a home away from home: cuco in nyc

All photos shot and edited by Lucas Umana

Speckled in the glitter of a disco ball, neon lights cascading onto the shoulders of his rose stamped Jacket, and reflecting the gold on his fingers that wrapped the neck of his guitar, Omar Banos, known as Cuco, looked like a rockstar. However, on Friday night, NYC’s Terminal 5 Concert wasn’t about the man on stage. 

On his aptly titled world tour: “Cuco, 4 U”, The 26-year-old created a bond with his audience, focusing on fan experience and transforming the 3 story venue into what felt like the living room of a house show. This was for them. 

The Mexican American singer, known for his songs in both English and Spanish, was coined as one of the pioneer “bedroom pop” artists along the likes of Clairo and Still Woozy - self recording and producing chill, soft tracks from his childhood home. 

Since his 2016 release “iwannabewithu”, which later became a popular tiktok audio, Cuco has diversified his sound with each album, leaning heavily into guitar riffs, indie pop, and experimenting with psychedelia. 

Leading up to the show, Terminal 5 was wrapped in a bow of fans, many wearing merch from previous tours, and most brandishing black x’s on the backs of their hands (no drinks allowed). 

The young crowd stood with a quiet energy of nervous excitement; speaking softly with their friends and snacking on food purchased off of street vendors. That is, until security moved the stanchions. 

Without warning, A flood of teenagers and young adults stampeded the entrance doors, releasing yelps of pent up emotion and disrupting the previously respected arrivals of the fans in front of them. It felt out of character, out of expectation. Juvenile. Apologies quickly began and a semblance of order returned, although a little less strict, as security quickly reset their lines.

This sporadic release and recapture of energy continued into the venue, “NO RUNNING” was shouted more than a few times as the trickly of fans raced past merch lines and bathroom doors to ensure their place at the front of the pit. It felt as though the final bell had rang, and students were heading for summer. 

As the venue filled the crowd played marco polo, chanted requests for their favorite songs, and even cheered along to a dramatic fight scene from Game of Thrones that had been pulled up on an iphone and thrust into the air for all to see. 

It seemed all earlier apologies had been accepted.

It was time for the show to begin. House lights down, spotlights on, the intro to “Ego Death in Thailand” began.

Debuting two new tracks from his untitled upcoming album, “My .45” AND “Razon”, Cuco fed fans who have been eagerly awaiting fresh material since his last album, Fantasy Gateway,  in 2022. 

Throughout the night, fans who had waited for as long as 11 hours before the venue doors opened handed roses, gifts, art, Mexican flags, plushies, posters and more to the artist who took time between songs to sign each one. The crowd helped each other as they passed the items back to their original owners, some all the way atop the 3rd balcony.

Eventually a shrine began to emerge propped against the keyboard players equipment, including a sign that read, “NYC LOVES CUCO”, which had been signed by hundreds of fans. 

“NYC always makes me feel like home… every time I'm here, I feel like I’m playing my hometown show,” Cuco promised the crowd more than once. 

The room felt light and fun. Sound effects and silly guitar riffs were common. Band members frequently flashed smiles and a prompt *ba dum tss* from the drummer would always play when a joke was made. As a multi-instrumentalist, the crowd erupted each time Cuco reached for his trumpet. 

Cuco spoke often and candidly. His expressions of gratitude as sincere as his requests for action from the crowd. About halfway through the show, a young girl became sick. Cuco immediately paused, asked the crowd to create space, and after realizing there was no staff around to do so - hopped off stage and began passing out water bottles himself. 

There was no teasing on if his new album is done (it is). He asked fans specific questions and had individual conversations as far back in the crowd as his voice could reach. 

All of this, before sharing a smirk with his bandmates and kicking off the next track.

“Lo Que Siento” his 2018 hit, was a fan favorite, the lyrics echoing from each mouth. 

With lyrical themes of mental health, heartbreak, anxiety, and love, fans expressed an overwhelming connection and gratitude to his music. Couples swayed holding hands, friends helped each other hold up their signs, and barricade fans looked mesmerized as they sang every word. 

During a particularly special interaction, Cuco brought attention to a fan who held a poster sharing they have gone 300 days without self harming. A moment was taken to congratulate this fan, and Cuco shared that his 2.5 year sobriety anniversary took place in September of this year.

The night felt more like a meet and greet than a concert. It was everyone’s turn to be heard, everyone had their backstage pass. It is evident that Cuco has created more than good music, but a family built on shared emotions, energy, and culture.