11 Standout Performances at 2023 Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC)
Entertainment
The multi-day event featured performances by Trueno, Juanes, Pedro Capó, Gale, Villano Antillano and more.
Trueno performs at the 2023 Latin Alternative Music Conference / SummerStage in New York.
Karlo X. Ramos
The Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) continues to display its curatorial skills for highlighting excellent Ibero-American music, and this year was no exception. For five consecutive days, from Tuesday to Saturday (July 11-15), the conference and concert series featured a variety of established Latin stars and luminary newcomers, and even some history in the making (with Juanes’ drawing “excessive crowds” at SummerStage).
Attendees reveled in an array of Spanish-language music spanning from Latin hip-hop to indie rock and reggaetón. Exciting acts arrived to Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield on Wednesday (July 12) and Saturday (July 15), such as Puerto Rican rapper Villano Antillano, Colombian rockstar Juanes, Argentinian wordsmith Trueno, corridos trio Conexión Divina, and Colombian duo Dawer x Damper. S.O.B.s once again held the LAMC’s acoustic showcase, featuring Sofía Campos, Boza, Gus Vázquez and more; and DROM hosted multiple days of shows with its Sony, Warner, BMI, and Indie showcases in the East Village. Performers included Elena Rose, Circo, Ramona, Royal Lobos and more.
During the day, the LAMC hosted a wide variety of panels, with topics like “The State of Latin Music,” “Streaming and Marketing Your Music,” “The Sonic Boom of Latin Touring,” and “Women in Front of and Behind the Scenes of the New Latin Music Explosion.”
For this list, Billboard Español rounds up some of the most standout performances of the series, featuring Beéle, Ramon Vega, Elena Rose, Gale, Dawer x Damper and more, in alphabetical order.
Beéle
Image Credit: Karlo X. Ramos
On Tuesday night (July 11) at DROM, the Barranquilla, Colombian performer arrived to the stage rocking a pink pixie cut, matching Louis Vuitton shoes, and a white sporty getup. “Esta es mi primera vez cantando aquí y la energía se siente increíble,” he said, which translates in English to, “This is my first time singing here and the energy feels amazing.” He won the crowd over with his sultry fusion of reggae and Afrobeats, with a dancehall lilt, singing songs like “Si Te Interesa” and “Ella (Remix).” He also busted out some occasional cool dance moves.
Boza
Image Credit: Karlo X. Ramos
On Thursday (July 13) at S.O.B.s, Boza showcased his lyrical skills in a stripped-down fashion that really drew the crowd in. With just a guitar and his voice, that was simply enough to make a lasting impression, as the Peruvian MC — who rocked cornrows and a lime green outfit — serenaded eager fans. “Y cuando me besa me pone bien loco,” he crooned.
Dawer x Damper
Image Credit: Karlo X. Ramos
Although their set was cut short due to rain, Dawer x Damper’s 20-minute performance was the perfect opener to kick off the night at SummerStage on Saturday (July 15). Their onstage chemistry and performance was lively, testifying why they won this year’s Discovery Award at LAMC. Their mid-tempo raps set over sparse beats invigorated, tinged with orchestral elements and influences of Colombia’s Pacific Coast. They were clearly having a blast stage, which set a precedent for the night.
Elena Rose
Image Credit: Karlo X. Ramos
Elena Rose has established herself as one of the most sought-after composers, penning songs for Latin pop stars like Paloma Mami, Noriel, and Emilia Mernes. This time at DROM on July 14, the Venezuelan-American act arrived to the stage a full-fledged star, with that powerful voice and a femme fatale look to admire. At times she echoed a Jessica Rabbit vibe — but with platinum blonde hair — moving across the stage with a languid and sultry demeanor, singing songs of love and heartbreak, never shying away from her vulnerability. A highlight song was “Bayamón” which samples Sister Nancy’s seminal “Bam Bam” but with a subtle reggaetón thump. She also premiered a new song “Limonadita Fresca” that’s due out later this month.
Gale
Image Credit: Karlo X. Ramos
Gale and her band channeled the riotous girl-band era of the ‘90s with a pop twist. With powerful drumming and screeching guitars, as well as her captivating diva-like pipes that ran through emotional highs and lows, the Puerto Rican star stole the show on Tuesday night (July 7). She performed songs like “D Pic” — “I can see why she shares songwriting credits with Shakira,” said a concert-goer — and even did a stripped-down version of Bad Bunny’s “Yonaguni.”
Juanes
Image Credit: Karlo X. Ramos
Hands down, Juanes’ headlining show at SummerStage on Wednesday (July 12) was one of the most exhilarating of the LAMC series this year, and beyond — despite only getting to perform a mere two songs. Gathering about 17 thousand fans in total, 5,000 inside and 12,000 outside (who didn’t make it in), the crowds were very eager to see the Colombian rockstar perform songs from his latest album, Vida Cotidiana, for the first time in the U.S. He opened up with “Gris,” a riveting and introspective indie rock jam that is the leading single of his newest album. He smoothly and expertly transitioned to “Mala Gente” with riveting guitar licks. After the song ended, the police stepped on stage and stopped the concert to the shock of everyone due to “excessive crowds,” making history at SummerStage.
K-efe
Image Credit: Karlo X. Ramos
K-efe was one of the exciting musical discoveries of this year at LAMC. Donning a fishnet silvery dress, the Chilean singer brought her neo soul vibes in the spirit of Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill at S.O.B.s on Thursday (July 13). With a sultry mix of hip-hop, R&B and Latin folk, the singer/producer captivated the crowd with that stunner of a voice.
Pedro Capó
Image Credit: Karlo X. Ramos
On Tuesday (July 11) at midnight, Pedro Capó hit the stage at DROM to a lit crowd with incredible high energy. Flamboyant and wildly entertaining, the Puerto Rican artist was backed by a full band that further amplified his Latin pop repertoire. There was also a big moment when he lent the mic to his female bandmate who delivered an incredible rap flow.
Ramon Vega
Image Credit: Karlo X. Ramos
Singer-songwriter Ramon Vega charmed the crowd at DROM (July 11) with his lively mix of pop and regional Mexican music. Hailing from Obregón, Sonora, the Mexican newcomer spanned songs such as “Me Vale Madre” (“con mucho cariño y mucho respeto,” he said) and also premiered a new song “Desanimado” which drops on July 27, featuring Christian Nodal. He often spoke with the crowd, and made them laugh with a bit of self-deprecating humor. “Van a decir que mexicano tan grosero,” he chuckled as he introduced another song with some lyrical profanity. His guitarist also left a lasting impression who was equipped with rock riffage.
Trueno
Image Credit: Karlo X. Ramos
The five elements of hip-hop were present in Trueno’s headlining set at SummerStage in Central Park on Saturday (July 15). As one of the most riveting MCs in the game of Spanish-language rap, the Argentine wordsmith was packing loads of metaphors and punchlines, and paid homage to the golden era of hip-hop. He brought a Batalla de los Gallos battle rap vibe by showcasing his impressive lyrical delivery. He also did a rendition of the “Ten Crack Commandments” by Biggie Smalls, rapping over the staple beat.
Villano Antillano
Image Credit: Karlo X. Ramos
Villano Antillano never missed a beat. “Seguimos con mucho reggaetón y mucha mariconía porque eso es lo que yo traigo,” she slyly said, which translates in English to, “We continue with a lot of reggaetón and a lot of fa–otry because that’s what I bring”). She showcased her lyrical mastery, and it makes sense why she looks up to Nicki Minaj. “I feel sexier listening to her,” said a concert-goer nearby. Although relatively new within mainstream Latin pop, it was evident that the Puerto Rican artist has been rapping clearly for over 15 years, with complete breathing control, clean delivery and wicked wordplay. iLe also made a surprise appearance.
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