The 22nd edition of the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) has finally arrived and the lineup is stacked with industry workshops, poignant panel discussions and a slew of riveting showcases. Usually, the LAMC unfolds across iconic New York City stages like Summerstage and the Highline Ballroom, but in the age of COVID-19, the festival, like everything and everyone else, has adapted and embraced a digital format. From May 4 to 7, an extensive series of shows and conversations will be available to international audiences, attracting devoted fans, curious newcomers and savvy artists on the come up.
After 22 years in the game, Nacional Records’ beloved festival feels as fresh as ever. The schedule includes several high profile interviews with superstars such as Mon Laferte, Natalia Lafourcade and Tainy, which will be conducted by representatives by media institutions like KEXP, NPR and Billboard. And don’t sleep on the showcases. Both Sounds of Spain and the conference’s time-honored acoustic performances promise to blow our minds into 2022.
To help you navigate the weeklong activities, we’ve put together a list of 5 highlights you should catch at LAMC 2021. To register and check out the full itinerary, click here.
LAMC Talks with Billboard Latin: C. Tangana con Leila Cobo
After the rapturous release of El Madrileño, one of the buzziest records of 2021, C. Tangana has continued offering nuanced portrayals of Spanish identity and culture through music videos, interviews and a cinematic Tiny Desk concert. On May 4, Leila Cobo of Billboard Latin will dig even further into these themes with an in-depth interview that promises to shed light on little known details surrounding Tangana’s acclaimed new album, as well as his creative process and future projects.
Wonder Women of Latin Music
Also on May 4, Amazon Music Latin will host a watershed conversation on the women that move the industry forward, both on and off the stage. The panel will be moderated by The Orchard’s Laura Tesoriero and will feature music executives María Fernández (Sony Music), Gabriela González (ASCAP), Alicia Arauzo (Universal Music España), Gabriela Martínez (Warner Music) and Sandra Jiménez (YouTube Music). Beyond highlighting the importance and influence of women in the music industry, the conversation should be especially nourishing for young women breaking into the business.
Panel: ¡Afro-Latino!
The conversation on greater visibility and representation for Afro-Latinx music, artists and traditions rages on, which is why May 5’s ¡Afro-Latino! panel is among the conference’s most anticipated. Vital diasporic voices from Mabiland, La Dame Blanche, Akapellah, Fidel Nadal, Carlos Alomar and Sergio George are all coming together for a sprawling conversation on overcoming industry racism and whitewashing. You don’t want to miss this one.
LAMC Talks with Deezer's La Ola Podcast: Tainy con Verónica Orozco
Over the past year, Boricua hitmaker Tainy has steadily stepped out from behind the curtain, dropping a banging quarantine mixtape and delivering a Thunderdome-level perreo battle against Luny. In this exciting conversation with La Ola Podcast’s Verónica Orzoco, scheduled for May 6, get to know the mastermind behind some of the past decade’s most emblematic reggaeton smashes. Who knows, he might even spill some tea on forthcoming releases too!
Panel: Rompan Todo, ¿Y Ahora Qué?
Netflix’s landmark rock en español documentary Rompan Todo thrilled as many fans and musicians as it seemed to anger; whether for its sparse inclusion of women or its narrow focus on Mexico and Argentina. Regardless, the Gustavo Santaolalla-produced docu-series is still sparking riveting, essential conversations on the significance of rock music in Latin America. On May 7, the LAMC is cordially inviting fans to sit in on a talk between POPGarage’s José Tillán, Julieta Venegas, Andrea Ecehverri and more as they examine the socio-political dynamics of rock music in our increasingly tumultuous world.