Andy Palacio and the Garifuna Collective just returned from a 51 stop tour of Europe and North America. Between April 26th and July eighth they performed shows in Mexico, Slovenia, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Ireland, the UK, Belgium, Canada and the USA. It's been wildly successful. The Collective has played to enthusiastic audiences of as many as ten thousand in Mexico and has been reviewed in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the British Guardian. But as much as it's been a break through, it's also been exhausting. So, after finishing up in Portland Oregon last night, they headed home today. Andy stopped by 7NEWS to tell us that's he's never been happier to be home.
Andy Palacio, Returned from World Tour
"Coming home is the best gift that we have been given so far. The privilege to be able to perform for thousands abroad is priceless but coming home is even doubly priceless."
Jules Vasquez,
What is the first thing you did when you got home?
Andy Palacio,
"I hugged somebody, just to say it is great to be back home. I wanted to feel the human warmth that Belize boasts of all the time so I had to do that first. And I think my next stop will be for a cold Belikin."
Jules Vasquez,
What has the reception been like?
Andy Palacio,
"It's been beyond words. The people show us a level of appreciation that is so high that borders on true understanding. we feel that we have delivered in a way that music is truly an international or universal language."
Jules Vasquez,
Where have you seen the best reception?
Andy Palacio,
"I particularly remember London because of the amount of Belizeans who came out in the audience. We had Byron Wallen in audience, we had Assad Shoman, we had Francis Reneau, Ambassador Sylvestre and his staff, friends of mine who worked with me at culture partnerships 20 years ago came out, people from the media; it was really really a family gathering. It was a very small audience by comparison to some of the festivals that we played but that intimacy at Cargo in London is unforgettable.
Most of the time we get to a location, we unpacked, sound check, perform, load back into the van, hit the road onto the next destination and perhaps get a little rest before we go back on stage.
I got interviewed at least two or three times a day by different media from different countries; telephone interviews. As a matter of fact this morning I just finished one with the San Francisco Chronicle which should be coming out very soon."
After a three week break, the tour resumes in Virginia on June 28th and runs right through to November when they will perform in the Netherlands.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
