“7th Annual ‘La Bamba for Playa’ Music Fest in Mexican Caribbean”

The music festival 'La Bamba for Playa, for Mexico and Peace' is celebrating its seventh year. The festival was created in response to violent incidents in Playa del Carmen that impacted the tourism industry. The initiative was launched in 2018, following violent incidents including an attack on the Blue Parrot bar and a ferry explosion. These incidents resulted in multiple injuries and fatalities, negatively affecting the area's reputation.

Daniel Pacheco, a musician and reporter based in Veracruz and living in Playa del Carmen, organized the event. He brought together various groups to create an event in the tourist area, offering everything from Son Jarocho workshops to headline concerts, all free of charge. Over the seven years, the festival has hosted bands and artists such as Noé González from Los Cojolites, Sonex, Los Aguas Aguas, Mayan hip-hopper Pat Boy, Kill Aniston, and María Moctezuma, among others.

"Music is medicine, it's not just entertainment, music has truly healing effects," said Pacheco. This year, the festival is collaborating with Colombian artists who will showcase Afro-Caribbean percussion. The event kicked off on Wednesday with talks, workshops, and tours with Son Jarocho musicians along Quinta Avenida in Playa del Carmen. The headline concert is scheduled for Saturday at 5 pm at the Fundadores Park, located in front of the pier that connects Playa del Carmen with Cozumel by sea. The lineup includes the Regio group Viento Wirikuta and Colombians Bantú and Kumandaay.

As per tradition, at the end of the concert, all the artists and the audience will join together to sing 'La Bamba' in the rhythm of Son Jarocho. Pacheco emphasizes that music knows no borders and can be a powerful agent of social change.