La Linea - The London Latin Music Festival 2023 encapsulated the very best of London's Latin music scene, with vibrant performances from 20-piece London Latin jazz band, New Regency Orchestra and British-Colombian ensemble, Mestizo.

La Linea – The Latin Music Festival, made its highly anticipated return to London, with a vibrant celebration of music and culture. This annual event showcases a mix of established global icons and up-and-coming talents from the Latin music scene, providing a platform for artists to share their artistry with audiences in London. The festival consisted of a series of events across April and  May, and I had the pleasure of attending shows by New Regency Orchestra and Mesitzo that left me wanting to dance the night away at two of London's most fantastic, intimate music venues.

The festival also featured several other talented artists who entertained audiences with their unique styles and musical abilities. Among them, the renowned Peruvian singer Susana Baca, a celebrated Peruvian singer and three-time Latin Grammy winner, graced the stage at Jazz Café, commemorating her illustrious 50-year career in music. Uruguayan singer-songwriter Jorge Drexler, a seven-time Latin Grammy winner. Chapulines brought vibrant Mexican and Caribbean rhythms to AMP Studios, while Vientos presented a fusion of South American folk and electronic influences at East London’s Rich Mix.

On a Saturday night [22 April], I made my way to Hackney Wick for the sold-out performance of the New Regency Orchestra at the Colour Factory. As a lover of an intimate space, I was excited to be back at this east London venue. The 20-piece Afro-Cuban jazz ensemble, led by pianist Eliane Correa, produced a unique spin on jazz and Latin sounds from the 1950s to 70s.

The orchestra was joined by two dancers who brought the stage to life, with members of the audience unable to resist joining in. It has been a while since I've witnessed such an enthusiastic audience, dancing and celebrating the performance with such passion. Beyond their fantastic music, the infectious feel-good vibes the band imparted to the audience made it an absolutely perfect way to spend a Saturday night.

I was also thrilled to attend the festival's closing act, British-Colombian ensemble Mestizo, at Village Underground. The formation of Mestizo came about following a collaboration between British-Caribbean saxophonist and Steam Down founder Ahnansé, and Colombian multi-instrumentalist and Mambo Negro Records label head Daniel Michel. Mestizo's sound incorporates elements of Afro-jazz, hip-hop, dub, salsa, cumbia, ska, bossa nova, and afrobeat, accompanied by bilingual vocals, gaita, clarinet, trumpet, sax, and a rich tapestry of percussion. The result is an eclectic musical journey.

What I loved the most about Mestizo was their ability to combine Colombian traditions such as currulao and cumbia, infused with salsa, rap, electronica, and jazz. With a harmonious mix of indigenous traditions and British diaspora music, they have created an innovative sound that was both entrancing and eclectic to hear live. The band's bilingual vocals and mastery of various instruments added a depth and a richness to their music. Despite being unfamiliar with the group prior to the event, I was blown away by their explosive show. The audience was swaying and dancing from side to side and the band had them chanting "otra otra otra" for an encore. Mestizo delivered an epic send-off that left the crowd buzzing with energy, and people continued dancing long after the band left the stage. I left eager to download their debut album, which is available now. 

Whether you're a diehard fan of Latin Jazz or have yet to discover the genre, La Linea Festival is an absolute must for anyone in search of a night filled with amazing music and dancing. This year's festival was a true celebration of resilience and perseverance of the Latin music scene, embodied by the stunning symbol of a flowering cactus. The festival's powerful symbol perfectly encapsulated the Latin music industry's unwavering ability to bring joy and positivity to audiences, something it definitely lived up to this year. We can't wait to see what's in store for La Linea Festival in 2024!

New Regency Orchestra: Date: 22 April 2023. Location: Colour Factory, 8 Queen's Yard, London E9 5EN. Mestizo: Date: 7 May 2023. Location: 54 Holywell Lane, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3PQ.

La Linea Festival: Date: 21st April – 7th May 2023. Website: lalineafestival.com

Words by Maawura Totoe