By Marla 05.13.2015
Horizontes host, Michael Crockett, aka DJ Canoso, highlights–seven must-see artists at Pachanga Latino Music Festival 2015. For more info on Pachanga and latin music tune into KUTX 98.9 Sundays from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. as Michael brings you the best music of Latin America.
The great thing about Pachanga Fest is that you can easily catch at least half a set from every band that plays due to the proximity of everything at Fiesta Gardens. It’s only a five-minute walk between the three stages so I plan to see every band and you should too. However, I will definitely not miss the following artists (in order of appearance) this year:
Compass: M.I.S. + Toy Selectah– I’m anxious to see what this collaboration between two great DJs produces. Camilo Lara (aka Mexican Institute of Sound) is one of the most entertaining DJs on stage I have ever seen and I love the musical treasures he brings to his turntables. I’ve never seen Toy Selectah before but I’m a fan of his Sonidero Nacional and so many recordings with other artists he has been a part of. I’m also hoping the duo might bring on a guest or two from their upcoming album recorded all over the world with 90 different artists! Listen to their profile and catch their shows below.
Saturday, March 16: MetroPCS Hierba Stage, 3:20 – 3:50 PM
Also performs:
Thursday, March 14: Pachanga Houston
Friday, March 15: Pachanga Dallas
Ceci Bastida– I have seen Ceci Bastidas over the years as the backup singer and keyboardist for fellow Tijuana native Julieta Venegas but it will be a pleasure to finally see her perform her solo work which I hadn’t explored alot until her most recent release La Edad de Violencia (The Age Of Violence). I appreciate the social commentary on this album and I think the music backs it up beautifully. Listen to their profile and catch their shows below.
Saturday, March 16: HEB Pavilion Stage, 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM
Also performs:
Thursday, March 14: Pachanga Houston
Friday, March 15: Pachanga Dallas
Mala Rodríguez– After experiencing the Latin hip-hop of Ana Tijoux one year and Calle 13 the next at Pachanga Fest I can’t help but be curious to see this hip-hop artist from Spain whose song “Quién Manda” (Who’s In Charge) from her latest album Bruja (Witch) has been hard to keep off of my weekly playlists here at KUTX. I also can’t imagine that she won’t be joining Kinky onstage after her set to sing “Negro Dia” with them as she does on their two most recent albums. Listen to their profile and catch their shows below.
Saturday, March 16: MetroPCS Hierba Stage, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Orkesta Mendoza– I get nostalgic for a time in Latin music I’m too young to have experienced when you could dance mambo and cha-cha-cha to a big band led by a Perez Prado or a Xavier Cugat. That’s why it will be such a treat to dance to Sergio Mendoza’s orquesta on the patio in front of the KUTX sponsored stage at Pachanga. Listen to their profile and catch their shows below.
Saturday, March 16: Alt.latino/KUTX Stage, 7:00 PM – 7:45 PM
Kinky– Rain kept us from seeing Kinky at SXSW so I’m glad they are returning to Austin so soon. This electro-rock band from Monterrey has been making great music for 15 years and their latest album of hits, MTV Unplugged (not sure what they unplugged) gives one a taste of how good they are live. Listen to their profile and catch their shows below.
Saturday, March 16: MetroPCS Hierba Stage, 7:45 PM – 9:00 PM
Also performs:
Thursday, March 14: Pachanga Houston
Friday, March 15: Pachanga Dallas
Ximena Sariñana– I fell for this Mexican singer-songwriter’s voice when she released her debut album Mediocre back in 2008 . The album was lyrically and musically imaginative with elements of jazz as well as rock but seductively subdued. Her latest album is much less subdued which will be a good thing for the big outdoor stage she’ll be playing at Pachanga. Listen to their profile and catch their shows below.
Saturday, March 16: HEB Pavilion stage, 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Palenke Soultribe– I will be sorry to have to leave the Ximena Sariñana set but I simply must end my Pachanga Fest partying to the Afro-Colombian, electro-cumbia sounds of Palenke Soultribe. You will quite literally dance your ass off to this band so if you want to burn off some of those tacos and beer you’ve been eating all day, you’ll simply have to stop by here before leaving the festival. Listen to their profile and catch their shows below.
Saturday, March 16: Alt.latino/KUTX Stage, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM
–Michael Crockett
