Ammar and Ángel Loor’s MAC Show was for Family
THE DOUBLE-HEADED 11:11 SHOW AT MAC BROUGHT OUT HYPER-DEDICATED FANS
It's rare to experience a punk show where the floor trembles both from the force of the music and a train chugging steps away. Milford Arts Council, a train station turned arts venue, reverberated with the electric energy of Ammar and Ángel Loor's double-header show, drawing a dedicated crowd by train, car, or strolling in curious about the sound (whether one of the family’s 5-year-olds was a CT pop punk fan I’m not sure). Regardless of transportation, everyone was ready to scream along with fellow fans loyal to the musicians and their tri-state openers.
I was DJing to warm up the crowd before the acts, but they were already revving to go. The show was younger, considering Miguel Loor of Ángel Loor is a senior in high school. The family-oriented town was awash with angsty teens ready to rage. It was a crowd where many sleeve tattoos were probably procured with fake IDs, and teens bragged about finding lighters in thrifted jackets. It was still an all-ages show, encouraging everyone to come out and enjoy music. The audience seemed familiar with one another, or at the very least, eager to forge new connections. Luke McDonald, the organizer behind Great Minds Presents, urged the crowd to mingle between sets, reinforcing the familial atmosphere.
The openers differed from Ammar and Ángel Loor’s punk-ish, full-band sounds. Openers Lifeofthom and Kaelin brought R&B vocals on top of the backtracks. Maiya Blaney kicked off the headliners with her sonic palate cleanser of soothing vocals and guitar. Her voice, a fusion of Bjork, Hayley Williams, and Willow, enveloped the audience, accompanied by an Erykah Badu-like sound machine (which sampled Erykah, too).
Ammar was first of the two headliners and wanted everyone to connect as physically and emotionally as possible. He pushed the crowd closer and closer together, directed the pit to be an “inclusive and nonbinary” mosh, and literally laid on stage at one point to center his energy as if he were at home. He is dedicated to creating a positive and supportive local music scene, moving back to Connecticut from living in LA for five years. After the performance, Ammar said it was the “best show of his life” because it was the most comfortable he’s ever been on stage. “I’m in a new body right now, if that makes sense.” I asked what this body felt like. “Refreshing. I’ve been in a depressed body. Very confused and lost. Now I feel very purposeful.” What’s his purpose? “I think guiding people to their reason of being, or at least leading that life by example.”
He sets an example for younger people in the scene, including Miguel. “Oh, that’s my brother,” huffed Ammar, just minutes after finishing his set and out of breath. “I see such a bright future for him. He’s a fearless artist and has so much love in his life.”
Miguel clearly does. Fellow New Haven artists, art scene mentors, and even his old math teacher came out. Ángel Loor came up onstage bombastic, wailing on his guitar to the point of breaking a string. He then pulled out an acoustic, leaning into the soulful-ness of his punk sound.
It was incredible how many people in the crowd knew every lyric to many of Ammar and Ángel Loor’s music. People were clearly inspired by their sounds – which are the artists’ intentions. “I want to inspire people who look like me,” said Miguel. “I want to let them know they can look like this and do shit like this. I moved here from Spain at ten years old, I didn’t know any English. And here I am.”
The dedication of those who traveled to Milford on a Saturday night, paid $15, and stayed for hours of music, despite the occasionally questionable sound quality, was a testament to the sense of family that has been fostered within the local music scene. “It feels like we have a family going,” said Luke McDonald. “It’s only getting stronger. It’s love and happiness and… seeing everybody organically grow.”
The music scene family is definitely a strong one. Esmer and Miguel played piano for lingerers after the show, bassist and guitarist Izzy was greeted by fans after he played in both headliners backing bands, Ammar’s little sister greeted him after his set. The familial vibes between Ángel Loor and Ammar were infectious, echoing out into the audience, supporting the artists through every broken string, every sound feedback hiccup, every journey taken to support local music. Just like Ammar, we are all evolving through the bodies we inhabit, with the strength of community propelling us forward.
