The Mars Volta in El Paso

The Mars Volta are an American experimental rock band formed in El Paso in 2001 by vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala and guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López after At the Drive-In split. Their catalogue is built around long-form progressive rock, Latin rhythms and psychedelic passages, led by albums including De-Loused in the Comatorium and Frances the Mute, and songs such as “Inertiatic ESP” and “The Widow.” They played Coachella in 2003 during the touring cycle for their debut album. In 2006, they opened arena dates for Red Hot Chili Peppers on the Stadium Arcadium Tour, and in 2022 they returned after a decade away from the stage, beginning at The Factory in Deep Ellum in Dallas. The concerts use a full band built around Cedric Bixler-Zavala’s vocals and Omar Rodríguez-López’s guitar, and recorded songs are often extended through improvised instrumental passages. They brought the reunion set to Seattle’s Moore Theatre before reaching the Hollywood Palladium ballroom in Los Angeles.