Latino music event shows diverse flavors

From mariachi to indie rock, Pachanga is Latino diversity
By: News 8 Austin Staff, 5/30/2009

The Pachanga Latin Music Festival features 20 bands and a lot of genres.

The second annual Pachanga Latin Music Festival features three stages, two languages, 20 bands, a dozen genres and one lively party celebrating the diversity of Latin music and culture.

"When people think of Latino music, they think of Tejano or Salsa or Merengue, and we wanted to show that there are different styles," musician and organizer Alex Vallejo said. "There’s indie, there’s folk, like Gaby [Moreno]—she’s bringing so much of great twist too—so, we just wanted to have all these artists from the different countries, from the region, and all just in one day.”

News 8's Austin's Andy Langer has more about the different Latin flavors of the music festival.

Moreno said that’s exactly she's so happy to be a part of Pachanga.

"I feel so honored to be a part of this, because we’re all Latin, but sharing different styles, different genres," Moreno said. "You got the Tejano, you got the indie rock, I guess I’m a little more on the blues side of it."

Vallejo said he hopes that can keep the festival going and growing, to maybe become a marquee event in Austin with the freshest artists on the Latin scene.

"We just feel like it’s important—we’re on the East side—it’s important to show the Latino culture, the food the art," Vallejo said. "We feel like everybody has to check it out at least one time."

The event also features Davíd Garza, AJ Castillo, Brownout, Cordero and Mariachi Las Alteñas, among many others. For the kids and those looking for a good meal, a food court and children's activities will also be available on the shores of Lady Bird Lake in historic East Austin.

The last act takes the stage at 9 p.m. Call (512) 382-9017 for more information, or visit PachangaFest.com.