I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: November 5, 2025] Kianí Medina

After Feliz y Dada, I wasn’t really sure what to expect next.  The change was pretty dramatic.

Out came two normal-looking people.  They stood in the same place as Feliz y Dada but could not have been more different.

Kianî Medina is from Puerto Rico and she sang soaring vocal lines over a pre-programmed backing track and live guitars from her brother Jerry.  The songs were kind of dancey but the live guitar added so much texture and, at times, rocking out.

She sang in Spanish and has a gorgeous voice.  I liked how the songs were mostly synthy (sometimes synth sounds triggered by the guitar) and dancey and then the guitar sound would come in an play some ripping solos.

Kianî had some smooth dance moves especially when Jerry soloed.  And on one of her middle songs (I don’t have a setlist or know any song titles), things slowed down for a lovely sounding ballad.

It was followed by a staccato dance song with some cool guitar–Jerry’s guitar playing sounds like Omar’s on this one. 

Kianî’s voice is very strong and she really commanded the room–for a (I’m guessing) largely English-speaking audience, she held the room rapt.  This rocking sog (second to last song) was my favorite. I really enjoyed her delivery and Jerry’s solo was amazing.

Overall Kianí seemed very cool and casual on stage but that did not detract from her power.  It seemed to enhance it even.

And between these two openers, it really set the stage for the diversity of sounds that The Mars Volta would be bringing shortly.

And Daniel Kirby has a recording of her set from Texas.