can sustain Iskwelahang Pilipino for another 50. 'Everything costs more. Families are stretched thinner,' she said. 'But this kind of cultural education is so important, especially for kids who are only a generation or two removed from immigration. We want them to know that who they are is enough.' Nathan Metcalf can be reached at

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store