Tanghetto is one of Argentina’s top electrotango bands.
They play the kind of music dancers call Tango Nuevo, although that is actually Astor Piazzolla’s tango. There is however a line from Piazzolla’s tango-jazz to Tanghetto’s tango-jazz-pop.
Tanghetto plays electronic tango for dancing at Midsummer Night Swing in the bandshell at Damrosch Park Lincoln Center on Thursday, July 5, 2018. $17 – $20
Tanghetto
Tanghetto was founded by Max Masri and Diego S. Velázquez in 2002. This was the time of the Argentinazo, a period of civil unrest and rioting in Buenos Aires during Argentina’s financial crisis of 2001 – 2002.
Tanghetto is one of the bands that defined the electrotango sound along with Gotan Project, Bajofondo, Otros Aires and others.
At the time there was also a burst of young Argentine orquesta tipicas like Fernández Fierro. It was kids playing tango classics with rock and roll energy. Tanghetto has this element too. But instead they play rock and roll with tango energy.
Emigrante (2003)
Emigrante means emigrant, the opposite of immigrant. It’s a reference to how young Argentines were leaving the country to escape the financial crisis.
Emigrante was nominated for “Best Instrumental” at the 2004 Latin Grammy Awards.
Emotional hysteria is the national sport after soccer. Mente Fragil (Fragile Mind) caused a stir in still conservative Argentina because the woman in the video gets happy by having a lesbian relationship. A lot has changed since, but that was then.
Hybrid Tango (2004)
Hybrid Tango blends world music with electrotango. It was nominated for “Best Tango Album” at the 2005 Latin Grammy Awards.
Buenos Aires Remixed (2005)
This album includes remixes of Tanghetto songs and covers of Depeche Mode’s Enjoy the Silence and New Order’s Blue Monday. It got airplay in the United States and the band began touring internationally. Covering pop songs in Tanghetto’s electrotango style has become a trademark of theirs.
El Miedo a la Libertad (2008)
This album won a Gardel Music Award (Argentine Grammy). It covers Sting’s Englishman in New York, the Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams and Herbie Hancock’s Cantaloupe Island.
Más Allá del Sur (2009)
This album went back towards a more traditional tango. It was nominated for a 2010 Gardel Award. The band covers Radiohead’s Fake Plastic Trees.
VIVO (2010)
This album was recorded during the El Miedo a la Libertad and Más Allá del Sur tours. It includes covers of the White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army and Kraftwerk’s Computer Love.
VIVO Milonguero
A milonguero is an old timer who spends most nights dancing at tango parties. It covers Piazzolla’s Libertango. The album won a Gardel Award.
Incidental Tango
The band took a turn towards film music. It made sense because the band always had a very cinematic sound. This was the beginning of a trilogy of albums.
Hybrid Tango II
The band tried to channel the immigrant experience that created the Argentina of today.
This was the first Tanghetto album to feature vocals. Max Masri sang the tango classic Vuelvo al Sur and Uruguayan singer Tabaré Leyton sang a couple of tracks as well. The album was nominated for a 2014 Latin Grammy Award for “Best Tango Album.”
Progressive Tango
The band continued to expand its horizons with this album.
Desenchufado
This is Tanghetto unplugged.
Vivo en Buenos Aires – 15 Años (2018)
The band’s latest was released on May 4, 2018.
Tanghetto in New York City
Tanghetto plays electronic tango for dancing at Midsummer Night Swing in the bandshell at Damrosch Park Lincoln Center on Thursday, July 5, 2018. $17 – $20
Argentines Walter Perez and Leonardo Sardella teach Tango.
DJ Ilene Marder moves the floor.
There will be a special dance performance by Nicole Agaronnik and Rik Daniels of the American DanceWheels Foundation.
Tanghetto Tickets
Tickets are for the dance floor.
$17 in advance
$20 day-of-show
Before 5 pm: David Geffen Hall Box Office (the building on the right or north of the main plaza).
After 5:30 pm at Damrosch Park
Visit Damrosch Park in Lincoln Center
Travel light. Don’t take any bags. You can’t leave them on the dance floor and here is no seating on the dance floor. Bags must be checked for $4 per bag.
The dance floor is a sprung wood dance floor, so if you are a dancer, bring shoes appropriate to your style of dancing.
Weather cancellations are at 8:30 pm. Weather changes quickly at this time of year so prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.
Subway
(1) to 66th St – Lincoln Center
(1) or (A) (C) or (B) (D) to 59th St – Columbus Circle
Bus
M5, M7, M11, M66, M104 to Lincoln Center
Parking
Beneath Lincoln Center
