- Show Lineup: Valgur, 55CASTLES, Los Nasdrovia
- Genres: Synthpop, Darkwave, Indie Rock
- Venue: Club Congress
- Date: November 12, 2025
Whenever music from Mexico is discussed, artists such as Natalia Lafourcade, Caifanes, and Natanel Cano are often mentioned in the conversation. Certain sounds and instruments, like acoustic guitars and traditional drums, are associated with the nation to the extent that when artists with synth-like sounds like Valgur and Los Nasdrovia fly under the radar of the mainstream public.
Last week’s show was Valgur’s second time performing in Tucson, and the show did not disappoint. Overall, it was a great time, and I had a great experience from beginning to end.
The show started with Los Nasdrovia as the opener, with a Dreampop/Indie-Pop vibe to slowly ease into the electronic ambiance of the headliners. With songs like Floresss, their music invoked feelings of autumn appropriate with the chilly weather of Tucson that day. Listening to their performance live reminded me of the local shows in my town, accompanied by beer and a great time. I would highly recommend checking them out, especially if you are into artists such as Little Jesus and girl in red.
The vibe and sound radically changed once 55CASTLES entered the stage, introducing more electronic elements into the music. It reminded me of a mix between Molchat Doma and Death Grips, with some songs more intense than others. I was always inclined to dance, and I almost started moshing with how fun the music was. Songs like GHOSTWORLD and FACADE really stood out to me, inviting more of a contemporary goth vibe to the show. It was a huge surprise, but it was a welcome feeling nonetheless.
I also personally enjoyed the slow transition into the medieval/dark fantasy vibe from the chainmail piece being worn. Details such as clothing put into a performance really help make an experience more enjoyable, making the overall show more in theme with one another. 55CASTLES doesn’t have a similar sound to Valgur, yet the props and ambiance tied them together, unifying their collaboration in this tour.
When Valgur finally stepped onto the stage, I had no idea what to expect. I was enthralled by the theatrics behind their show: with black cloaks as their main costume and the use of a sword, a bible, and a teddy bear to elevate their way of performing their songs. The performance for Vanidad really made me appreciate the song more than I did before.
The color of the lights also played a significant role in enhancing the experience, with a predominant use of reds, purples, and blues that effectively highlighted the dark fantasy and mystery themes in the songs.
Most songs played were from their latest album, Armaggedon, but a couple of songs from Zapandú (Vampiro and El Pozo) were still played. The show was never boring; each part of the performance was carefully crafted to bring out the best experience, added to the groovy beats of the synths and the melodic vocals of the main singer.
Listening to all these songs live is something I will never forget. It is truly a magical experience to see the performance Valgur brings to the stage compared to just listening to their albums. I’m very grateful to them for reaching out when I expressed interest in a Tucson show, and I am excited to see what the future holds for this duo.
