Diles Que No Me Maten

It is a rare and fine thing to book a ticket to a band and see them on perfect form in a perfect setting, but that is what Diles Que No Me Maten delivered on Thursday. The Mexican band — hard to sum up in a few words, their influences ranging from post-punk to sprawling jazz, falling somewhere between Caroline and The Windmill scene — put on a lustrous performance to an adoring crowd in the sweaty confines of Moth Club, ending in much-deserved applause.

The five-piece have been taking Mexico City by storm since 2017, but in recent years they have pulled together a range of rambling tracks that speak to their talent for storytelling. The lyrics are often sparse and direct, sung over a swelling melody, with standouts including the wistful gut-punch of ‘Tan Grande Nada’, arguably one of the most interesting songs to come out of Latin America’s thriving alternative scene in recent years. 

From the off, it was clear that the band had crafted a setlist that would combine their instrumental pieces with fan favourites, moving seamlessly between songs, the performance dreamlike and soupy in the midsummer heat. For all the distinct sounds at play, the entire set was pinned together by lead singer Jonás Derbez’ distinctive voice and style of delivery, at points touching on an artful Mike Skinner. Particular highlights included ‘Manos de Piedra’ and ‘Hiriku’, the latter drawn from their recent album Escrito En Agua, a meditative collection that will be particularly rewarding to listen to come autumn.

By the end of the night, the room was still packed, the audience shouting their praise. The band are performing at Latitude this weekend and should be at the top of the list for anybody looking to see a dynamic group who rarely make it over to the UK. In years to come, it can only be hoped that their profile continues to rise, and that they are gifted the opportunity to perform in larger venues that can capture their ever-growing sound. ¡Felicidades a los chicos!