We’re only days away from the 2017 edition of Isle of Light, the indie rock and synth pop festival that continues to captivate Dominican music fans hungry for fresh new sounds outside of the mainstream universe. The festival, which is taking place on April 1, once again includes the networking event IOL Plus in its schedule, with workshops and panels led by music industry stakeholders.
There’s a lot to get hype about – and we’re contributing with one of our trusty Before You Go playlists. Here’s what you can expect to come out of the huge soundsystem set to take over el Faro de Punta Torrecilla.
First things first: we know that most people, us included, are eagerly awaiting Rita Indiana’s return to the stage, so we’ve included the classics “Da Pa Lo Do” and “Pasame a Buca,” both from her seminal 2010 album El Juidero.
Boombap hip-hop is in the spotlight at the festival this year, so you can find some of that on this playlist, too. There’s Original Juan’s bilingual street rhymes and vintage beats on “Uno de los tipos más raperos del mundo” and PJ Sin Suela’s cheeky trap love letter “Oda a las tetas.” Bacayne might be performing a DJ set at IOL, but his original music is too good to be left out, so we included two standout tracks from his Azure Magic EP: the sample-heavy “Ultraviolent” and a slow burner titled “Back 2 See.”
Singer-songwriter Riccie Oriach’s “La Guayaba” and “El Mosquitero” unravel cumbia and guanguancó for rockeros. Dominican band The Cat Lady, who lean towards an undoubtedly British-influenced sound, also make an appearance, while Miami trio Hunters of the Alps, whose ultimate mission is to make you dance, deliver the retro blessing “Time (How to Love).”
Plus, there’s also music from headliners Crystal Castles (featuring Robert Smith) and Real Estate. Just press play and sample what Isle of Light has in store for you.
Isle of Light hits Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Saturday, April 1. To purchase tickets, click here.