Event

CANCELLED! LOS DE ABAJO

Mexico City-based Los de Abajo has built a distinctive fusion of regional music and rhythms with powerful lyrics focused on political and social activism. Their name loosely translates as "The Underdogs", as the group believes that social change comes "from below", from the grassroots. They manage to mix Latin sounds (cumbia, salsa, rumba) with ska, rap, rock, reggae, funk and electro in order to serve up a fruit salad of vocals and instruments.

The Guardian describes them as "distinctive as ever, thanks to their energy, experimentation and ability to constantly and effortlessly change direction. The 10-piece lineup of this rousing fusion band from Mexico City deliverswith funk guitar and shifts to hip-hop before their exce llent singer Tania Melo takes over with a Latin dance workout backed by accordion, trumpet and saxophone. Elsewhere, they switch from stomping brass on Mexican Underdogs to the cool, drifting ballad Mexicano again with added hip-hop. Recommended!"

Los de Abajo was championed early on by former-Talking Head, David Byrne, who signed them to his label, Luaka Bop. Their second album won a BBC award. Recently they have added Balkan styles and hip hop to their already-diverse palette, and Los De Abajocollaborating with artists from many countries and genres, as well as working with top tier producers and studios.