Hermanos Gutiérrez
Review

Review & Photos by Ricky Bantog

Belly Up Tavern | San Diego, CA

March 22, 2023

Fresh off the release of their critically acclaimed album, El Bueno Y El Malo, in October of last year, Hermanos Gutiérrez hit the road for a 9 city spring tour across the US. Among their tour dates was a stop by the Belly Up Tavern in San Diego for a sold out show. Thankfully, I was able to snag a ticket for myself and witness the rising superstars in what could possibly be the last time we’re able to witness the duo in such an intimate environment. 

For the uninitiated, Hermanos Gutiérrez is comprised of Ecuadorian-Swiss guitarists and brothers, Estevan and Alejandro Gutierrez. They’ve been playing together for only six years, but their strong connection and bond can be felt in every note they play; creating these incredibly vibrant landscapes straight out of a Sergio Leone spaghetti western with only their guitars. 

For their latest release, the brothers expanded on their unique blend of Latin and Western sounds with the help of Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach. The entirety of the album was recorded at Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound Studio in Nashville, TN. Here they crafted ten vivid compositions that highlighted their intimate guitar playing where one brother’s rhythms and the other brother’s melodies twined around each other so that they became inextricable. Together, they generated what Estevan calls a “deeper, darker energy” defined by complex arrangements, sophisticated playing, and most of all their very close relationship.

Leading up to the start of the show, eager fans packed into the venue, patiently waiting for the arrival of the duo. The anticipation was palpable, and as soon as the lights dimmed, the roar of the crowd filled the entire venue. After a short introduction, the brothers picked up their guitars and “El Bueno Y El Malo” rang through the speakers. From the first note, it was clear that Estevan and Alejandro were in fine form, their guitars intertwining in a mesmerizing dance that transported the audience from a dimly lit bar to a journey across the dry landscapes of the American Southwest with the brothers as our guides.

As they moved from one song to the next, they dug deep into their discography but kept El Bueno Y El Malo as the focus of the night. Minimal words were spoken, only taking short pauses in between each song to introduce the next with an occasional short story to give the audience a look into their inspiration and writing process. This style of showmanship truly complimented their sound, allowing their guitars to take center stage and tell their stories through instrumentals. 

Soon enough, the final notes of their encore rang out, the crowd erupted in cheers, a standing ovation for two musicians who had given their all. It was clear that Hermanos Gutiérrez had left an indelible mark on everyone in attendance, and the memory of their sold-out show in San Diego would linger long after the final notes had faded away.