Our label had told us how important a ‘territory’ Mexico is for us (they love using words like that) so we booked a swing through 3 cities after our US jaunt. We felt like real rock stars there. We even got to hold our very first press conference – just like the Beatles! Here’s my view from the firing line (see if you can spot J-Ha again – he pops up a couple of times in this post, along with Stephen, our lovely manager):

We’d been treated to some fine Mexican spirits – Mezcal, Pulque and Passito – beforehand, so apologies to you journalists if our answers were not concise and to the point.

One thing I didn’t get about Mexico, though, was how all the promoters tried to dissuade us from eating Mexican food during the trip: they all seemed to think that somehow we wouldn’t be able to handle it. Now, aside form being food explorers here at Metronomy, we’ve had more stag night vindaloos than you Mexican promoters have had hot tacos, amigos, and we’re doing fine, thanks. In our hosts’ defence, apparently Sigur Ros had to cut their recent Guadalajara set short due to ‘Montezuma’s Revenge’. Guess it’s not just Icelandic banks that have ‘runs’, eh lads?

When we got back to the venue in Puebla, just before it opened, we found a brace of art students hand-drawing Metronomy logos on balloons ready for the party. Great work ladies! They looked amazing.

 

In Mexico City we had a great time meeting up with Ximena Saranina, the Mexican singer. Joseph had remixed one of the tracks from her album, and she joined us onstage during the encore to sing it live. Our first ever guest vocalist – what a blast! Shame Joe couldn’t pronounce her name at any stage during the evening. It came out something like Juan-Meena. She hasn’t returned any of our calls. Here she is. This was during our meal with her before it all went sour.

 

Our last show, in Monterrey, ended with a bang. We ended up inviting what seemed like half the audience into our dressing room for a big party. There was a record deck and a fine selection dance party music from the 90s. Stephen was in his element – it reminded him of his youth I guess. We played tracks like ‘Horny’ by Mousse T and danced the night away.

 

The next morning it was home time. We took three flights over 24 hours and arrived back to an England covered in snow. After travelling over 7,000 miles in one day, Oscar and J-Ha were stranded in London, unable to travel the remaining 50 miles down to the South Coast. Ah beloved Blighty! How we missed you.