The wait is finally over. The Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) officially kicks off its 23rd edition, and second consecutive virtual one, today (May 4). The conference will run until May 7 with a program packed with panels, workshops, showcases, Q&A sessions, and networking events aimed at artists and music industry players—all completely free of charge. We’ve already highlighted five of the activities we consider a must; now, we turn the focus to the five music showcases taking place during the conference.
This year’s musical menu includes a showcase on each day of LAMC, and it features heavy hitters like Argentine reggae legend Fidel Nadal, Afro-Cuban extraordinaire La Dame Blanche, Mexican singer/songwriter Silvana Estrada, Spain’s Love of Lesbian, and mariachi-inspired outfit Flor de Toloache.
Out of the total of 32 artists and bands who are bringing their music straight to your home, we picked five new talents who we consider you can’t miss at this year’s LAMC, all representing different backgrounds and genres. For the full schedule and free registration, head over to LAMC’s official website.
Villano Antillano (May 4 - Indie Showcase)
Puerto Rican 25-year-old non-binary rapper Villano Antillano is coming to LAMC as a welcomed antidote to trap and hip-hop’s rampant homophobia and transphobia. With their deep voice and sharp rhymes, Villano Antillano (like their latest single “Pájara,”) is already a trailblazer for the LGBTQIA+ community in el movimiento and we can’t wait to see their set at the LAMC.
Baiuca (May 5 - Sounds From Spain Showcase)
International folktronica has a new hero and his name is Baiuca. Spanish producer Alejandro Guillán looks inward to his own Galician roots to find the raw elements he uses to create mesmerizing club-oriented tracks that burst with both tradition and a forward-thinking perspective. His second album Embruxo drops this week.
Pahua (May 6 - LAMC at Capital One City Parks Foundation Summerstage Anywhere Showcase)
Known by many as one half of party-starting brother-sister duo Sotomayor, Mexican artist Paulina Sotomayor recently dropped her debut EP as Pahua, Ofrenda, introducing us to her spiritual sensibilities and her healing brand of dance music. Mixing tropical stylings and contagious rhythms, Pahua is coming to LAMC to make our hearts smile.
Sebastián .Otero (May 6 - LAMC at Capital One City Parks Foundation Summerstage Anywhere Showcase)
Puerto Rico’s Sebastián .Otero is taking over LAMC for the second time this year, and he’s set to bring us two songs from his forthcoming Eduardo Cabra-produced album. .Otero skillfully glides between singing and rapping, blending hip hop and off-kilter production to create explosive, politically-charged bops.
Gina Chavez (May 7 - Acoustic Showcase)
Austin-born Latin Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Gina Chavez isn’t technically a new artist, but we couldn’t miss the chance to recommend her live show. Although Chavez is going back to her acoustic roots on her LAMC performance, she has explored uncharted electronic pop territory with her 2020 EP La Que Manda, showing her risk-taking nature and distinctive voice in the Latinx panorama.