Festival Review: LAMC Brings The Showcases, Shows, and Stars (Part 2)
LAMC, Latin American Music Conference, is one of the my favorite events of the year for multiple reasons. The first is that, as a Latina, it makes me feel at home in my country: America. Although I am American, at times, if you are not white, you are automatically seen as exotic or less. At LAMC, we were worlds of cultures, accomplishments, hopes, and, above all, musics. It was a space where Latinx could feel like the future was promising while acknowledging the past and present have not been easy for us.
From S.O.B’s to Drom, LAMC took over various venues for showcases that had ME LIT!!!!!!!!! Although I knew many artists, I did not know all. Hence, there was never a loss of introduction or education. From Argentina to Puerto Rico, every Latin ethnicity and history felt represented by the beauty of song. Whether artists got political or theatrical, the point is they were always rooted in a culture that combines the mysticism of heaven with the passion of earth. Hence, it was hard not to move around New York like a chess-piece with no place on the board; you simply wanted to check-mate every act you could find.
Sol Escobar, Nathy Peluso, iLe, and Silvina Moreno dominated LAMC for me. What can I say? I will always support my Latinas (lol!). Yet, they amplified the theatricality and spirituality of modern Latin music. For them, it is about making a soul a spectacle; transferring matters of the heart into a potent production. Still, Los Rivera Destino, Club Del Rio, Jona Camacho, and Guaynaa were amongst my favorite performances for their ability to show the many layers or romanticism in Latin Music. Whether a song asks you to “get down” or get lifted, every track demands connection between partners, which I discussed in my LAMC/ Summerstage reviews.
Overall, every show of the LAMC was invigorating. Electricity pulsed, and made music feel what it should always be: access. One should feel like a door to their body, mind, heart, and soul has been opened and whether you rocked on with Enjambre or sang with Vicente Garcia, which I CERTAINLY DID IN FULL VOICE!, there were always sentiments of fun appreciation. LAMC is not kidding when it presents a week full of thankfulness for Latin Music: a tool resilience and richness for our people. This could be why it has been for twenty years and will be for twenty years more. For More Information On LAMC Click Here.
