One of the most highly anticipated weeks in the summer music calendar comes in mid-July, around the LAMC. The popular music conference helmed by Nacional Records is celebrating its 19th anniversary this year, attracting legions of artists, business insiders, and fans from all over the U.S., Latin America and Spain. With the LAMC at the epicenter of a tidal wave of events popping up around the city, it should come as no surprise that hustling artists and hungry fans have made way for several one-off shows and parties organized independently of the conference.
To help you get organized and navigate the hectic week ahead as efficiently as possible, we’ve compiled a list of showcases and parties happening across NYC, ranging from official LAMC concerts to parallel festivals and smaller tucked-away events. Keep in mind that several of these shows will intersect or happen on different schedules throughout the week, so maximize your concert-going experience by tracking set and commute times.
Our final piece of advice: keep your eyes peeled for last-minute updates. With this bevy of talent pouring into the city, surprise guest appearances and show announcements become commonplace, so stay tuned for posts or leaks from your favorite artists and event producers.
The LAMC takes place July 10-14 in New York City. For more information, click here.
1
Official LAMC Summerstage Showcase at Central Park
This official LAMC showcase is one of multiple partnerships between the conference and the city’s Summerstage initiative happening throughout the week. Head down to Central Park on July 11 and catch Gabriel Garzón-Montano, Tomasa del Real, Nicola Cruz and Latin Bitman, exciting young names in the realms of neo-soul, reggaeton, and digital cumbia.
The Official LAMC Summerstage Showcase at Central Park takes place on July 11 at 5 p.m. Find more info here.
2
Buena Onda at Arlene’s Grocery
Miami-based festival House of Creatives has curated a showcase named Buena Onda: The New Sound of Latin America, spotlighting the spectrum of Latinx musical perspectives blossoming across the continent. Arlene’s Grocery will host the event on July 11, with a lineup that includes Colombian indie pop duo Salt Cathedral, Dominican maverick Riccie Oriach, Venezuelan singer-songwriters Cheo & Ulises Hadjis and more.
Buena Onda takes place on July 11 at 9 p.m. Buy tickets here.
3
New Latin Wave showcase at Rough Trade
The Brooklynites behind New Latin Wave and Supercrush Studio are bringing a feast of indie music to Williamsburg record store Rough Trade on July 12. Prepare for a night of dancing and introspection with performances by dreambow darlings Balún, synthpop wizards Los Wálters, and experimental vocalist STEFA.
New Latin Wave and Supercrush Studio’s show takes place July 12 at 8 p.m. Buy tickets here.
4
Official LAMC Summerstage showcase at Queensbridge Park
Raucous Colombian pachanga will be on full display on July 12 as Systema Solar, Very Be Careful, and El Freaky take over Queensbridge Park in Long Island City, Queens. Summerstage brings free community shows to parks and spaces in all five boroughs, so keep an eye on their official calendar for more events near you.
The Official LAMC Summerstage Showcase at Queensbridge Park takes place on July 12 at 6 p.m. Find more info here.
5
AfroTaíno Summer Bash at C'mon Everybody
Philadelphia-based AfroTaíno Productions is bringing their curatorial prowess to Bed-Stuy for a special summer bash hosted at C’mon Everybody on July 12. With a lineup that includes Riccie Oriach, San Antonio trip-hoppers Femina-X, Philly’s own Precolumbian and more, fans are in for a beautiful night of community and roots music.
Afro Taino Summer Bash takes place on July 12 at 8 p.m. Buy tickets here.
6
LAMC Showcase at Highline Ballroom
The LAMC’s indie showcase at the Highline Ballroom is one of the conference’s most anticipated events, and though this year’s lineup features bigger names than usual, the talent still reflects the eclectic nuances we’ve come to expect. Kicking things off are synth pop singer Marrón and LA-based rapper Niña Dioz, followed by major crowdpleasing sets from Puerto Rican party starter PJ Sin Suela and Mexican rapper C-Kan.
The LAMC Showcase at Highline Ballroom takes place on July 12 at 8:30 p.m. Buy tickets here.
7
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! at Prospect Park Bandshell
BRIC’s Celebrate Brooklyn! has been organizing free outdoor performing arts festivals since 1979, making it one of the city’s most beloved annual occurrences. Swing by Prospect Park on July 12 for a night of Afro-futurist funk sounds led by Antibalas, Combo Chimbita and DJ Nickodemus. The next day, come back to the bandshell and catch an all-star lineup of women in R&B and hip-hop featuring Ana Tijoux, Mala Rodríguez, and Girl Ultra.
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! at Prospect Park Bandshell takes place on July 12 and 13. Find more info here and here.
8
Afro-Latino Festival
Over the years, Afro-Latino Fest has centered some of the most relevant conversations on race, immigration, and women’s empowerment in Latinx music circles. This year is no different, with moderated panels happening around Manhattan on July 13 and 14 and culminating in a major concert blow out at Brooklyn’s The Well on July 15, featuring performances by Amara La Negra, LATASHA, Yasser Tejeda & Palotré, and many more.
Afro Latino Fest takes place July 13-15. Buy tickets here.
9
Rosa Perreo at Nublu
The latest installment of culo-shaking extravaganza Neoperreo is coming to Nublu on July 13, bringing together Chile’s bellaqueo royalty with some of Puerto Rico’s hottest dance floor ringleaders. Party staples like Rip Txny, Jamez Manuel, and Ricci Motora lead the roster while D’Marquesina and Modabot hold it down for the Boricua team. An unannounced special guest is also expected, so stay tuned for updates.
Neoperreo takes place on July 13 at Nublu. Buy tickets here.
10
LatinXpressions at Hostelling International
On July 14, Hostelling International will host LatinXpressions, a series of panels and concerts highlighting Afro-Caribbean identity. The day will kick off with Woke Foods, a critical cooking program, followed by a live conversation between Dominican author and musician Rita Indiana and journalist Amanda Alcántara, concluding with performances by BombaYo and Riccie Oriach.
LatinXpressions takes place on July 14 at 4 p.m. Buy tickets here.
11
PRIMA Fund Showcase at Berlin
PRIMA Fund will be holding their first annual showcase on July 15 at Berlin, aiming to provide financial assistance to Puerto Rico’s independent music community post-Hurricane María. The lineup is lead by queer indie legend Alegría Rampante and rounded out by sunny folk-pop singer Andrea Cruz, indie duo Nutopia and jazz fusion trio Émina.
PRIMA Fund Showcase takes place on July 15 at 6 p.m. The show is free with RSVP here.
12
En Orbita at Le Poisson Rouge
The third edition of Chile’s En Órbita Festival is bringing its boundary-pushing intersections of music and science to New York for the first time, on July 15. Taking over the iconic Le Poisson Rouge venue, the festival will feature panels, exhibits, and performances by exciting indie acts like Breaking Forms and A Place to Bury Strangers, as well as legends Os Mutantes, Lee Ronaldo of Sonic Youth and Martin Rev of Suicide.
En Orbita takes place on July 15 at 6 p.m. Buy tickets here.