The 18th Annual Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) is kicking off July 11th-15th in New York City and we’re excited. The renowned conference that began over a decade ago to carve out a space to highlight emerging Latin artists working somewhere outside the mainstream boasts an esteemed list of alumni including Calle 13, Ana Tijoux, Julieta Venegas, Manu Chao and Pitbull to name a few. During its run LAMC has been nicknamed the “Sundance of Latin music,” and become synonymous with where to find the next great up-and-coming act. This year it promises to be as exciting with a slew of great performers, panels and networking events including multiple free concerts. Not sure where to begin? Don’t worry, ‘LLERO’s curated the noteworthy performances, panels and people to check out at this year’s conference.
PERFORMANCES
July 12th
LAMC/Central Park SummerStage Show
5:00 pm@ Rumsey Playfield / Entrance at 72nd & 5th Ave
The conference celebrates its 18th anniversary at Central Park SummerStage with a jam-packed line up including Puerto Rico’s IFE on the heels of their debut album release, Mon Laferte and New York’s own Princess Nokia as headliners. Princess Nokia has been making noise on tour with her electric pro-feminism trap fueled music that pays homage to her Caribbean roots with songs like Brujas and Tomboys.
This event is free and open to the public.
July 14th
LAMC Celebrate Brooklyn Show
6:00pm – 10:00pm @ Prospect Park Bandshell (9th St. and Prospect Park West Entrance)
No conference would be complete without making a pitstop in Brooklyn. LAMC and Celebrate Brooklyn combine forces to sponsor a night that brings the sights and sounds of DJ/Producer Quantic (live), Colombian-Canadian Indie Pop Songstress Tei Shi – fresh on the heels of her debut album release titled Crawl Space and Grammy-nominated Chilean singer Alex Anwandte to the stage. I predict you will be adding a lot of new tunes to your playlists after this show.
This event is free and open to the public.
July 15th
2:00pm – 7:00pm
LAMC/ Central Park SummerStage Show
@ Rumsey Playfield/Entrance at 72nd & 5th Ave.
The conference is gracing us with another change at a free concert with awesome performances. After a day of panels and networking it makes sense you’d need to relax and let loose with some music. With a line up including the reggae-rock rhythms of the Argentinean band Los Pericos, to Los Angeles-bred soul, funk band Chicano Batman to the somber themes from Venezuelan rockers La Vida Boheme there is bound to be something for everyone here.
This event is free and open to the public.
PANELS
Thursday, July 13th
11:30am – 12:45pm
Latin Music in the Digital Age: Where Do We Go from Here?
Technology is constantly changing in the digital age and we live in a time where the success of your music depends a lot on how well you navigate those changes. From discovery to downloading learn what the digital space means to Latin artists from a panel of industry tastemakers representing companies like Spotify, Pandora, Altafonte, The Orchard, Quantic and YouTube. Moderated by Jorge Brea of Symphonic Distribution.
Friday, July 14th
1:00pm – 2:15pm
Producers in The Mix
If you are a music producer or someone aspiring to be one, who better to get advice from than a Grammy-winning professional like Eduardo Cabra (Calle 13)! The Puerto Rico native and formerly half of the duo Calle 13 will be dishing on his career alongside industry pro Carlos Alomar, who has worked with the likes of David Bowie and Soda Stereo. Moderated by Raul Campos of KCRW.
PEOPLE
Murnau Den Linden
Inspired by the pre-Columbian art of Latin America, Murnau Den Linden uses magical realism to explore themes of past and present. The Spanish painter combines his inspiration of Latin America and contemporary music to try to answer the age-old question of “what will become of our civilization?” His most recent venture is a colorful clothing line for food lovers. To see more of his work visit his website here and follow him on Instagram.
For more information on the LAMC schedule and tickets visit www.latinalternative.com.