This week the lineup for one onf Colombia’s biggest music festivals was announced; Rock al Parque takes place every year in Parque Simon Bolivar, along with Jazz al Parque, Hip-Hop al Parque and Salsa al Parque. Although, as I’ve said on this blog before, until I see an ‘Experimental New-Wave al Parque’ I can’t take it entirely seriously…
Rock in the Park is an annual tradition for Bogota’s music scene, and the stage has been graced by a number of great bands over the years, including Dead Kennedys, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Cafe Tacvba, Manu Chao, Amigos Invisibles, Bloc Party, Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas, and many, many more. That’s just the international artists; every year, the very best of Colombian alternative music also play its part in proceedings. Over the years Rock al Parque has seen shows from Systema Solar, 1280 Almas, Aterciopelados and…the Bogota Philharmonic Orchestra. It’s certainly a diverse event…
The festival, which has been running annually since 1995, has an average of over 50 bands performing each year, and takes place over 3 days in Parque Simon Bolivar. The sale of alcohol is prohibited, and security is usually pretty tight, but it’s an amazing 3 days nonetheless; get into the Colombian spirit and enjoy the music sans booze! This year’s event will be on August 16, 17 and 18. As I said, it’s a diverse lineup, including not just rock music, but also reggae, punk, ska and blues, along with more traditional Colombian sounds. The crowd often numbers around the 400,000 mark over the course of the 3 days, so get there in good time, especially if you want a good view of the headliners.
Ah, the headliners, you ask!? This year’s Rock al Parque is more international than ever, with performances coming from Killswitch Engage, Fishbone, The Casualties, Black Label Society, Juana Molina, Exodus, and Sly and Robbie. The Colombian contingent is a pretty impressive list of names as well: Aterciopelados are back, along with Colombian Blues Society, Esteman, Superlitio, Sidestepper (legends!), Meridian Brothers (new legends!), and El Freaky. It promises to be an amazing few days.
So, if you’re planning to be in Bogota in mid-August head over to the Park (there’s always a nice, calm boating lake if you get a bit tired of the the thrash metal…)
Chris
Pingback: What to do in August in Colombia | Colombia Travel Blog by Marcela & See Colombia Travel