With more than 50 local and international artists taking to three stages, Bogotá’s Parque 222 will open its doors from March 10-12 to Estéreo Picnic 2016 for what promises to be a truly unique musical experience.
For its seventh edition, Estéreo Picnic will delight its loyal followers and newcomers with a first-class line up. You probably already know about the big guns: Florence + The Machine, Mumford & Sons, Snoop Dogg, Flaming Lips, Noel Gallagher, Kygo, Tame Impala, Alabama Shakes, and the rest.
But who are the Colombian bands who will be sharing the stage with these greats and proudly representing the country? Here’s a small selection of the groups to look out for, suitable for all tastes…
An eccentric and lively mix of rock, jazz, hip hop and a touch of soul will take over the Tigo Music stage at 6.30pm on Saturday March 12, as the city’s own Los Petit Fellas make their second appearance at Estéreo Picnic.
Going on stage just before Alabama Shakes, Oh’laville will be presenting their first album, Pedazos de papel, at 6.45pm on Thursday March 11. These bogotano rockers will hope to prove a crowd pleaser with songs like ‘Cielo’.
Nelda Piña y La Boa
Lovers of folklore
Dubbed the ‘inventors of gothic cumbia’ by MTV Iggy, La MiniTK Del Miedo transcend electro/tropical fusion music. This artistic collective, which aims to showcase the essence of Colombia, will be on the Pepsi Music stage at 10.30pm on Thursday March 10.
The following day will see Los Pirañas take over the same stage at 5.15pm, with their own brand of music that pays homage to cumbia, including synthesisers and industrial sounds.
The other big name in Colombian traditional music to visit the festival is Nelda Piña y La Boa with the Bogotá Orquesta Afrobeat. The powerful and enchanting voice of Nelda Piña, from the marshes of the Bolivar department, fuses seamlessly with the psychedelic rhythms of the band – using a mix of champeta, afrobeat, dub, bullerengue and funk. See them at 4.15pm on Saturday.
MNKYBSNSS live on stage
Beats
Gabriela Jimeno, better known as ELA Minus, is a Bogotana who started a solo career which explores electronic beats, adding in her distinctive voice. Her performance starts at 9.15pm on the opening day of the festival.
Related – From little picnic to Bogotá’s biggest music festival
The New Yorker of Colombian roots, Gabriel Montano, comes to delight his countryfolk with his album Bishouné: Alma de Huila. This singer-songwriter, who oscillates between jazz and R&B sounds, takes to the Pepsi Music stage at 7.45pm on Saturday.
Barranquilla duo MNKYBSNSS come to the capital with their electronic stylings accompanied by guitars, creating an energetic bluesy sound infused with deep house. Kike and Mono will be on the Huawei stage at 9.15pm on the final day.
Colombian reggae band Tarmac
Ska addicts
‘The oldies are the best’ is certainly something that rings true for 1280 Almas, who have been pleasing audiences since the early 90s with their own brand of ska punk and rock with Latin touches. Be sure to have a listen at 5.45pm on Thursday.
National reggae gets some airtime with Tarmac, who take to the stage at 3.15pm on Friday for a show filled with new roots, dancehall and raggamuffin.
There are of course plenty of other local bands taking to the stage, so don’t miss the chance to check out some groups that may just surprise you.
Tickets are still available from tuboleta.com, at $265,000 for individual days and $735,000 for all three.
By Linda Gómez