Salon Malaga is an old-timey bar perfect for tango and bolero lovers. When setting foot in here, you’ll be able to travel back in time and feel like you are in one of those old days bohemian movies.

Are you curious about what you can find there? Then let me share an honest personal review about Salon Malaga with you.  Let’s get into it!

A Brief History of Salon Malaga 

This bastion of the musical tradition of yesteryear was born in 1957 and founded by Gustavo Arteaga. Its main objective was to cultivate popular music as an art. Art is enjoyed to the fullest regardless of age or social status.

Recently, this place has grown in popularity. A big reason for that is because many famous artists and music figures of yesteryear have graced the halls of the Salon.

One of the charms of Salon Malaga is the collection of photographs on permanent display. You can look at photos of Medellín in the first 50 years of the twentieth century. There have been glamorous artists who performed there. 

The Gold Record was awarded to Salon Malaga by CBS in 1968, in a competition in which it ranked first. Today, it’s a historical and cultural heritage of Medellin, where you can learn much more about history.

If that isn’t impressive enough, Gustavo Arteaga is one of the most important collectors of yesteryear music. He has a collection of 78 revolutions records with real musical jewels that are difficult to find anywhere else.

How to Get There

Public transportation is the best way to get there. This Salon is just a few steps from the San Antonio metro station (Route A). If you prefer to take the bus, you can take one of these:

• 133D
• C6E2
• M36
• T4 016

It is not simple to drive there since parking your car can be a bit tricky. The area in front of the venue is more pedestrian friendly and used for the EnCicla bike system. So if you skipped leg day, this one is in your favor.

Getting there by taking a rideshare app or taxi is also a good option. 

IG: @salon.malaga

Website:https://salonmalaga.com/

Address: Carrera 51 N° 45-80 San Antonio Metro Station

Events at Salon Malaga

Throughout the week, you can attend various events and activities. Expect to be treated to exquisite dance shows, meetings, and much more.

On their website, you can find the schedule of their events that are available every week. If you want to catch an event with top-rated artists, you should check their Instagram page. 

Now let’s see the events you can attend!

Tango Shows

Enjoy the best live performers every Saturday from 5:30 p.m. Tango is a frequent art in the Salon and is always accompanied by live music. Tango shows are the most popular events, so you better make your reservations for the shows beforehand. 

Tango is one of Arteaga’s favorite genres, so this place is one of the dance floors where the annual Medellín International Tango Festival takes place.

Events like this are also a meeting place for true connoisseurs of tango.  Guests take hours talking about the subject, drinking wine, and sharing vinyl gems from their collections.

Musical Meetings

The second Wednesday of every month at 5:30 pm is dedicated to live ancient music. These nights are a perfect cultural space to share ideas, meet new people, and practice some Spanish language. 

If you didn’t know anything about the Colombian music of yesteryear, musical meetings are the perfect spot to learn about it. Some of the genres you can enjoy are:

• Bambuco
• Opera
• Zarzuela
• Bolero
• Criolla
• Porro
• Waltz

Bolero Thursdays

One of the most popular events at Salon Malaga, and for which you have to make reservations in advance, are the Bolero Thursdays. This event is a relaxing opportunity to take a sip of your favorite beverage while enjoying live musicians performing beautiful old-world songs.

This bohemian music event attracts locals, foreigners, and audiences of all ages. The atmosphere created around this event is very casual and elegant. Even if you don’t understand Spanish, the bolero is a music genre that doesn’t need words to express emotions and feelings.

Viejoteca

Every Sunday from 2:00 pm, the dance floor is open to anyone who wants to practice a few moves or admire the perfect dance moves of authentic old music lovers. 

Making a Reservation

You only need to book a table on Saturdays, the most popular day of the Salon. On the other days, entry to Salon Malaga is free, and you’ll easily be able to find a place to sit.

To make a reservation, guests must send a bank transfer, a photo of the receipt to Whatsapp, the number of people, the reservation name, and an ETA.

A phone number is located on the website if you have any questions.

Spend an Evening at Salon Malaga 

Without a doubt, Salon Malaga is one of the Medellin must-visits that you cannot miss. If you want to relive the memory of the old Medellin and discover a little more of its musical heritage, spend an evening at this yesteryear music sanctuary. 

So, what do you say? Are you thinking of practicing your dance floor moves at Salon Malaga? Let us know in the comments!

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There’s no shortage of things to do in Laureles, whether you’re in Medellin for a few days or taking a long vacation.

If you still don’t know or aren’t sure what the best things to do at Laureles are, we’ve got you covered! Keep reading to find out how to avoid boredom during a stay at Factory Lofts!

La 70: Bars and Entertainment

One of the most popular places in the Laureles neighborhood is La 70 or Carrera 70. 

Luckily, Factory Lofts is located just one street away, so you don’t have to worry about staying late at night having a drink or enjoying the countless bars, restaurants, and nightclubs with your friends.

Live music, salsa clubs, and techno joints are just some of the many options you find in this street that runs through the heart of Laureles. You never know what genre of music can sweep you off your feet and get you grooving and boogying on the dance floor.

Overall, this area is a party scene that offers locals and tourists soothing vibes and an opportunity to interact and meet new people.

Best Nightlife Spots at La 70

Since La 70 has so much to offer, we’ve created a small list of the top places to have a drink and a good time in the area:

• La Kasica: La Kasica is a crossover nightclub, which means you can find a diverse mix of traditional genres like merengue with rock’n’roll, which is very cool!
• Oye Bonita: A bar with a tropical vibe perfect for live music lovers. It’s also preferred by many locals to sit and watch their favorite football team match.
• Fonda La Chismosa: Another very well-known paisa nightclub.  Known for the mariachi Saturdays.
• La Charcu: It has a chill atmosphere and a very impressive menu of exotic cocktails.

Take a Break in the Laureles Parks

If maybe you’re not into parties, you can also spend the evening taking a walk around the tiny natural corners of Laureles. The closest parks to Factory Lofts are:

• San Joaquin Park
• Primer Parque de Laureles
• Segundo Parque de Laureles
• Belen Malibu Park

For some, it can be hard to believe that you can find peace and quiet in a busy neighborhood like Laureles. 

However, the small local parks are perfect for getting some exercise, doing some people watching, and enjoying a coffee in the nearby cafes.

If you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Medellin or have a more family-friendly plan, then the local parks are perfect for you. 

Estadio Atanasio Girardot

Staying at Factory Lofts gives you the advantage of being very close to one of the top must-visit spots of Medellin—the Estadio Atanasio Girardot. 

If you prefer to spend your free time doing some exercise in a more sporty environment, then you can enjoy the services that the stadium offers.

For instance, you can have some fun splashing around in the water complex of Medellin. There you can take a dip in the pool and cool off. 

Or, head over there when a soccer game is on. On game days, the stadium is usually crowded and full of fans of the home team, Atlético Nacional. 

Regardless of the match result, the bars and nightclubs of La 70 will be filled with football fans who want to celebrate victory or drown their sorrows and hope for a better result the next time.

Hiking in Pueblito Paisa

You only have to walk for a few minutes to get to Cerro Nutibara, where you can check out the infamous Pueblito Paisa. It only takes you 15 minutes to reach the top, but it’s quite the workout!

In addition to doing some exercise, going up to the Pueblito Paisa is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the region’s history and the city’s way of life many years ago.

Pueblito Paisa is also a quick way to take a break from urban life and fill your lungs with fresh air, as the mountain is surrounded by lush greenery and a healthy environment.

Do Some Shopping in Laureles

If you’re in the mood for me-time or want to renew your wardrobe, you can take a day to do some window shopping or stroll through some of the malls near Factory Lofts:

• Laureles Mall
• Viva Laureles Mall
• Obelisco Mall

Even If you haven’t caught the shopping bug, you can always enjoy the activities they have to offer, such as watching a movie at the cinema or having lunch in one of its countless restaurants.

Explore Laureles During a Stay at Factory Lofts

Now that you know there’s always something to do in Laureles, there’s no excuse not to walk around the neighborhood and enjoy its many activities!

So, what do you think? Do you prefer a crazy party night or a quiet walk in the park? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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Perhaps that’s why visitors and locals flock to bars and clubs in large groups to enjoy Medellin’s nightlife.

There are many places in Medellin to go out, have fun, and de-stress. If you’re looking for the best nightclubs around the city, we’ve got your back. Keep reading to find out!

La Oculta

Let’s start the list off strong with a petite crossover club nestled in the heart of Provenza: La Oculta. 

This place features two separate bars, both of which are worth checking out. It’s also a spot that’s frequented by Medellin’s beau monde!

If you’re going to visit the two late night bars hidden inside La Oculta, make sure that you bring a well-funded card.

The drinks flow here, and they don’t flow with a low price tag!

Son Havana

Next on the list is Son Havana.This little club hosts the best salsa concerts in the city. 

Open from Wednesday to Saturday, there are free classes on Wednesday and Thursday nights. If you haven’t yet learned to pick up your feet and swing your hips, that’s the time to visit!

The consecrated dancers go from 9:30 p.m. and every weekend there’s a live band from 11:30 p.m. In other words, this place is pretty popping!

Whether you’re just there as a spectator or you’re ready to hit the dance floor, Son Havana is worth checking out.

Baren

Baren has live DJs every night, which means that the party never stops.

Regardless of whether you’re going out for taco and tequila Tuesday or you’re planning to get your groove on on a Saturday night, Barren has got you covered. 

Partygoers love the atmosphere of this place and say that the taste of the liquor here is great. I don’t know if they’re sneaking premium into the standard bottles, but it sure tastes like!

It’s a great place for those who enjoy techno, techno house, house, and deep house music.

Salón Amador

Salon Amador is an exclusive club for people who enjoy electronic music. 

They tend to get some pretty big artists in their doors, both national and international. That means that if you’re in the mood for good music, this is the place to come.

In terms of the vibe, the decoration and atmosphere of the place are some of the best in Medellín. Foreigners and locals like love to visit this place to have fun with friends thanks to the mood in the club.

Bonus: it also has some very good cocktails.

Pub Rock Lleras

If you’re looking for an affordable place to hang out and listen to rock music, you’ve got to check out Pub Rock Lleras. 

This place is pretty much everything you look for in a bar: cheap, fun, and not uptight.

Whether you’re interested in getting rowdy or just want a round or two of beers to split with friend, Pub Rock Lleras is a fun time. 

Vintrash

If you’re one of those who enjoys an excellent beer, Vintrash is the place for you. They offer excellent beers on tap that will hve you coming back for more!

What’s really cool about Vintrash is that they host regular events. For instance, there’s a Tuesday night meetup where you can learn Spanish with fellow foreigners.

After the meetup, there’s a party that lasts until the wee hours of the morning. That’s a pretty great way to spend a Tuesday night!

Sonorama

Sonorama has a stage with robotic lights that will have your heart pumping and your adrenaline rushing. 

In other words, this place is perfect for having a good time with friends and enjoying the night.

Sonorama definitely has more of a club feel than a bar feel. You’ll be hard-pressed to snag a table, but you’ll definitely get your dance moves on.

Trilogía Live Bar

Travelers love to visit this bar, most likely due to the delicious cocktails. You can order anything you like, but the mojitos are a personal favorite. 

Trilogía Live Bar has live music in the evenings. Although it’s not every night, there’s still a good chance you’ll catch some golden entertainment at this venue.

You’ll definitely have a good time, and you’re likely to stay there well into the night since they’re open late. 

Donde Aquellos Bar

Even though it’s a bar, the food at Donde Aquellos Bar is delicious. Make sure you’ve got enough room to wash your beer down with a burger!

Apart from the good food and fast service, Donde Aquellos is a pretty run-of-the-mill bar. 

Still, it’s a nice place to finish off the week with some pals. 

Enjoy the Nightlife Medellín Has to Offer

Medellín is a place worth visiting for locals and foreigners alike. This city will make you feel alive and the joy of the people will infect you. This city is full of tradition, culture, and fun.

Don’t believe us? Just check out one of the nightclubs we listed! We’re pretty sure you’ll love it. Let us know in the comments what your experience was like. 

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The Birth of the Project

Bardesono is a passion project of one of the owners, and that passion is evident in every single aspect of the venue. Rubén Tobón had the idea for the concept during a visit to Switzerland in 2013. Before an evening at the opera, Rubén went to a café to have a drink. As he sat at the bar, he heard a beautiful voice singing, which belonged to one of the waitresses. Rubén loved the combination of food, drink, and live singers so much that, upon returning to his home city of Medellín, he got to work recreating the concept of live music and dining for a Paisa audience.

Upon our visit we were warmly greeted and shown to our table: a small and cozy spot with velvet cushioned seats and a great view of the semi-open kitchen. The dining room is large and spacious, but the smart use of low light retains an intimacy that is often lost in larger venues. On the Thursday night that we visited, just one week after the grand opening, the elegant dining room was almost at capacity with a varied clientele.

Once seated, we were given the menu, which was an event in itself. The food has been thoughtfully curated by Argentinian-trained Colombian chef Alejandra Mejia, using local and international ingredients to create an innovative take on classic dishes. Each cocktail and plate is named after a song to tie in with the venue’s musical theme, which adds a bit of fun to choosing your meal.

The Drinks

I asked for a New York, New York cocktail to start with, which was 26,900 COP ($9.74) and was a beautiful blend of vodka, fresh red apple, juniper, ginger beer, lemon and peppermint. The flavor was fresh and light, with a gentle warmth from the spicy ginger beer and the generous slug of vodka. The drinks menu is impressive, and, in addition to the list of interesting cocktails, there is a gin and tonic list, a selection of sangrias, several beers, wines and juices, and the best list of spirits and liquors that I’ve seen in my four months in Medellín.

The Food

Onto the food, and my friend and I chose an entrada to share. We went for the Soy Antioqueño, which was 27,900 COP ($10.11). The dish consisted of perfectly grilled morcilla (blood sausage), thinly sliced and fried chips made from a South American root vegetable called arracacha, and a mayonnaise flavored with hondashi, which is made from smoked and dried Bonito fish and used widely in Japanese cuisine. The textures and the flavors worked perfectly together, and the portion size was just right for a shared appetizer.

Other sharing starters include perhaps the best plate of nachos that I have ever seen and a delicate octopus dish served with edible flowers and white vegetables. If you don’t want to split an entrada, there’s also a rich, roasted tomato soup and an arepa dish with cheese and bacon, which are both perfect for one.

For our main course, we went for Somos Pacífico and El Día Que Me Quieras. Somos Pacífico, which my friend ordered, was 41,900 COP ($15.18) and consisted of a beautifully cooked piece of salmon flavored with a citrus and smoked tandoori marinade. It was served with laban, cucumber jus and melon gazpacho. The plate was bursting with freshness, and the smoky spiced marinade complemented the delicate flavor of the fish perfectly.

My chosen dish was centered on beef, which is something that I rarely order in Medellín as it tends to be tough. But, my 200-gram portion of chateaubriand was melt-in-the-mouth perfection. It was cooked medium rare, as requested, and was incredibly tasty and tender. The star of the show was accompanied by mushrooms, potato puree, beans, and a brilliant combination of an acidic vinaigrette and a rich and deep sauce. At just 38,900 COP ($14.10), this is a spectacular dish for a great price. In addition to the dishes that we ordered, there are four other tempting entrees, including a meat-free rice and zucchini plate and a burger that looks so good that I need to have a second visit to try it.

The Music

Now for the entertainment. The in-house artistic director, Lalis Solórzano, curates the musical program, which includes traditional favorites, such as tango and salsa, as well as other party-oriented songs from genres like rock and pop.

Every year six students are selected from local universities to perform songs for diners. These talented singers perform throughout the evening in the dining room, and each Sunday other performers from the local community also put on a family-themed show during brunch service. Social programs are at the forefront of the venue, and at the end of each year one of the six student performers will be selected for a full scholarship to the USA or Europe to study singing, with all costs being covered by the owners of Bardesono.

The Passion

The word that sums up Bardesono for me is passion: for the food and drink, the service, the performances, and the community which it serves. At once, you are transported to a place far away from Medellín. It’s easy to forget where you are: Bardesono kind of consumes every one of your senses in a way that other restaurants just aren’t capable of.

Hours and Location

Calle 8 #43a-57, El Poblado

Open 4pm – 12am Tuesday to Thursday, 5pm – 1am Friday and Saturday, and 9am – 3pm Sunday

https://www.facebook.com/bardesonomedellin/

https://www.instagram.com/bardesono_/

All photos courtesy of Bardesono.

This post was written in collaboration with Bardesono.

About Sophie

Sophie is a freelance writer from the north of England. She has been traveling and working in South America since August 2017, and currently lives in Medellín. She runs the blog Table for One, where she writes about what it’s really like to travel as a solo woman.

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Forget about it.

Colombian music is going through a revamp revolution, and it has been for years.

Much like during the Literary “Boom,” musical artists have popped up suddenly and simultaneously with sounds from their childhood mixed with rhythms introduced to them as young adults and, as a result, have given birth to an array of beautiful new Colombian-international sounds.

I’ve always been a fan of Latin American music. In my house, since my parents were in their 20’s when I was growing up, we listened to Soda Stereo, Héroes del Silencio, Carlos Vives, Maná, Ekhymosis (whose lead singer was Juanes), lots of salsa, and I listened to Shakira tirelessly.

*cue image of child me belly dancing in the living room*

However, a new age of music is coming around and the youth of the country is open to new sounds and tastes that brew in a big melting pot of beats together with our own Cumbia, Pacific music, Salsa, and lots of others.

This mix of sounds isn’t unheard of, back in the 90s bands started experimenting and creating, however, in my opinion, it had never been as present as it is now with the number of great bands we have in the country.

With the Latin Grammys coming up, I thought we could use a catch-up of what music is being made in Colombia. Here are 10 of these bands, in no particular order.

Whether it’s swaying, bouncing, jumping, salsa-ing, or bopping, you can’t stay still listening to them.

1. Bomba Estéreo: Tropical, Electronic, Cumbia

Founded in Bogotá in 2005, Bomba Estéreo‘s music has been described as an electro-tropical or psychedelic cumbia. It’s party music, their name translating to Stereo Bomb, it’s meant to be danced to, jumped to, grinded to- if you will- or whatever else gets you moving.

They’ve been influenced by Sidestepper, and Bloque De Búsqueda, which, though they might not have been exactly what I heard, sound shockingly like everything I danced to with my dad in the car at seven years old.

“Somos Dos”  in particular I really like to get my hips moving to. It feels really tropical and party-worthy. Among other great songs, they have the super catchy “Fuego” which mixes lots of sounds from my childhood: some rock, cumbia and electronic.

They’ve won the 2010 Iggy Award for Best New Band with Estalla, the 2012 iTunes Award for Best New Artist with Elegancia Tropical, the 2013 Shock Magazine Award for Best Group with “Pura Sabrosura” From Elegancia Tropical and were nomintaed for the 2013 Latin Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album for Elegancia Tropical.

“Somos Dos” is from their new album.

2. Monsieur Periné: ‘Suin a la Colombiana’

Monsieur Periné started spontaneously in the large central plaza of Villa de Leyva where a few of the members met and played their instruments while lead singer Catalina sang. Their sound is a mix of jazz, pop, swing, and Colombian sounds- what they call suin a la Colombiana.

Catalina García, lead singer, grew up in a French immersion school in Cali and spent two years in the United States, so their music has bits of other languages (lots of French) mixed with Spanish and influence from several countries’ rhythms.

Their hometown is Bogotá, but they’ve toured the country and have traveled to a number of countries to play their music (they recently finished an international tour).

Monsieur Periné is a relatively new band, but they have become familiar to the Colombian population quickly.

Much of this has to do with the fact that they appeal to the country’s Latin American identity with Catalina’s typical Colombian wardrobe for concerts and the covers of songs close to Colombia’s heart, like “Sabor a mí” and “Bésame Mucho.”

They now have two albums available, Hecho a Mano (2012) and Caja de Música (2015) which maintain throughout them a common thread of sounds but show a true evolution of the band as they settle into their own skin.

They’re a great band to see live (I saw them in Manizales in 2014) and they show a real sense of Colombia’s Music Revolution in their mix of sounds, youthful vibe and determination.

Other recommended songs: “La Muerte” and “Suin Romanticón.”

3. Herencia de Timbiquí: Salsa, Pacific, Reggae

This band was recommended to me by a member of another band on this list (more on that later) and since then, I haven’t failed to show all my friends and relatives my deep affection for this project.

Herencia de Timbiquí is made up of 11 African-Colombian musicians from the vicinity of Timbiquí, Cauca and they mix lots of wonderful sounds.

When they started, they incorporated Marimba (an instrument similar to the xylophone) and the drums, and later using also the bass and keyboard.

Their songs are really diverse, some focus on salsa, while others bring out reggae and others really Pacific rhythms with the Marimba, so they don’t all sound the same.

They started out in 2000 with the idea of mixing folkloric Pacific music with contemporary urban rhythms and beats.

Their albums include “Tambó” (2011) and “This is Gozar” (2014).

I personally love “A tu Manera” and “Amanece” and I am keeping an eye out to see these guys live.

4. Esteban Copete y Su Kinteto Pacífico- Pacific

I didn’t know much about Kinteto Pacífico before researching more for this article.

When I heard them, I knew they had to be included in the list. Not only were they super collaborative, telling me their story, they are exactly what I’m talking about.

These guys compose their own songs but also adapt popular songs to Pacific rhythms, an example of this is their version of the salsa song “Cuídala” by the Lebron Brothers, this is their adaptation. Home run.

Esteban Copete is the grandson of Petronio Alvarez, a famous musician and folklorist, composer of the infamous “Mi Buenaventura.” So the group defines its identity with that name, saying it all began with him.

Copete is from Chocó, but went to Universidad del Valle to study music and became a city man, which led him to believe in the fusion of sounds from his home and those that are more modern.

The group has played all over the country but hasn’t come to Medellín for a while and don’t have any Medellín appearances planned. (Someone do something!)

Their first album is titled “Goza con mi Bambasongo” and the second is self-titled.

5. Chocquibtown- Urban, Hip Hop, Alternative

If you’ve kept an eye on Colombian music at all, you’ve probably heard of these guys.

Chocquibtown is a band whose name brakes up what they are: Choc (taken from Chocó, a region of Colombia), Quib (taken from Quibdó, its capital) and Town (meaning just that, their town).

The group is made up of just three Choco natives: Goyo, Tostao and Slow Mike.

Their sound, according to their website,  mixes, funk, hip hop, reggae, pop, “latin rhythms,” and elements from electronic music. They’ve been nominated for Latin Grammys numerous times. They won one with “De donde vengo yo” or “where I come from”.

Their first album “Somos Pacífico” was released in 2006. Their two most recent albums “Eso Es Lo Que Hay” went gold and in 2013 they released “Behind The Machine,” for which they were nominated for a Grammy.

They collaborated on “El Mar de Sus Ojos” with Carlos Vives in 2014, a song that debuted at #1 on Billboard.

They also worked with other Latin American artists on “Creo en América,” a song created for the Copa América soccer championship and with Carlos Santana and Ziggy Marley. In 2015 they released “El Mismo,” their latest album.

Lately, their sound has become a bit more “pop” in my opinion, bringing me nostalgia for the old urban Chocquibtown, but I’ll always have “De donde vengo yo.”

6. Systema Solar- Musical-Visual Collective

Systema Solar is a group that began in 2006. They’re a self-declared musical/visual collective from the Caribbean region of Colombia.

Its members are all from different places in Colombia and, therefore, each bring diverse sounds to the group: in the African ascendent vibes, they found infinite possibilities to strengthen Colombia’s music.

They want to create musical/visual shows with their particular style that they call “Berbenautika.”

They recreate Cumbia, Fandango, Champeta, and Bullerengue, all mostly Caribbean sounds. As sound intermediaries, or connectors they use electronic tools with cultural rhythms and styles like Hip Hop, House, Techno, Break Beats, Scratching and live video.

They’ve participated in the South Festival by South West SXSW and have toured Europe through Festivals like the Glastonbury in the U.K, the Roskilde in Denmark, Couleur Café in Belgium, Fusion in Germany, and Cabaret Sauvage in France. They were nominated by Shock magazine for best group of the year in Colombia.

The members go by the names of Jhon Primera, Indigo, Pellegrino, Daniboom, Pata de Perro, DJ Corpas and Andrew.

Their albums include “Systema Solar,” “La Revancha del Burro,” and “Tumbamurallas.”

7. Los Villamarin- Rock, Rap and R&B

Los Villamarín is a Cali-born group that started out in 2010. They mix acoustic and electronic sounds to form a mix of Rock, Rap and R&B.

They were in the top-ten finalists of the TV show Colombia Tiene Talento and have been releasing a few singles and recording EPs (meaning they’re still new and fresh and not mainstream yet).

They’re made up of four members: a beautiful female lead singer and three snazzy musicians. I think we can expect a whole lot from this group.

8. Puerto Candelaria- from Jazz Fusion to Winds and Female Lead

Puerto Candelaria has been around for over a decade, 15 years to be exact. They’re one of the pioneer bands of this revolution. Almost all of the members of Puerto Candelaria over the years have been Paisas.

A few months back, I got together with a couple of the members (Juancho and Eduardo) and wrote a type of collective Paisa Perspective on the band.

We talked about the places they’ve toured (almost all continents) their culture shock in Asian countries, their love for Latin America. While we spoke, they even recommended groups like Herencia de Timbiquí, Monsieur Periné and Crew Peligrosos.

Since then, their members have changed up a bit, Maga La Maga (Magaly Alzate) was added as their lead singer.

While at one point they were a jazz fusion type of band, they have now morphed into a sound that receives a female voice better, they are now welcoming wind instruments more and I’m really excited to see what they have to offer with the new female addition.

They have a live album/DVD of their U.S. tour Amor y Deudas/ Love and Debts, also Vuelta Canela, Llegó La Banda, and Cumbia Rebelde. 

They are super fun group to see live, they have great collaborations with other Colombian artists and they’re incredibly nice and humble.

They’re also playing a Halloween show this month on the 31st, a costume concert! Follow their Facebook for more details.

9. Crew Peligrosos- Hip-Hop

What I like about Crew Peligrosos is that they have a social purpose behind their music.

Their founder is Henry Arteaga of Comuna 4 (Aranjuez to be exact). He grew up on one of the most dangerous blocks in Medellín at a time when violence was the only option for survival.

However, he decided against it. He fights violence with a gang turned youth group that focus on music, street art and breakdance.

Hip hip culture is what drives this anti-violence group. They have a strict and punctual school that doesn’t settle for less than excellence. According to El Espectador, more than 200 young people take classes there.

The band’s name is ironic. They’re no danger; they’re the solution.

Hip-hop, as we’ve seen before, can be one of the solutions to many criminal and violent issues around the world, and it’s doing it for Medellín in several areas, like Comuna 13.

It’s no coincidence that one of their songs and albums is entitled “Medayork.” Medellín is renovating, in parts, in the same patterns that parts of New York have in the past.

Their albums inclue “Medayork” and  “Madafunkies.”

10. Zalama Crew- Urban, Funk, Soul, Reggae, Afro

Much like Crew Peligrosos, Zalama Crew is committed to society. This band, however, is from Cali.

The group is made up of 10 live artists: drums, bass, guitar, flute, DJ, percussion, real-time Vj and Mc’s.

Their song “Contracorriente” is just an example of how they bring up real life issues to the general public through music, with their lyrics “we’re tired of nothing being done, of our people being deceived.”

Here, however, we see a lot more mix of rhythms. It’s not just hip-hop or rap or urban. Zalama Crew involves sounds from all over the country and international jazzy ones as well.

They played in Rock Al Parque 2015, along with Cafe Tacvba and Los Cafres and have won several awards including the Shock Band Festival Award in 2010, 1st place in New Mestiza Music (or half-blood music) of the Chamber of Commerce in Bogotá (2011).

They have one album available on iTunes titled Everyday Fight (2013).

Like I said, these are just a few of the great bands in Colombia. You can always find great new bands at music festivals, Ferias, and any other significant event in the city/country.

What are your favorite Colombian bands or artists? Tell us in the comments below. 

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Credit: The first photo of this article was taken by Juntos Worldwide.

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Cumbia is the heartbeat of Latin America, and one of the region’s most popular music genres.

Like most of the music in Colombia, cumbia originated from the Caribbean coast and was a fusion of native music and African found in the northeast of Panama and the coastal town of San Basilio in Colombia during the Spanish colonial times.

It’s even referred to in historical references and newspapers dating back to the 19th century where slaves use to dance to cumbia in houses.

Influenced by salsa and samba, cumbia moves can be danced to a salsa beat. Although not as popular as vallenato, it’s popularity has now spread through the continent from Argentina to Mexico and even as far as North America for those looking for an alternative to salsa.

It is thought that the basic beat evolved from Guinean cumbé music with later influences from New World instruments such as Millo and Gaita flutes and the guacharaca (an instrument similar to the güiro).

Traditionally played with African drums, maracas and flutes (gaitas), cumbia has now incorporated the sounds of a guitar and even the accordion.

Although it began as a courtship dance, it was later mixed with European instruments as well as African.

The percussion came from West African roots and used the tambour mayor which was a drum carved out of a log with animal skin across the top.

There was also the tambour llamador, a smaller version and the tambour which was a two-headed drum that was played with sticks. But Cumbia wouldn’t be cumbia without maracas and a bamboo tube filled with seeds called the gauche.

Nowadays, there are two different types of cumbia. Those who use the traditional cactus wood flutes called “gaitas” and those who use purely percussion instruments called “conjunto de cumbia.”

The Music

The basic step in cumbia is called the back-break basic and has a 2/4 rhythm.

It’s often danced within a circle or a circular pattern called the Columbian.

Cumbia used to be seen as an inappropriate dance being too “sexualized” between men and women. It was a courtship ritual that provided a social interaction between the indigenous Colombians and people of African ancestry.

In the mid-20th century, Cumbia made its way to Medellín and Bogotá via musicians such as Pacho Galán and Lucho Bermudez (with his Orquesta del Caribe), although it wasn’t in its traditional form.

From the 1960s, the music was made simpler with electric instruments such as organ and bass.

Then in the 1990s, DJs from Mexico City modified it and created a variant of cumbia called cumbia sonidera with an organ melody.

This also has the emphasis on electronics within the sounds for the voice and pitch which the DJs were able to do.

One of the legends in cumbia is Armando Hernandez’s born in 1945 who sang the famous song: “La Zenaida.”

As well as mastering how to play the accordion, he also learned how to play the guacharaca.

Totó la Momposina is one of the popular cumbia singers from native Colombian descent.

Her music is inspired by the mix of Native Indian, African and Spanish. Her most popular song is El Pescador.

Other popular Cumbia groups are One Republic and Juanes as well as Thalía and Ninel Conde, Mexican singers.

It’s also known to be mixed with swing as The Medellin Bopper by Minimatic shows.

To learn cumbia in Medellín, Dance Free offer private dance classes to learn this popular dance.

For social dancing, try one of Medellín’s many crossover clubs. Find the good ones in Medellin Living’s nightlife guide.

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Come to Colombia and you can hear a variety of different beats, some traditional and some influenced from other cultures.

Traditional Colombian music can be divided by four different zones: the Pacific coast, the Andean region and the Eastern Plains as well as the Caribbean coast which produces some of the most popular music in Colombia.

Cumbia, mapalé and porro are music styles which originate from the Caribbean coast and are known for their vibrant rhythms.

Porro is a lively dance and is considerably faster than cumbia. Porro is a type of music that is part of the cumbia ensemble, which is made up of four different types of music: cumbia, gaita, puya and porro.

Porro and puya are faster than the first two which are performed at a leisurely tempo. Porro is played mostly by orchestras and brass bands, and is a Colombian cumbia rhythm which developed into its own genre of music.

Originally from the Sinú River area as Caribbean folklore, porro was performed on native instruments it is danced in pairs and since evolved into a ballroom dance.

Here’s how it is performed as the Porro Modern Moon and sea Jaramillos latin dance:

Porro is divided into two parts: porro palitiao and porro tapao.

Played by a bombo drum, it produces the sound of a cowbell which gives the term “palitiao” its name. Porro tapao is associated with the savannas around Cartagena and is also known as porto sabanero.

Traditionally, the instruments used are: the bombo drum, clarinet, gaita flutes, trombone, trumpet and tuba, consisting of mainly brass instruments for a more energetic sound.

Porro was practiced in people’s houses before it became an integral part of working-class culture in Medellín in the 1950s, and in the mid-1980s people began to dance the porro marcado with more emphasis on the beat.

Fused with moves from salsa and tango, porro was then taken to the dance halls in the 1990s.

Now popular with younger audiences than the traditional ballroom dancing crowd, it is even taught in schools.

Here’s a video of two children strutting their porro dance moves in Medellín:

Popular Porro Singers

In 1938 “Marbella,” by Orquesta del Caribe, composed by clarinetist Lucho Bermudez and was released on Colombia’s first record label founded in 1934.

Bermudez was known as an innovator of the style of porro and helped make porro popular and reach a wider audience in Colombia through Radio Cartagena.

He was also among the first to introduce porro to a different audience to that of the working-class by introducing it into social clubs in Bogotá, Cali, La Costa and also Medellín.

Bermudez brought it to another level with the presence of Bermudez’s orchestra and jazz arrangements.

Other well known porro artists are Toto La Momposina, a national treasure in Colombia.

Inspired by a mix of Native India and Africa music, she has developed her own signature style and now tours around the world.

Pacho Galán was also known for the genre. A Colombian composer of several different forms including porro who passed away in 1979.

Where To Hear Porro

It’s difficult to find classes for porro in Medellín, but you may be able to hear the occasional song in crossover bars in the city.

The best place to hear porro is at the Porro Festival, held in San Pelayo, Córdoba in the north of Colombia. The event has been held since 1977 and is the meeting place for hundreds of bands in the Sucre and Cordoba area.

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Although Colombia is a melting pot of musical genres of different origins, there is one popular genre that originated within the country.

Influenced by Afro-European beats, vallenato is a form of folk music born in the Caribbean villages of the Valledupar region of Colombia.

It’s completely different from salsa, and although not as popular, you’ll still hear it throughout the streets and bars, and especially along the coast.

The word translates to “born in the valley” and like many origins of music, vallenato stems from the lower class and farmers of the region who used to travel with their musical instruments to entertain themselves on their journeys.

The songs tell tales of romantic love and often express humility and heartbreak.

The Music of Vallenato

Featuring the accordion, which was introduced to the Caribbean coast in the 1900s by the Europeans, vallenato is also traditionally played with a caja – a small drum originally used by African slaves played like a bongo, and a guacharaca, a percussion instrument, which is generally a piece of bamboo hollowed with grooves that replicates the call of the bird from the same region, called a guacharaco.

A vallenato group may also include a bassist, guitarist and keyboardist.

Vallenato has four varieties of main beats, with only two that you can really dance along to.

Puya and merengue are the ones for dancing and are reasonably easy to follow, whilst son and paseo are played at a slower pace with a melancholy feel.

Puya is the oldest form of vallenato and similar to merengue, except for less lyrics and a solo for each of the three main instruments.

Merengue is the most narrative form and thus used in festivities. If you fancy learning the basics of the merengue steps, watch the video above to get started.

You can also sign up for lessons at Santo Baile.

Popular Vallenato Singers

Gilberto Alejandro Durán Diaz is a vallenato legend.

Born in 1919, the singer, composer and accordion player won the first version of the Vallenato Legend Festival and has his place in the history books.

His music was so popular, singers from more modern times still covered his songs.

A more recent artist was Kaleth Morales. Born in 1984, he was known as the leader of the new wave vallenato movement.

In 2003, his first single, a fresh sound on traditional vallenato music called “Voy a Atraparte” was a huge hit.

Tragically, he passed away in 2005 after a car accident in northern Colombia.

Today, Carlos Vives reigns as Colombia’s most popular vallenato singer.

The Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning megastar from Santa Marta, who also sings cumbia is so popular that he’s just been cited for the Legend Award by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation.

Praised as an alluring vocalist, Vives climbed onto the Latin America charts in 1994 with his song “La Gota Fria” and there’s been no stopping him since. “Carito” is another early favorite.

His own label, called Gaira, helps promotes and incentivize other local artists in his genre.

Silvestre Dangond, who is just a few years younger than Vives, has received four Latin Grammy nominations to-date, but has yet to win one.

Awards aside, he’s a superstar in Colombia, and routinely sells out concerts to thousands of adoring fans who come to see him sing hits like “Me Gusta,” “Cantinero” and “La Tartamuda.”

In traditional vallenato, the singers also played the accordion and for those who choose to be a vallenato accordionist, the biggest accolade is being awarded the Rey de Reyes crown every ten years. The next is in 2017.

Where to Hear Vallenato in Medellín

Carito is a 500-person club in the heart of Parque Lleras. They feature crossover music, with a stage for live vallenato performances. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Address: Carrera 38 #8-8, Parque Lleras.

El Templo del Vallenato is another option. Open from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m., seven days a week. Find them at Carrera 70 #47-23, Medellín.

Vallenato is routinely played in Medellín’s crossover clubs, along with merengue, bachata, salsa and reggaeton. Check out Medellín Living’s nightlife guide for more bars and clubs.

Countywide, Tsunami Vallenato hold big vallenato events in different cities such as Bogotá and Bucaramanga with various artists.

Although not to everyone’s tastes, vallenato is traditionally Colombian and if you’re thinking of taking a trip up north, the best place to hear vallenato is in Cartagena, on a chiva with your very own live group in tow.

Regionally, vallenato is also popular in Venezuela, and can be heard to a lesser degree in neighboring Panama and Ecuador too.

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In his second article for Medellín Living, contributor Nick Bowman introduces us to Juan Deraout, DJ, producer and Founder of Intelligent Division.

1. Juan, tell us a little bit about you and your history in the music industry.

I have been in the music industry for around fourteen years and about ten years in techno. The first four years I was experimenting and finding the style I like.

Since the beginning, I’ve been DJ’ing and promoting music because it’s the only way to get well-known and get gigs.

2. What first got your interest in techno?

When I was a teenager I used to listen to a lot of punk, Depeche Mode and Kraftwerk. Techno was the electronic music most similar to the industrial sounds I have in my background, so that’s why I first got interested in techno.

3. How did you start as a DJ?

When I first heard electronic music, I saw the DJ and felt like the DJ is the guy who doesn’t play instruments but he can play music and make people have fun. So I became interested in doing what this guy was doing.

I met a friend of my sister’s, Maurice, who was a DJ and he invited me to a DJ booth for one night, and I fell in love with it. I met Theo around fourteen years ago, and his aunt had a club.

We went to the club every Friday and Saturday at six in the evening to take the rubbish out, and they let us play with the equipment for an hour. We were trying to learn everything and Maurice was teaching us as well.

4. Intelligent Division is a name synonymous with putting on high quality techno events in Colombia. When did it start? Who are its members? What are the aims of the collective?

My friend Theo and me went to a festival on the beach about eight years ago. We played there with people from Bogotá, Cali and other places around the world.

We realized that everybody there had a brand, a crew or a label to work for, a name to push. So I came back from the festival with a lot of inspiration because I met a lot of DJs there and had this idea to form a group.

I thought of the name Intelligent Division because at the time in the city there was a lot of electronic music but no real direction. There was no group pushing techno.

So we were the like the Intelligent Division of the city, trying to push something that wasn’t so popular like the commercial house, trance and tribal house music at that time.

I got my friends together at the time; Theo, Camilo Serna, Giggs and a good friend who is a graphic designer and we became a crew. I’m pretty sure we were the first people to put on 100 percent techno parties in the city.

At the moment we have five DJs: Richie, Theo, Juli Monslave, Camilo Serna and myself and Rabbid who is the VJ.

The next step is to start our own label. When people hear about Medellín techno in other countries, they think straight away about Intelligent Division.

So the next step is to make Medellín techno and have a proper Medellín techno style to show to other DJs and to the world. It’s going to be called ID Records.

6. What have been some of your favorite events put on by Intelligent Division over the years?

That’s a really hard question because we’ve brought big names like Marcel Dettmann and Chris Liebing.

We’ve had a lot of very good nights, but I think the festival we did last year, Festival Sol Luna was the biggest thing we have done. A festival, you can’t imagine! You can be professional doing club nights, but a festival is totally different.

Also, the first CLR night we did four years ago with Chris Liebing and Monoloc because this was the first official CLR party in South America. They trusted in us, and that means a lot to me.

7. Tell us about the recent event with Cell Injection.

The show was like a dream for me because Drumcell and Audio Injection are very good friends, and they have been playing in Colombia for at least five years and at least once a year. People love Drumcell and Audio Injection here.

I went to the Movement Festival in Detroit this year, and I heard those guys playing the Cell Injection show. I was like; we need to do this in Medellín because this is amazing.

It’s a huge show, and those guys are becoming bigger every day. So in two or three years time this is not going to be easy having Drumcell and Audio Injection playing at the same night, so that was the idea.

We had the party at ID Club (Capital Club) on Las Palmas. It was a great night, around four hundred people having a great time. The music was super strong; it’s not easy techno, it’s PROPER techno. The party was super good. Everybody was having fun and dancing all night.

The DJs who played before played a lot of good stuff too. We went to the after hours; we had a lot of fun!

8. You recently travelled to the USA and played at techno’s home city, Detroit. How was it?

It was amazing; a dream come true. If you like techno, if you love techno and if you are DJ who plays techno, Detroit is a dream. You have to play Detroit. I played at a very famous club in the Detroit Underground techno scene, The Works.

I played in the middle of two huge names in the scene. I played after Hyperactive, and I played before Angel Alanis. I got scared when I saw the line up because it’s not easy to go to the USA and play between two of the biggest techno names for the USA.

But everything was super good, and I had an amazing time, it was a big experience for me.

9. What are your personal objectives as a DJ and Producer for the next few years?

The next step for my career is more production. We’re going to release the label at the end of this year. I’ve been working for Native Instruments for one year.

I’m part of the Native Instruments artist selection in South America, so I have many events with Native Instruments coming soon in other countries in South America.

Keep travelling a lot and promoting techno because that’s the main point of my life.

10. The next event is on Friday October 10th with one of the world’s biggest names in techno; Speedy J. Where is the event taking place?

He’s the biggest name in techno, man. Speedy J is the father of all this. The event is going to take place at ID Club (Capital Club) km 5 Las Palmas.

It’s a special night because it’s an Electric Deluxe official night, and it’s the first time Speedy J is playing for Intelligent Division in Colombia.

It’s going to be a very special night for the city because it is a medium-sized club for six hundred or five hundred people. As soon as we have sold five hundred tickets we will stop selling.

We will have five hundred people dancing with the best techno artist in the world, with an amazing sound system and with amazing visuals by the VJ, Rabbid. It will be a special night for Speedy J too.

This is going to be more intimate and more personal. It’s going to be a deep experience.

Playing alongside Speedy J will be Deraout and Richie.

Ticket Info

• ID Store – Intelligent Division Store
• Tickets can be bought at all Animal X gyms. There are gyms in Poblado, Laureles, Envigado, Bello and Centro.
• To buy online, click here.
• Facebook event page
• Telephone and Whatsapp: 580-2033 – 315-296-6325

For your weekly techno fix, visit Mansion Club where Intelligent Division has its residency and where a whole array of quality techno and house events go down every Friday and Saturday.

Intelligent Division members – Deraout, Juli Monslave, Richie, Theo and Camilo Serna.

I will be playing at Mansion Club (Carrera 36 #10-37, Poblado) this Saturday September 13th alongside Puresque from Berlin.

Puresque regularly play at the legendary Tresor in Berlin and also release music on its label.

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Editor’s Note: This is the first post in a new series by Nick Bowman, a DJ and Radio Host from England.

You could be forgiven for thinking that nightlife in Medellín consists of bar hopping in Parque Lleras from reggaeton to salsa, salsa to vallenato, vallenato to bachata, bachata to cumbia etc, etc., blah blah blah.

Not that I have anything against the aforementioned genres, I like a lot of old salsa and appreciate elements of the others, but if we’re talking about going out and partying, they just don’t cut the mustard for me. Thankfully, those are not the only options.

Medellín has a thriving underground techno and house scene. It has been dubbed the techno capital of South America, and given the amount of events and international DJs playing in Medellín, it would be hard to argue with that.

In this first post, I will be looking at a recent event I attended, and following it up tomorrow with an interview with the promoter and DJ.

In future posts, I intend to talk about the clubs, bars, promoters, DJs and producers who makeup this vibrant movement.

I don’t intend to look at commercial electronic music, music from the likes of Steve Aoki, Avicii and David Guetta.

There is a commercial scene here as well, but it really isn’t my cup of tea, so I will leave that for someone else to look at.

I recently attended an event put on by Intelligent Division, the longest running techno collective in the city.

The invited DJs were techno heavyweights Drumcell and Audio Injection from Los Angeles. Two DJs with stellar reputations for delivering powerful performances and both with a huge back catalogue of releases under their belts.

When they play together, they play as Cell Injection.

The location was Capital Club (ID Club for Intelligent Division nights) at km 5 on Las Palmas. The club has a large dance floor with some tables and chairs skirting it.

Juli Monslave, one of the best-known techno female Colombian DJs, was kicking the night off nicely with some driving but groovy techno.

The dance floor and the club as a whole were filling up nicely with clubbers full of anticipation for a techno fueled dance fest.

Next up was Deraout, the founder of Intelligent Division. He picked up from where Juli left off, in what was a truly inspired set full of heavy hitting numbers, industrial, but also full of funk that built the crowd up to a frenzy.

Deraout left to the cheers and applause of the appreciative party people as he handed over the DJ booth to Cell Injection.

Cell Injection continued in Deraout’s vein, but now it was later and peak time so they could really go full on, hell for leather.

And that’s what they did, from start to finish their set kept the whole place rockin’ and lost in the music until sunrise, with moody, dark and aggressive infused techno which gave the crowd no respite and left them gasping for air but itching for more.

Luckily in Medellin if you want more, there often is more.

After parties are plentiful, they may not always be advertised but ask around at the club for “El remate” (The after party) and there is a good chance you will be pointed in the right direction.

I was feeling energetic and decided to continue.

The after party was at a finca on Las Palmas with beautiful views over Medallo.

When I arrived, Andres Gil was playing. Andres is a DJ and prolific techno music producer from Medellin.

I have been supporting his tracks for a number of years, and he never fails to impress.

The sun was up, and the music suited the hour, taking on a less relentless nosebleed techno to a more stripped back and groovy techno and tech house.

Camilo Serna followed Andres Gil for a set full of funky, groove based techno for which he is well-known. Camilo is a very well-known techno DJ from the city.

We first met in England, where we played together. We have also since played at several events together here in Colombia.

Camilo had the after party in full swing as the sun started to warm the city and as I began to feel like a vampire.

It was around 8:30am when my bed began calling me, I hailed a taxi and was quickly whisked back home where I collapsed into my bed, still with the pulsating but satisfying four to the floor beats ringing in my ears.

I don’t know what time the after party finished, maybe until midday, maybe all day or maybe it’s still going…..

For your weekly techno fix, visit Mansion Club where Intelligent Division has its residency and where a whole array of quality techno and house events go down every Friday and Saturday.

Intelligent Division members – Deraout, Juli Monslave, Richie, Theo and Camilo Serna.

I will be playing at Mansion Club (Carrera 36 #10-37, Poblado) this Saturday September 13th alongside Puresque from Berlin.

Puresque regularly play at the legendary Tresor in Berlin and also release music on its label.

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