GRAMMYs 2025, Páramo Presenta, Festival Centro Highlights
A Journey From Global Recognition to Grassroots Movements
Páramo Presenta: A Colombian Success Story on the World Stage
This week we’re shining a spotlight on Páramo Presenta, the Colombian live event promoter that was recently named the second-best in Latin America by Pollstar. This is a well-deserved recognition to the company’s unwavering commitment to delivering world-class music experiences, and its pivotal role in shaping the country’s live entertainment landscape.
A Legacy of Passion and Excellence
Despite being acquired by Live Nation in 2023, Páramo has retained its essence—trademarks, staff, and a driven passion for music that has made it a regional leader. Known for its top-notch production quality and great ability to connect artists with fans, the company has become synonymous with unforgettable live experiences. Its flagship event, Estéreo Picnic, draws over 100,000 attendees annually, while its headline shows and other festivals like Cordillera and Baum Festival continue to solidify its reputation as a trailblazer in the industry.
Colombia’s Growing Influence in Live Entertainment
Páramo’s success is part of a broader trend that has seen Colombia emerge as a key player in the Latin American live music scene. The country’s vibrant audience and growing infrastructure have made it a must-visit destination for international artists. In 2024 alone, the company generated $61 million in revenue and sold over 1.06 million tickets, a clear indicator of the public’s appetite for live music.
Miguel Santacoloma, Páramo’s Communications Director, emphasized the significance of this achievement:
“Being recognized as the second-most important promoter in South America is a source of pride, but also a reminder of the responsibility we have to continue elevating the industry.”
The Competition: A Colombian Connection
Interestingly, the top spot on Pollstar’s list went to CMN Events, a U.S.-based company with deep Colombian roots. Founded by Colombian entrepreneur Henry Cárdenas, CMN operates locally as CMN Colombia, and owns Bogotá’s Coliseo MedPlus, a massive venue which has hosted multiple world-class acts, though it’s also been the object of serious controversy in recent months.
Despite these challenges, CMN reported $73 million in revenue in 2024, further highlighting Colombia’s importance in the global live entertainment market.
What’s Next for Páramo?
With the backing of Live Nation and OCESA, Páramo Presenta is poised to expand its reach and bring even more world-class events to Colombia and beyond. As the company continues to innovate and grow, it remains a shining example of how Colombian talent and passion can compete on the global stage.
GRAMMYs 2025: Pop Music Icons and Latin Crossovers
The 2025 GRAMMYs will take place this Sunday, February 2, and once again, Latin artists are making waves alongside global superstars. From Shakira to Bad Bunny, Kali Uchis to Sheila E., the Latin music scene is proving its undeniable influence on the global stage.
This year’s nominations also highlight the continued dominance of artists like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and one of our tribune’s favorites, Billie Eilish, whose latest record HIT ME HARD AND SOFT has solidified her as one of the most innovative current singers. As we highlighted in our recent Artists to Watch piece, Billie’s ability to evolve while staying true to her artistic core is unparalleled. Tracks like “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”, “CHIHIRO” and “LUNCH”, showcase her knack for blending vulnerability with bold experimentation, consolidating her as a generational icon.
On another note, Shakira, Anitta, Kali Uchis, and Kany García are all vying for the coveted Best Latin Pop Album. In the Best Urban Music Album category, heavyweights like Bad Bunny (Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana), J Balvin (Rayo), and Residente (Las Letras Ya No Importan) are set to battle it out, while Young Miko’s att. represents the new wave of Latin urban talent.
Meanwhile, Sheila E.’s Bailar and Tony Succar’s Alma, Corazón y Salsa are leading the charge in the Best Tropical Latin Album category, proving that traditional sounds still have a powerful place in the modern music landscape.
As far as numbers, Beyoncé leads the pack with 11 nominations, thanks to her genre-defying release Cowboy Carter. Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and Sabrina Carpenter are also heavy hitters, with multiple nods across major categories.
So, who are you rooting for? Let us know in the comments.
Festival Centro 2025: Echoes of the Past and Future
Bogotá’s Festival Centro once again proved to be a melting pot of musical and artistic expressions, blending the avant-garde with deep cultural roots. This year’s lineup featured everything from a myriad of local and regional showcases, to the paleofuturist performative actions exhibit, held as a heartfelt tribute to the late Ernesto "Teto" Ocampo, whose legacy along spearheads of Colombian folklore revival such as Sidestepper, Carlos Vives + La Provincia and many others, still resonates deeply within the confines of the local music spheres:
As far as the live music component, two performances in particular stood out through the festival’s local TV station Canal Capital livestream:
La Sonora Mazurén
Born in Bogotá’s high-altitude chaos, La Sonora Mazurén has taken the vibrant energy of Colombia’s alternative scene and fused it with the hypnotic pulse of cumbia, chicha and retro-futuristic tropical sounds. Their debut album, Bailando con Extraños, released under the iconic Barbès Records, placed them in the lineage of modern tropical reimagination alongside acts like Frente Cumbiero, Meridian Brothers, and Ondatrópica.
Live, they’re a whirlwind—pulsating percussion, swirling vocal melodies, and an immersive light show that turns their set into an electrifying ritual. This recent performance at downtown Bogotá’s Media Torta open theatre was no exception, delivering a feverish mix of psychedelic salsa, Afro-funk, and acid cumbia that felt like a cosmic dance party.
The Garifuna Collective
From the Caribbean coasts of Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras, The Garifuna Collective carries a musical legacy that transcends time. Originally co-founded by the late Andy Palacio, the group remains dedicated to preserving the Garifuna language and traditions, which are at risk of extinction.
Unlike the more commercialized punta rock style, their sound stays rooted in the heart of grassroot Central American rhythms, blending African and indigenous Caribbean influences with a modern aesthetic. Their set at Festival Centro was a deeply emotional experience, resonating with history and resilience. Also performing at the Media Torta, their polyrhythmic drumming, soul-stirring vocals, and rich harmonic layers transported listeners to the shores of their ancestors.
Divino Colapso & Friends Takeover at Ritmo Moderno
If you’re looking for a night of unfiltered musical energy and sonic alchemy, downtown Bogotá’s Ritmo Moderno is the place to be this Saturday, Feb 1. Divino Colapso will be unleashing their signature sound, backed by an all-star lineup of boundary-pushing artists.
Expect an electrifying mix of psychedelic grooves, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and futuristic beats with special performances from:
🎵 El León Pardo
🎵 Original EUFOX
🎵 La Mákina del Karibe
🎵 Bandejas Espaciales
🎵 Mateo Molano & Tumbacatre Orquesta
🎵 Divino Niño de Palomino & Kapitan Turbakistan on the decks
Date: Saturday, February 1st
Cover: 25K COP pre-sale, 30K COP at the event
With this stellar lineup and a space like Ritmo Moderno, this isn’t just a concert—it’s a cultural happening. Don’t miss it! 🚀🔥
Whether through world-class festivals, internationally recognized artists, or grassroots movements keeping cultural traditions alive, Latin America remains at the forefront of artistic innovation. As we look ahead, one thing is certain: the region’s sound is louder than ever, and the world is listening.
For the time being, stay tuned for our upcoming New Music Vault, plus a bunch of features and exclusive interviews coming your way in the month of February.
Until then, keep the rhythm alive!