Day 3 is always chock-full of panels and artist interviews in the day with almost no respite before the music begins early evening, starting at the acoustic showcase at SoHo’s world-famous SOB’s and then the LAMC showcase at The Gramercy Theatre, presentation of the Discovery award and music until the wee hours of the morning.
The acoustic showcase is a great opportunity to strip any pretense and gimmicks bare and pay attention to the true musicality across the many genres of Latin Alternative — no exception tonight with performances by El Mato a Un Policia Motorizado, Esteman, Danay Suarez, Ana Tijoux, AJ Davila, Sante Les Amis, and Caloncho.
It’s a nice palette cleanse and aperitif before the more raucous presentation at the main showcase.
Over at The Grammercy, Cuban chanteuse Diana Fuentes opened the show, followed by the Colombian pop of Esteman, and then beats and rhymes of Milkman got the crowd moving.
But it may have been The Wookies out of Mexico City, their live cutting and splicing of dance and Electronica which stole the show.
AJ Davila’s solo work continues to skirt the aggressive garage rock of his former Puerto Rican group Davila 666, but peppers in other styles and genres. He was awarded this year’s LAMC Discovery Award, and the goodies that go along with it, following his set. Mexico’s Los Macuanos signature electronic sound closed out the show.
Famished from a long day and night we hit a couple of pizza joints to sample multiple slices as recommended by our guide — had to try both a New York Red and a New York White.
Lesson Learned: Never settle for convenience when sampling each, every sensation from your taste buds to your soul will thank you.
— Brent Gordon