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Experience the soul of the Afro Colombian bullerengue tradition as master Colombian percussionist and vocalist Álvaro Llerena Martínez joins forces with London-based collective Akolá Tambó for an extraordinary show

A master drummer and cultural bearer, Álvaro is the son of legendary singer Petrona Martínez, known as the queen of bullerengue, and a key figure in preserving the ancestral sounds of Colombia’s Caribbean coast.

In this rare collaboration with Akolá Tambó -the UK’s first bullerengue group- they’ll share the deep roots and rhythms of this powerful tradition. Come connect to the drum and get ready to get your soul and body moving.

13th June @ The Jam Jar, Bristol 

14th June @ Unit 58, London

20th June @ The Rose Hill Tavern, Brighton 

Experience live mariachi, sonidero beats, dance performances, games, workshops, piñatas, and a vibrant Mexican market filled with art, crafts, and the best Mexican street food in London! 🌮🎶

More than a festival, this is a celebration of strength, unity, and tradition—because the Mexican spirit never gives up! 💃🏽🔥

🔥 Don’t miss the Cumbia, Mi Amor Fiesta! 📅 Sunday 4 May – 7PM

🎟 Tickets via DICE, RA, Eventbrite

📍 4-5 May (bank holiday) | Hackney Bridge🌞 FREE Come for the culture, stay for the comunidad!

💪 Proudly supported by Chili Maven & Sweet Nibble UK 

Spanish vocals and cuatro (a typical Andean stringed instrument) give their music a traditional colour that makes you instantly travel far away. Percussions and electric bass mingle together in a perfect acoustic-electric contrast, whilst the electric guitar and its many effects give a psychedelic touch.

This year the band will return with their third album, ‘La Autopista del Éxito’. With their irresistible mix of psychedelic cumbia and retro tropical rhythms, they promise us a new musical journey aboard their time machine and cross continents.

Following their first two critically acclaimed albums, Passion Coco seem ready to conquer new horizons with this album. Visit the highway for a trip that promises to be as exotic as it is memorable. Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to groove!

26th MARCH – PAPER DRESS VINTAGE, LONDON

28th MARCH – THE JAM JAR, BRISTOL

29th MARCH – MOUNT PLEASANT ECO PARK, CORNWALL

Passion Coco – Blue Hotel

Passion Coco – Tiburon

Once again at the unique Carpet Shop in Peckham the 18 Jan AND the night before, 17 Jan we are adding a Bristol debut at the one and only Jam Jar. 🤩🤯

Get ready for an unforgettable night of infectious Afro-Caribbean dance beats and to immerse yourself in the heart and soul of Colombian ‘Picotero’ soundsystem culture with international special guests, who have both been prominent in championing the Picó music and culture in Europe. More info here.

…Thanks to all the incredible acts and djs that came through (so many notable debuts including Verito Asprilla, Mitú and Romperayo (twice!)) and all the venues and partners who helped make all this possible … we aim to spotlight the underrepresented sounds from Latin America, the diaspora, and beyond and will continue the mission into our 20th anniversary year in 2025!

We are shattered and heartbroken to share the news that Raymi Willka, the son of our dear friends from the group Lokandes has left this earth. His loss will be felt deeply in the Latin American community as well as the wider musical community. He had been playing alongside his parents for some time as Sagrada Familia and only just last month played with Lokandes at the Jazz Cafe. He had been the recipient of multiple youth music awards, and undoubtedly, a great future awaited.
All our love and support goes out to his parents Kanti and Phaxsi Coca in these testing times. Here is the crowdfunder link to support them financilly at this moment.

Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto is one of the most important gaita and traditional cumbia ensembles in Colombia since the mid-1950s. They return to London for a very special one off show as part of their European tour this Autumn. As LATIN GRAMMY WINNERS, for best traditional album ‘Un Fuego de Sangre Pura’, and Latin Grammy Nominated for Best Traditional Album 2020, they have persisted through several generations of musicians and the group provides a crucial link between traditional gaita & cumbia music and its contemporary renewal.  More info here.

November will see 2 days of the most incredible Mexican celebration Día de Muertos, a community celebration of life: the biggest festival of the Day of the Dead in Europe, this year taking Mexico’s Monarch butterfly, known to transport the souls of our ancestors as the central point of inspiration.

🇲🇽 Expect: Culture, live music, Mexican street market, children & adults’ workshops, art, crafts, design, face painting, dance and many other great surprises.

The group’s fusion of Afro-Caribbean rhythms and electronic beats have long been a staple of our dance floors over the years and now we can finally experience the magic live.

Their musical-visual shows have been developed with their own style that they call “Berbenautika”, inspired by the tradition of pikós (sound systems) and the verbena (popular festival). They recreate La Cumbia, El Fandango, La Champeta, El Bullerengue among others, mixing them through electronic tools with rhythms and cultural styles such as Hip Hop, House, Techno, Break beats, Scratching and live video.

We cannot think of a better space to present the full audio visual experience than the wonderful Village Underground in the heart of East London. This is one for the books!