MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican composer María Leonora approaches each concert with a warrior's mentality, preparing herself for a transformative experience both onstage and for her audience. She adorns herself with striking makeup and layered clothing, shedding layers as the performance progresses, while an amulet serves as a protective charm. Prior to a recent performance in Mexico City, she expressed, “I look into the mirror and I sort of go to war. I brace myself to walk through the fire, and whatever happens happens.”

Her concert series, titled “Through All the Fire,” showcases performances in 2025 that are intricately connected by a unifying theme. She believes that music, like flames, embodies a profound potential for renewal. Reflecting on the dual nature of fire, she noted, “A fire can burn and destroy. But if you make it through, you can be reborn.”

The series takes inspiration from the ancient pre-Hispanic steam bath known as a “temazcal,” which played a significant role in Mesoamerican social and religious life. Leonora explained the experience of entering a temazcal: “You may suffer as you enter a temazcal, but you put up with it. You sweat and your ego cracks. Even if you don’t want to, heat breaks you.”

According to archaeologist Agustín Ortiz, temazcales were not only a means of purification but also held ritual and cosmological significance, acting as a passageway between the living world and the underworld. These structures, often built of stone or adobe, could accommodate many participants by utilizing heated stones to generate steam, reinforcing their communal and spiritual functions.

In modern contexts, temazcales are still in use, with archaeological findings indicating their existence in ancient Maya cities like Chichén Itzá and Palenque, as well as in central Mexican sites such as Teotihuacán and Tlatelolco.

María Leonora discovered the healing power of music at the age of 16, finding solace in punk rock during a tumultuous adolescent period. After learning to play the drums, she made her stage debut, stating, “I was able to transform so many things just by playing and standing in front of an audience. I can honestly say it saved my life.” Over the years, she explored various music genres, culminating in her present work through “Through All the Fire.”

The performances aim to guide audiences from darkness into a state of renewal, as she interprets a diverse array of songs. “Music is a powerful tool that can connect you to Earth, to life, to the universe and to other people,” she stated, emphasizing its significance for self-discovery.

Leonora characterizes her shows as “immersive concerts,” where sound, light, and visuals combine to enhance audience interaction. Producer Diego Cristian Saldaña noted their intention to engage attendees in an emotional journey, creating an atmosphere that allows individuals to connect deeply with the experience.

A young man who attended three of her performances described them as profoundly gratifying, while a woman mentioned feeling invigorated after the show despite entering the venue exhausted. Leonora encourages her audience to actively participate, inviting them to embark on an internal journey.

The ritual aspect of “Through All the Fire” begins with an invitation from Leonora for the audience to cross the “salt circle,” symbolizing a departure from the external world. As the lights provide a warm ambiance, her journey commences with themes of love followed by the grief of a breakup. The performance progresses through deeper emotional layers as she gradually removes her makeup and clothing, culminating in a climactic moment.

“As my character is exhausted, to the ground, it starts to breathe again,” she described, likening the experience to walking through the fire akin to a temazcal. Attendees are encouraged to express themselves by howling or screaming, liberating themselves from their burdens before joyfully singing together. Leonora highlighted the final song as a “first ray of light,” allowing participants to reflect on their past while moving forward toward a brighter future.