Levi Platero returns to Levitt AMP series
By Steven Hughes
Sun Correspondent
The Levitt AMP Gallup Music Series is celebrating its fifth anniversary with its next lineup of 10 free family-friendly performances throughout the summer season.
“We aim to feature a diverse range of genres, not just typical music commonly found in Gallup,” Michael Bulloch, executive director for the Gallup MainStreet Arts & Cultural District, said.
This year’s show features music from indie rock to R&B, and some metal performances.
In tandem with the music series, the Sun will produce Q&As that give a glimpse of the minds of these performers.
THE JUNE 14 PERFORMANCE
Levi Platero, a blues artist from Albuquerque, will return to the Gallup Music Series stage for his second performance at 7 pm on June 14 at the Courthouse Plaza. Platero last performed in 2024 and said he enjoys the financial barrier being taken down whenever he participates in free community events.
He added that this is the third time the Levitt AMP Gallup Music Series has asked him to perform. What should’ve been the day of his first Levitt Amp series performance was actually rained out.
Platero’s upcoming Gallup performance comes after he and his wife welcomed their first child, a girl, into the world. He said he’s been enjoying adding father to his résumé of life and can’t wait to support her in whatever she does in the future.
The Gallup performance is part of his summer/early fall tour. Before heading to Gallup, Platero was the opening act of the Santa Fe Botanical Garden’s Sunset Concert Series on June 6.
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Gallup Sun: What do you hope to achieve from your Gallup performance?
Platero: “I just want to bring together all the people in unity and just enjoy some good night of music. If anybody comes out to watch me perform or at any concert, the whole idea is to get away from everyday life and what’s going on because there’s so many things going on. People are caught up in either work, politics, or just everyday struggles.”
Gallup Sun: What’s your goal as a musician?
Platero: “Just keep going. I just want to keep playing and do what I love. I’m not after fame, glory, or riches. I feel like I’m a rich man. I have a wife, a home, and I’m a brand-new dad. I’m happy with what I have. I love to play, though. I just want to keep going.”
Gallup Sun: Why did you think you’d garner such a listenership?
Platero: “I don’t know. I think I never knew people were going to like my music. I don’t think that was the goal, to be liked. I just wanted to make music that came out of me. Whether they like it or not, it is up to them. Music is subjective. I think I knew it wasn’t a popular genre of music, but I did it anyway because I love it.
I don’t know if I’m making music that can be categorized as a genre because it’s got a lot of other influences. It’s not just blues. I write music that I feel I would listen to or enjoy hearing. Everybody’s going to have an opinion about a piece of art published to the world. We live in a time and place where everything is criticized. I used to care about it when I was younger, but now I’m just going to put out what I like.”
Gallup Sun: When did you last learn something that improved your musicianship?
Platero: “I’m always learning something. Each time I go out to a performance, write music, or listen to music. Even when I’m watching someone perform or somebody sends me a video about a performance I just did. I’m always trying to hear stuff in my head about what else I can play, but in the moment, it’s different.
I usually get excited about trying to learn something, and when I hear something, I have to go to my guitar and figure it out. As far as the business side too, I’m always learning something new. The more you learn about the music industry, the more depressing it can get because it’s like you figure out what everybody caters to as what they feel is music. Everybody has their opinion, but I’ve been in it long enough now that I’m not offended or hurt by what everybody says.”
Gallup Sun: What’s your next project?
Platero: “I have an album coming out in August. It’s done, just getting it put together and packaged nicely. That’s kind of my big thing at the moment. I have some cool gigs happening later this year in the fall, but it’s all been revolving around this album.
I’m releasing a vinyl with it too. I think the vinyl will only have eight songs, but the CD and digital release will have 11 songs. That’s just how it has to be. That’s all probably going to happen soon. The digital release will be out a little earlier. I’m having an album release party on Aug. 23 at the KiMo Theater in Albuquerque.”
For more information about the upcoming performance, email Bulloch at director@gallupmainstreet.org.
Follow Platero on Instagram at levi_platero.
