šCoachella 2024: Son Rompe Pera, Vampire Weekend and More
Unearthing Hidden Gems and Discovering New Musical Marvels
As itās become usual during this time of year, the Coachella Valley Festival presented a vibrant 2-weekend feast of music, culture, and spectacle, showcasing a diverse array of talent from around the planet. While the spotlight naturally gravitated towards mainstream acts and headline performances, the YouTube livestream was integral, and there were a few gems and unexpected delights waiting to be discovered.
One such case was the performance by Kevin Kaarl of Chihuahua, Mexico. Kaarl had recently toured countries such Colombia and Chile, and this performance at Coachella clearly continues to pave his way has one of the regionās top notch singer-songwriters.
On the other hand Son Rompe Pera brought the frenzy to the stage with their blend of traditional cumbia rhythms, elements of rock, punk and ska, all anchored by the iconic sound of the marimba. The appearance was quite an unprecedented one, given that itās a relatively unkown project, and the last I had heard from them was when they were promoting their shows at medium-sized local venues in BogotĆ” like Teatro La LibĆ©lula Dorada, and more recently at Festival Centro. Based on what a friend told me during the weekend, I understand that this was more of a home-run move executed by the bandās management, which of course doesnāt take merit away from their great artistic talent, and to the contrary it amplifies this as one of the regionās most solid current projects.
Unfortunately the footage of their show at Coachella is hard to find, but hereās their NPR Tiny Desk performance: a piece which I didnāt even know existed, and makes me think that these guys were bigger than I imagined:
On the main stages, the festival dazzled with performances by industry heavyweights like J Balvin, DJ Snake, Peso Pluma and Bizarrap. While these acts undoubtedly drew massive crowds and commanded attention, there was concern among some observers about the homogenization of Latin American culture in the mainstream spotlight. The absence of more cutting-edge and alternative voices raised questions about the direction of the music industry, and the balance between commercial success and artistic integrity.
Amidst the glitz and glamour, Coachella also provided a platform for seasoned rock and pop bands that Iāve been a fan of for years, to showcase their enduring talent. From the infectious energy of Blur to the melodic charm of The Drums, these performances offered a nostalgic trip down memory lane for longtime fans and a chance to rediscover old favorites. However, it was the unexpected appearance of New York-based band Vampire Weekend that stole the show for many attendees and online viewers.
Vampire Weekend's set began with a few of their softer hits such as āHolidayā, followed by the more recent mainstream releases, which I personally find boring and cringey. However just when I was about to change the channel, the mighty culmination of the show began, and I was stuck to the screen from there on until the end. Firstly they played the unavoidable and still powerful hit songs āCousinsā and āA-Punkā. But more importantly though, for their last number the band unraveled a brand new 12-minute epic live experiment called "Cocaine Cowboys". This one was a totally unexpected work of art, and a testament to the band's musical evolution and willingness to push boundaries. Incorporating elements of classic rock and Americana, snippets of songs by the Grateful Dead, Phish and others, the medley transported audiences on a sonic journey unlike anything else at the festival. Not to mention the fact that the entertainment was abundant, with prominent figures such as Paris Hilton and former president of the US Abraham Lincoln taking part in the performanceās āGold Rushā section, which consisted of participating in a ball game and giving out gold bars to the public.
In a nutshell, this was by far the biggest musical highlight of the festival, and definitely a reminder that even in a sea of mainstream acts, there is still room for innovation and creativity. The performance has created a massive buzz online, and there are already T-Shirts for sale in the bandās subreddit.
Hereās the footage from the first rendition of the piece, which was in the Austin Texas Eclipse Show a few weeks ago:
Other performances that stood out at Coachella were the ones by Blxst, Jon Batiste, and Jungle, each bringing their own groovy and unique flair to the stages. Mexican powerhouses LATIN MAFIA and CarĆn Leon also left a lasting impression.
In conclusion, the pulsating energy of Coachella Valley Festival once again ignited the passion of music enthusiasts worldwide, transcending borders and genres despite its glossy pop culture brand. From the exhilarating performances by emerging artists like Kevin Kaarl and Son Rompe Pera to the shows brought forth by industry heavyweights such as J Balvin and Vampire Weekend, the event remains a very relevant showcase of contemporary and alternative music, as well as a continuous reference for emerging festivals in Latin-America and elsewhere.
For the time being thatās all folks. Stay tuned for more updates, playlists, and insider bullets coming your way.
PS: The New Music Vault that was promised on the previous piece was postponed, and will be published in the course of this week.
Until next time, keep the rhythm alive!
Marco Pisciotti
Music enthusiast & content creator
BogotĆ”, Colombia. April 22nd, 2024.