A celebration of the diversity, eclecticism and sophistication of contemporary urban Latin culture, the inaugural Pura Vida Latin Music Festival presents more than ten stellar bands from the breadth of the South American continent in Australia’s major venues and festivals. Kicking off on 17th September in Canberra with the groundbreaking trio Terraplen from Argentina, the Pura Vida juggernaut stops in Melbourne and Brisbane before wrapping up in Sydney on 6th October with Brazilian hip hop sensation Renegado in a double bill with Grammy winners Choc Quib Town from Colombia in Sydney’s Oxford Arts Factory.
“Pura Vida Latin Music Festival was born to offer Australia an opportunity to explore one of Latin America’s best ready for export product, an amazing catalogue of music,” says Frank Madrid, producer of the road show. “We wanted to stay away from stereotypes and present a wide array of artists and genres, as eclectic and diverse as possible.”
The internationally celebrated line up is a first for Australia, presenting high profile artists that are garnering critical and popular acclaim on the global music scene. Pura Vida features ground-breaking techno folk ensemble and brainchild of Academy Award Winner Gustavo Santaolalla, Terraplén; iconic Ska band Desorden Público with their mix of ska, Latin rock, reggae and traditional Latin rhythms, and two of South America’s hottest urban acts, Afro-Colombian Latin Grammy Award winner’s Choc Quib Town, with their sleek and rapid fire brand of tropical style hip-hop; and Brazilian sensation Renegado with his smooth mix of Reggae, Maracatu, Cuban music and Samba with North American Rap & hip hop.
Samba-lovers will appreciate the mesmerizing Brazilian Queen of Nu Samba, Aline Calixto, regarded as one of Brazil’s most promising new artists, and for those interested in a truly unique experience, Pura Vida presents the dramatically unusual voice of Alda Rezende accompanied by master of percussion Esdra “Nenem” Ferreira with a mix of Jazz, Bossa Nova, Samba and Pop. These Brazilian musical ambassadors will be supported by la crème de la crème of Australasian jazz: double-bassist extraordinaire Jonathan Zwartz, prodigious pianist Marcello Maio, celebrated saxophonist Lucien Johnson and guitarist extraordinaire Alistair Campbell.
To top off the festival is Uruguayan boy-wonder Martin Buscaglia, who is known as a
kind of South American Prince, playing luscious candombe-funk music that is gentle,
percussive and very groovy, like Beck in a pure Tropicalia style. The international line-up are supported by the best of Australia’s Latin scene, including Victor Valdes & The Marin Brothers’ blend of Andean sounds and contemporary rock; Oscar Jimenez and his inimitable blend of Afro-Colombian roots; local favourites Chukale featuring members of Buena Vista Social Club and Canberra’s own Los Chavos. And if music lovers need more incentive than the sparkling festival bill to attend, they can buy their tickets through Moshtix and go in the draw to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Machu Pichu, Peru. Two very lucky Pura Vida ticket buyers who can identify five
icons from the Festival’s poster image will be able to continue their Latin American
experience with an Intrepid Travel tour for two to this extraordinary destination.
WHERE:
Martin Buscaglia Saturday, 24th September - Melbourne Recital Hall, Melbourne
Aline Calixto Saturday, 24th September - Melbourne Recital Hall, Melbourne with Alda Rezende
Alda Rezende Saturday, 24th September - Melbourne Recital Hall, Melbourne
Renegado Saturday, 1st October - The Hi-Fi, Melbourne
Choc Quib Town Saturday, 1st October - The Hi-Fi, Melbourne
TICKETS: Available from Moshtix & direct from venues
