We’re just one dat away from the awaited first edition of Sónar Festival in Mexican territory and the excitement is palpable. Originated in Barcelona in 1994, Sónar has become internationally known for its merging of technology and arts with a special focus on dance music. Since testing the waters away from the Spanish borders in 2002 with London edition, the festival has held events all over the world, including other Latin American cities like Santiago de Chile, Bogotá, Buenos Aires and São Paulo, and it’s finally landing in Mexico City on October 5 at Parque Bicentenario.
Very much in tune with other Sónar events in Latin America, the Mexican edition will be more modest than its Barcelona parent, but that doesn’t mean the lineup has been sacrificed in any way. On the contrary, the organization has gathered a group of heavyweights from both sides of the Atlantic. Grime giant Skepta, techno legend Richie Hawtin, and Toronto quartet BADBADNOTGOOD lead the pack, but it’s the list of Ibero-American talent booked for the occasion that captures our attention.
Balancing between trap/R&B and club music acts, the artists from Latin America and Spain performing at Sónar México are all worth your time, from Guatemalan heartthrob Jesse Báez and Spanish hitmaker Alizzz to model-cum-designer-cum-DJ Sita Abellán and NAAFI’s Lao. But we take it as our duty to highlight some of the best new artists slated to play this year’s festival so you can have a full sense of what to expect when the time to party finally comes. We listed five of them below.
Sónar México is taking place on October 5 at Mexico City’s Parque Bicentenario. Grab your tickets here.
1
Cashu B2B Bad Sista
Two of the biggest names in São Paulo’s nightlife are joining forces to soundtrack an epic dance session at this year’s inaugural Sónar México. On one hand, Cashu has gained popularity for her high-intensity techno mixes; on the other hand, BadSista is more interested in injecting Brazilian rhythms to her own productions and DJ sets. But being part of female and queer collectives Mamba Negra and BANDIDA, respectively, both their careers revolve around diversifying Brazil’s dance floors and making a lasting cultural impact.
2
Timbalerx
Hailing from east L.A., Timbalerx brings his own (and other people’s) productions to life in his concerts using his voice, electronic percussion and, as his name hints it, his timbales. With an arsenal of beats comprised by reggaeton, hip-hop, ballroom and more, he is a master of making people sweat at the club. His set at Sónar Mexico will feature Nadia Granados and Traición’s Pepe Romero, two performance artists who will certainly take Timbalerx’s show to a whole new level.
3
Noa Sainz
It only took R&B singer Noa Sainz one EP (No Science) and a handful of singles and collaborations to develop a following in Mexico and score a deal with Warner, and it’s because her body of work so far overflows with talent. Her silky voice floats on top of crispy beats, melting hearts left and right, but she can also unleash her full power in the blink of an eye. She already captivated us with her performance on this year’s Carnaval de Bahidorá, and we can’t recommend her upcoming show at Sónar México enough.
4
Verraco
Based in Barcelona, Medellin DJ/producer Verraco is a mysterious figure in the Colombian electronic music world, but his moody techno tracks do all the talking. His sets are also unpredictable, and can go from dense ambient music to wild jungle freak-outs. Plus, he operates Insurgentes, an imprint he uses to support the work of like-minded sonic sculptors from Latin America.
5
Zombies In Miami
Formed by Canibal and Jenice, Zombies In Miami have risen to notoriety in the international dance circuit with their elegant blend of techno, house, and disco music cloaked in darkness, and they turn to their array of synthesizers and drum machines to perform it live. There’s a reason why renowned labels like Kompakt and Cómeme have put out their music, and we’ll be able to witness it with our own eyes and ears during Sónar México.