El Divan de Diana: Rock Fest: Vive Latino 2011

Yesterday, I was at the Press Conference for the Vive Latino 2011 Festival, which is considered the most popular Rock Fest in Mexico and an important one in Latin America, although, personally, I think it has been getting worst by the year. I remember when I was younger, about 10 years ago or so, it used to be quite cool and they used to present the best bands around, from Mexico, Latin America and some foreign ones, such as Save Ferris back in 1998 (I think), which was particularly awesome as they're one of my fave bands ever!

Anyways, it's been quite a while since I haven't been to a Vive Latino concert, and not only because I wasn't in town, even if I would have, I don't think I'd buy tickets for it. And here's why: 80% of the bands playing the Festival don't even deserve to be there...or on any stage! Now, I am not saying we don't have good musicians in Mexico or Latin America, we do, they just don't get invited to the Vive Latino, for some odd reason. In my opinion, great musicians such as Ely Guerra, the IMS, Ximena Sariñana, Natalia Lafourcade, Los Dynamite, María Daniela y Su Sonido Lasser and many more were left out.

The Press Conference was kind of a disappointment as not only lame musicians (only one per band) were representing what's gonna be the Festival next year, but no real information was given. When someone asked good/interesting questions to Jorge Puig, General Director of the Festival, he answered very vaguely with something like "I'd rather for you to wait and see", or "I'd rather not to talk about that now"...hmmm, then I guess I was wrong because I thought Press Conferences were to clear everyone's doubts and answer questions and make things clear regarding whatever it is about!

Jorge Puig / Map of the Foro Sol

The Art for the Festival was in charge of Graphic Designer Alex Arizmendi who, turns out, if the brother of a friend of mine. He talked a bit about the art for this year and said it was about going back to the roots, the "Aztecs in particular" and their culture and heritage and stuff like that, which is what inspired him to create the logo and general art for the Festival this year.

To wrap up the conference, the Rebel Cats and Enjambre performed a song each. The Lineup for Vive Latino 2011, which will take place next April 8, 9 and 10, is as follows:

2 minutos
Adanowsky
Agrupación Cariño
Albert Pla
Alika & Nueva Alianza
Alonso Arreola
Alyosha Barreiro
Andrea Balency Trio
Anita Tijoux
Ansia Atto and The Majestics
Azul Violeta
Babasónicos
Bam-Bam
Banda de Turistas
Bengala
Bogo
Bomba Stereo
Caifanes
Carla Borghetti
Carla Morrison
Carlos Ann
Cero Absoluto
Charly García
Chikita Violenta
Disco Ruido
Djamra
Dorian
Dr Krápula
El Gincho
Electric Co
Eljuri
Elis Paprika
Enjambre
FamasLoop
Fidel Nadal
Finde
Fobia
Frontline
Guerrila Sonora
Gula
Hana
Hong Kong Blood Opera
Hummersqueal
Jarabe de Palo
Jessy Bulbo
Joe Volume
La Barranca
La Dosis
La Gusana Ciega
La hora de la hora
La Internacional Sonora Balkanera
La Pulquería
Las Pastillas del Abuelo
Letz Zep
Liber Terán
Liquits
Loquillo
Los Bunkers
Los Coronas
Los Daniels
Los de abajo
Los Dorados
Los Elásticos
Los Enanitos Verdes
Los Estrambóticos
Los licuadoras
Los Pericos
Macaco
Mala Rodríguez
Mara (Charly Montana)
Marlento
Nana Pancha
No te va a gustar
Payro
People's Project
Pito Perez
Proyecto Geko
Puerquerama
Radaid
Rana Santacruz
Raxas
Rebel Cats
Rey Pila
Robi Draco
Ruido Rosa
San Pascualito Rey
Sara Valenzuela
Sepultura
Seven Rays
She's a Tease
Sho trío
Sonidero Meztizo
Tanke
Telefunka
Telesis
The Chemical Brothers
The National
The Pinker Tones
The Plastics Revolution
Tokio Ska Paradise Orchestra
Torreblanca
Turbina
Velandía y la Tigra
Vicente Gayo
Yokozuna

Adanowsky Roko Pachucote Liber Terán

Charly Montana / Jessy Bulbo

The bands in bold are the ones I think are the only thing really worth going to this Festival--kind of sad, isn't it? Knowing we're like a zillion years away from making real Festivals such as Glastonbury, V Festival, T in the Park, Rock en Seine...to mention a couple. Maybe one day, when I grow up, I'll organize a cool one for Mexico and Latin America; in the meantime...I'd rather just go to individual concerts than going to VL2011, to be honest.