Concert at the Loft? Okay, I'll sit through anything if Mulholland Drive is playing afterwards.

Show Lineup: Rebekah Del Rio, Mulholland Drive (2001)

Genre(s): A Capella, Dream Pop, Film Soundtrack, + Movie Screening

Venue: The Loft Cinema

Date: October 23, 2021

*me next to the poster inside of the theater

Description:

When I first heard a month ago that Tucson's local art-house cinema, The Loft Cinema, was going to be playing David Lynch's 2001 film Mulholland Drive, I instantly jumped at the opportunity for tickets. Lynch is one of my favorite filmmakers of all time, and Mulholland is by far his best movie in my opinion (other works like Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, and all of Twin Peaks are still personal favorites of mine too!)

It was later that I found out that this screening was part of a concert tour that vocalist Rebekah Del Rio is on to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the movie. Del Rio appears in one of the most emotional scenes of Mulholland, with her Spanish cover of Roy Orbison's "Crying" (a classic in it's own right, but PLEASE check out Del Rio's cover if you haven't already... literal CHILLS). I only knew her from this scene, as well as a cameo she made in Twin Peaks: The Return in 2017, so I was unsure of what to expect from a Rebekah Del Rio concert. Despite my uncertainty, I still excitedly went to the Loft on Saturday night, because you could tell me to sit through literally anything with the promise that Mulholland Drive would play afterwards and I would enthusiastically agree to it.

Upon arrival, everything seemed to be gearing up for a normal screening in The Loft's main auditorium. I sat down with my popcorn and was prepared to watch my favorite movie (popcorn was free because of my Loft membership I got at a student discount!!). I was actually expecting the movie to play first followed by a concert, but it ended up being the other way around. As the lights dimmed, Rebekah walked on stage, a spotlight appeared over her, and she instantly began her A Capella cover of Orbison's Crying, "Llorando". She sounded great, just as good as 20 years ago even! her performance was vocally dynamic and powerful and nearing the emotion of the film's iconic Llorando performance.

Sadly, the set was not problem free, and sound issues became apparent with the introduction of songs in the setlist that had backing tracks. After her amazing opener, Del Rio played "No Stars" her dreamy ballad that appears in an episode of Twin Peaks: The Return. Her performance was once again great on the vocal end, but her volume, as well as the volume of the backing track, was inconsistent. Sound would constantly go back and forth between being either passable for a minimal performance or WAY too quiet. Part of the inconsistency could have to do with Del Rio's vocal techniques that seem much more suited for A Capella performances (or shows with better setups), but I think the main issue is that the Loft Cinema is not optimized for musical events like this... but that is okay! Occasions like these are very uncommon, and the Loft usually has great sound when screening movies. I just found it odd that the performance part of this event was so quiet! Really... the movie was at least 2-3 times louder than the part you would expect to be at full volume. The setlist sequencing also felt a little rushed? or odd? I don't know... this isn't really a complaint, just something that I feel Del Rio's set could've improved on. Aside from this though, her performance was still a very enjoyable experience that I would totally recommend to any Mulholland Drive fans for when she eventually comes back to Arizona! (just preferably in a real music venue... hahah)

Even with all my thoughts on Del Rio's concert portion of this event, the real reason I came was to, of course, WATCH MULHOLLAND DRIVE IN A MOVIE THEATER!! You literally couldn't even pay me to shut up about this movie, it is one of my favorites of all time. For the sake of anyone reading, I will not be reviewing Mulholland Drive in this post, but if you have not already seen this masterpiece, please do yourself a favor and watch it as soon as possible (as of this post, it is streamable on Showtime or available for rent anywhere you rent movies online). I can only explain Mulholland Drive as a movie that makes you feel everything. It is a very thrilling and VERY surrealist mystery movie, but there are very strong elements of romance, horror, and comedy all within the movies 2.5 hour runtime. You will feel your soul being crushed by the end of this movie, but that's what makes it so exciting.

After the movie, there was a small Q&A and Meet and Greet with Rebekah Del Rio for those who stuck around after the movie. Del Rio offered a lot of insight into how she got the role, what it's like to work with David Lynch, and how her life has changed since the 2001 film. This part of the event was very fun, and a good wind-down after having just been traumatized once again by the movie's final scene. Nothing too much to talk about here, just a good low-key way to end a great event. I hope more Lynch films get shown at the Loft soon, and I hope all of you go visit the Loft! it's one of my favorite places to go on weekends, and i'm personally looking forward to already going back to see Wes Anderson's new movie The French Dispatch, as well as Edgar Wright's Last Night in Soho. :)

*P.S The author of this review went to Cane's after this event, and ate a Box Combo sooooooo fast.

Reviewer Name: George Romero

Date of Review: October 27, 2021