BARRIO – Let us introduce you to ‘La Banda de Toronto’. Have you been to a Toronto FC game at BMO Field? Specifically Section 114 at Lakeshore Terrace? Truthfully, you don’t even have to be that close. These guys are loud, and not in a bad way. We were at the last home game, and they were super entertaining. The sounds of Argentina at BMO!

OK, so we hope we don’t mess this up LOL. La Banda is made up of 8 drummers. They break down as follows; 3 bombos con platillos (base drum), 2 repiques (type of snare drum from Brazil), 2 zurdos (long bass drum), and 1 regulante (snare drum). I hope I didn’t lose you. We were speaking to Saul and Sebastian. I said, “OK, so basically all drums”… The response, “Ya, but no” LOL. OK let’s move on.

They wanted to make sure we shouted out Lucas Lobo Piatti (that’s our guy btw), Matt Frosinone, and Eli. There would be no Banda at BMO if it wasn’t for them. HUGE thank you from all of us at Barrio. We love these guys.

This is their 2nd season at Toronto FC’s BMO Field, and they have a massive following already. Their ‘Corteo’ (pre-party) is real big, and then, win, lose or draw, they’re celebrating on the way out. Insane, and like I said before, super entertaining. Click here!

Their chants consist of Argentinian murga (a combination of dance and instruments) with English lyrics. It’s truly fascinating to watch and listen to. They bring a hint of Latin America to the games. Saul explains that he feels a sense of pride that the Latin Culture has now been adopted at BMO Field during TFC games…. And we get it too. It gives us the same feeling.

If you’re at the game, we encourage you to check out ‘La Banda’ at section 114. You can’t miss them. Tell them, Barrio sent you!

You can also catch them at Soccer Festival Toronto this summer at Downsview Park!

(Posted April 25, 2023)