What’s happening (September and beyond)?

The Day of the Dead is already rearing its celebratory head as autumn approaches. We’ll look at what Movimientos has in store to mark its 20th anniversary, along with a few other notable events taking place in the UK and the US.

Balimaya Project at the Barbican, 27th September

Oh to be in London, now that Balimaya’s here. Alas, I cannot be, but you fortunate Londoners can. I haven’t had a chance to listen to let alone review the new Balimaya Project, Calima, a collaboration with Colombia’s Discos Pacífico All Stars and a musical meeting of the Pacific coast with London’s thriving contemporary jazz scene. The Anglo-Colombian outfit will be marking the launch of the new album on vinyl at the Barbican Centre on Saturday 27th of this month, with special guest Rokia Koné. Be expectant, be very expectant! It should be a great show. Here’s what you can look forward to…

Mitú at the MOTH Club, 27th September

If you can’t get to or don’t fancy the Barbican next Saturday evening, Julián Salazar, founding guitarist of Bomba Estéreo, is back in London (E9) with the Colombian electronic sounds of Mitú, his solo project. There are still some tickets to be had for what’s described as a “one-off night of psychedelic techno from the jungle.”

Kevin Johansen & The Nada & Liniers at the Islington Assembly Hall, 8th October

The Argentine-American musician and his band The Nada will be playing their music while the illustrator Liniers will be impro-drawing live, if you can call it that, in the Upper Street venue. They have been putting on this kind of extra-dimensional show, if you can call it that, since it began in 2008 as a divertimento. Music, art, humour and dance. What more can you ask for? If you answer in the affirmative, you can book tickets here. And here he is solo…

Vilano Antillano at the Jazz Café, Camden, 10th October

Just a couple of days later, there’s another Como No!-sponsored concert just up the road (or is it down the road?) in Camden. The Puerto Rican chanteuse Villano Antillano brings her powerful blend of reggaeton, trap and queer empowerment to the dear old Jazz Café. With DJ sets from 2CPERREA residents Tedesco & Ivicore, this night is set to be a “bold celebration of Latin music and identity.” Get your tickets here!

Babasónicos at KOKO, Camden, 14th October

Soon after in the same neck of north London, another Argentine rock outfit will be playing their biggest UK show to date. The five-piece band played a sold-out show at the Electric Ballroom, also in Camden, back in 2023. Babasónicos became a prominent voice amongst the “new Argentine rock” movement, supporting touring artists such as Depeche Mode and U2, and selling out stadia across Latin America. They’ve released thirteen studio albums as well as received thirteen Latin Grammy nominations including “Best Pop/Rock Album” and “Best Alternative Music Album”. So you know it makes sense, in other words. Tickets here and check them out just below. Only a mere 62 million viewers have watched this video, so go on, they need some more hits!

Cumbia de los Muertos at the Fox & Firkin, 1st November

And so to the Day of the Dead… The splendid Malphino will be supported by DJ sets with the flavours of Colombia (Lady Avocado), Guatemala (La Curandera) and Mexico (Gypsy Box). “Expect a transcendent night of hypnotic cumbia, tropical beats, and ritual rhythms.” Sounds a great way of marking the occasion. Get yer loverly tickets ‘ere!

Movimientos 20th Anniversary at Hackney Bridge, 8th November

That special anniversary I mentioned happens a week later at Hackney Bridge. Surely not on the bridge. Is there a bridge in Hackney? Shows how out of touch I am. Anyway… the estimable Movimientos organisation has recruited for the occasion (among other guests) the Argentine producer Pedro Canale, perhaps better known at Chancha via Circuito, and there are apparently some early-bird tickets left.

National Public Radio “El Tiny” concerts

Meanwhile, back in the US of A, while all this is going on, NPR Music’s YouTube channel is premiering a new season of its Tiny Desk concert series. “El Tiny” is the station’s annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, curated and produced by Alt.Latino co-hosts, Félix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre. The concerts are running between 15th September and 15th October and include artists such as Gloria Estefan and Silvana Estrada from across the Latin world. “This year’s series reflects the depth, complexity and brilliance of Latin culture—from iconic voices that shaped genres to the new artists redefining them,” says Anamaria Sayre. She should know.

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