🏢 State of the Art: Festival Detonante, Echoes of BIME, La Onda, and more...
Uniting Hearts, Minds and Communities Through the Power of Festivals
In a world where culture breathes life into communities, festivals and gatherings are the heartbeat. From the bustling streets of Quibdó to the lush vineyards of Napa Valley, each festival is a testament to the power of art, music, and human connection. They are not just events; they are movements that capture the essence of creativity, transforming cities into stages where dreams and realities converge. Here’s a brief roundup with some of the most relevant festivals we’re keeping an eye on for the coming months:
Festival Detonante (Quibdó, Colombia)
This annual gathering in brings together over 5,000 people to celebrate life, talent, and the rich cultural heritage of the Colombian Pacific region. For the past nine years, Festival Detonante has embarked on a mission to strengthen the social fabric of Quibdó. The festival nurtures social and environmental leaders, visionary entrepreneurs, cultural managers, and artistic talents. It serves as a vibrant public forum, celebrating the creativity and resilience of the city’s community.
This year's festival, taking place on May 23 and 24, promises a rich array of activities designed to foster creativity, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. Selected artists will conclude their artistic residency with a grand concert at the malecón. This event will showcase the culmination of their creative endeavors.
The Entrepreneurship Fair, supported by UN Women and SENA, will spotlight 25 dynamic women-led businesses. These entrepreneurs will engage with local business leaders and strategic allies, sparking an exchange of best practices and valuable local perspectives. Meanwhile, Progresa Chocó will hold its inaugural collective construction meeting. This visionary civil society organization aims to transform Chocó into a thriving hub of opportunities and sustainability by 2050, driving significant impact and fostering a prosperous, equitable future for the region.
The festival's academic component will take shape in a Cultural Lab, where artists and experts in dance, music, design, and cultural management will share their knowledge. This initiative is designed to enhance the creative processes of local projects and help them gain global recognition.
The closing concert will be the highlight of the festival, featuring 165 artists who have participated in a comprehensive strengthening process. Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Knowledge, the British Council and Llorona Records, this event will showcase headliners such as Dawer x Damper and Los Dioses del Ritmo , alongside international guests like Karen Nyame KG and Hagan from the UK, as well as local talents like Las Prietas, Axl Evans V's, and Robbie Vida.
Echoes of BIME: Celebrating the Pulse of Latin American Music
As it was reported a couple weeks ago on this tribune, BIME Bogotá once again proved itself to be a beacon for the music industry in Latin America and beyond. BIME is a celebration of live music, industry insights, future trends, and innovative entrepreneurship. This year's event brought together artists, industry professionals, and fans from over 30 countries, transforming Bogotá into a thriving hub of creativity and collaboration. With over 2,500 attendees and participation from 1,140 companies, the event was a melting pot of ideas and opportunities. The conference featured 38 panels, 12 masterclasses, and 14 workshops, providing a rich tapestry of knowledge and inspiration. Moreover, the event hosted 700 official speedmeetings between artists and industry professionals alike, and forged more than 50 partnerships with relevant entities, cementing its role as a critical music networking platform.
The showcases were also a reflection of BIME’s commitment to diversity, featuring 62 performances from artists representing 14 countries. Over 5,000 attendees flocked to BIME Live, experiencing the pulsating energy of live performances across six different venues. These showcases not only highlighted the rich cultural diversity of the participating artists, but also underscored the universal language of music.
For those who wish to revisit the insightful discussions and performances, BIME Bogotá published a comprehensive aftermovie and the ability to rewatch favorite panels through its web platform and app. This feature ensures that the knowledge and inspiration from the event continue to resonate long after its ending.
La Onda Festival (Napa Valley, California)
A decade after its inception, Bottle Rock in Napa Valley has a new sibling: La Onda Festival. This June 1-2, La Onda will deliver a celebration of Latin culture with headliners like Maná, Fuerza Regida, Alejandro Fernández, and Junior H. Set in the heart of California’s wine country, this two-day event promises an eclectic mix of pop, rock, cumbia, and regional Mexican music across three stages.
With 70,000 attendees expected, La Onda taps into a vibrant Latino community long overdue for a festival of this scale in Northern California. Latitude 38 Entertainment, the brains behind Bottle Rock, aims to replicate its success, transforming Napa into a haven for Latin music, food, and culture, by emulating the same high-energy, top-tier production style that made Bottle Rock a hit.
Festival Joropo al Parque (Bogotá, Colombia)
Mark your calendars for June 14-16 as Bogotá comes alive with the vibrant sounds of Joropo al Parque at the iconic Plaza de Bolívar. This year's festival, themed around "Cantos de Trabajo del Llano", celebrates the soulful work songs of the plains, recently recognized as Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
For the moment there haven’t been any headlining performances announced, but the local auditions took place a few weeks ago, and eight talented groups have been awarded a 5.5 million Colombian peso (around 1.4K USD) stimulus to perform. These projects include "El Arpa en Tradición," "Agrupación Catire Acevedo," and "Onda Nueva Llanera." The ensembles promise to deliver an unforgettable showcase of joropo music, blending tradition with modern flair.
The festival, organized by the Instituto Distrital de las Artes (IDARTES), highlights the city’s commitment to honoring and promoting cultural diversity. This free event offers an opportunity for audiences to immerse themselves in the rich traditions of Colombia’s Eastern Flats and frontiers with Venezuela. From its passionate tap dances to the heartfelt harp melodies, Joropo al Parque has certainly been consolidating itself as a well grounded celebration of Colombia’s musical heritage.
Festival Cordillera Announces its Lineup
Last but not least, this September Bogotá's Parque Simón Bolívar will pulse with the soul of Iberoamerica. Festival Cordillera returns on the 14th and 15th, with a heavily stacked lineup. Announced with great anticipation, this year’s headliner is the legendary Juan Luis Guerra, whose presence alone would make the festival unmissable.
But that's just the beginning. Joining him are iconic acts in the region like Fito Páez, Hombres G, Fonseca, Molotov, and Vilma Palma e Vampiros. It's a celebration that spans from the nostalgic hits of yesteryears to the freshest sounds of today, with a wide array of performances that promise to resonate with the entire crowd.
As we look back on these celebrations, we witness the birth of new ideas, the forging of unbreakable bonds, and the unwavering spirit of communities united by their love for art. Whether it's the rich heritage of the Colombian Pacific, the celebration of Latin culture in Napa Valley, or the soul-stirring sounds of joropo in Bogotá, these festivals remind us that through art, we find our common ground and our most profound expressions of humanity.
Stay tuned as we’ll be posting a lot more insights and fresh music lists in the course of the coming weeks.
Until next time, keep the rhythm alive!
Marco Pisciotti
Music enthusiast & content creator
Villa de Leyva, CO May 23rd, 2024