Live Review: El Gran Combo Puerto Rico, El Barrio

If you're going to see some salsa, then why not choose the best? With 150 million in album sales, and two Latin Grammys, El Gran Combo are possibly Puerto Rico's greatest export, or at least the longest standing, having grooved up dancefloors across the world for the last 50 years.

Tonight the Palace is a place of worship, with possibly Melbourne's entire Puerto Rican community here, though also a healthy dose of Central and South American compatriots. El Gran Combo Puerto Rico aren't merely another band, they're an institution, and many here tonight have grown up with their music.

The evening begins with local salsa dura band, El Barrio, who immediately whip up the crowd's anticipation with their accompanying dancers and percussive interplay. It sounds great, but everyone's distracted as above the stage on a video screen there's a photo of a bunch of aging Puerto Ricans in matching suits. It doesn't feel like a gig per se, more a celebration of culture. A world champion salsa dancer comes and goes, leaving us with the memory of a glittery gold suit, a large smile and a flurry of physicality.

Then the DJ is turned down purposely, the crowd begin to hoot and an advertisement for the Australia Salsa Open appears above the stage. Quickly though the video moves to El Gran Combo Puerto Rico, flashing up images of iPods, turntables, eight-track cartridges and inspirational figures from the past. Although it's in Español, the gist is clear. Even during this last half-century of change; one thing has remained a constant.

And suddenly we're all screaming as the old guys amble onto the stage with beatific grins that say they're under no misapprehension about what's about to happen: Pure unadulterated salsa heaven. This is the source. For oldies they've got stamina, the three singers in particular – Jerry Rivas, Charlie Aponte and Papo Rosario – don't stop moving, pulling kitsch stage moves, gliding from side to side, twirling and dancing in unison. It should be kitsch, or would be in other hands, but for these guys it just demonstrates how well honed they are – they can do this in their sleep.

Very quickly the floor is shaking as couples everywhere are twirling around excitedly, many barely watching the stage. Over the next two hours the combo just does what they do best: the musicianship is seamless, the percussion amazing and the banter between songs – almost entirely in Spanish – induces hysterics. Bodies are going everywhere. People are getting photos taken with the band in the background. They want to prove they were here. Others are singing along in near hysterical ecstasy. It's crazy. But then that's what happens when you get close to the source.