Fito Páez Ignites Hard Rock Live: A Night of South American Rock Glory in Fort Lauderdale

On Thursday, November 20th, the Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood roared in Spanish. The entire venue was packed with Latin Americans—mostly Argentinians—buzzing with excitement, smiles everywhere, ready to welcome one of the true giants of the southern cone. Among all the Latin artists who toured Florida, only a select few can genuinely claim the title of icon of Rock en Español, and Fito Páez is undeniably one of them.

From his breakthrough album “Del 63″ back in 1984, to his most recent 2025 release “Novela”, Fito’s artistic journey has always been infused with exquisite musical craftsmanship—rich harmonies, sophisticated chord structures, and lyrics that strike with equal parts social critique, romanticism, and that unique touch of Latin American “realismo fantástico”. A musician with strong Beatles influence, who carved into the Argentine rock scene alongside legends like Charly García, Spinetta, and so many others who shaped the sound of an entire generation.

Photo: Julisa Sandra Marquez

Fito opened the night with one of my all-time favorites, “El Amor Después del Amor,” diving immediately into a classic rendition of “Dos días en la vida“, the song inspired by the film Thelma & Louise. From that moment forward, the concert took off and never lost momentum. He moved into “11 y 6“—a masterpiece—followed by “Cuando el circo llega al pueblo”, “Circo Beat”, “Llueve sobre mojado”, and “Un vestido y un amor“. The first act closed with a beautifully classic arrangement of “Tráfico por Katmandú,” a true treat for the beloved 80s fans in the room.

The evening progressed in distinct movements, each shaped by its own emotional tone. Seated at the piano—just as in “11 y 6”—Fito delivered an epic, soul-stirring version of “Cable a Tierra,” then introduced “La Canción de las Bestias,” dedicated in part to icons like Violeta Parra and Chabuca Granda. He followed with “La Buena Estrella,” seamlessly woven into “Y Dale Alegría a Mi Corazón,” a song he originally wrote for his then-girlfriend Fabiana Cantilo, though many once believed it was a tribute to Diego Maradona. Every piece was performed with remarkable depth and introspection. A brief interlude offered a breath… only for the music to return with even greater intensity.

Photo: Julisa Sandra Marquez

The second half of the show was deeply emotional and musically rich. Fito returned to the stage opening with “Maldivina y Turbialuz,” which set the tone for a devastatingly beautiful version of “Tumbas de la Gloria,” another absolute classic. Then came “Paranoica Fierita Suite,” that fascinating track from his 2000 album Rey Sol—a song with an unmistakable South American 80s rock flavor, blended with hints of tango and salsa. A true gem, highly recommended.

Back to the performance, Fito continued with the 2009 fan favorite “Al lado del camino,” which brought the entire room to its feet with one of the loudest ovations of the night. And from that point, the emotional level simply didn’t drop. He launched into a wave of South American nostalgia with “La Rueda Mágica,” “Brillante Sobre el Micrófono,” “Ciudad de Pobres  Corazones,” and “A Rodar Mi Vida,” transforming the hall into a massive celebration. The crowd kept shouting for more.

Photo: Julisa Sandra Marquez

For the encore, Fito offered “Sale el Sol,” and closed the night with “Mariposa Tecknicolor,” the moment that brought the audience to peak euphoria. People danced, sang, and stayed on their feet until the very end. Before leaving the stage, Fito shared a meaningful reflection about music and the love for music—how, despite all the advances in technology, music does not accept copy-and-paste, and how “when good music returns, we will all be happier.”

The audience, standing with arms raised, echoed the final chorus as passionately as if it were a Boca Juniors vs. River Plate superclásico in the heart of Buenos Aires.