KXCI presents Baila el Pueblo, a vibrant desert music festival celebrating the rich cultural diversity of our region. This exciting event will showcase a dynamic lineup of musical traditions from across the Southwest, bringing together artists, food vendors, and local artisans for an unforgettable experience.
Headlining the Baila el Pueblo festival is internationally acclaimed artist Reyna Tropical. Inspired by the deep-rooted musical traditions of Peru, Colombia, and the Congo, pioneering guitarist and songwriter Fabi Reyna blends and reimagines these influences to craft a unique tropical sound. Other featured artists include Los Esplifs, Native Creed, Hataałii, Nicosa, MizSkoden, and Las Chollas Peligrosas. The Baila el Pueblo poster artwork was created by Alex Jiménez.
Artists performing at Baila el Pueblo Fest
Reyna Tropical
Founded in 2016, Reyna Tropical began as a spontaneous collaboration between Fabi Reyna and Nectali “Sumohair” Díaz, who met at a workshop for emerging musicians. The duo’s self-titled debut EP, released in 2018, laid the foundation for their hypnotic and distinctive sound. Known for their tropical rhythms that make hips sway, their early work combined Díaz’s Afro-Indigenous-inspired drum patterns and ambient samples with Reyna’s dreamy guitar riffs and smooth vocals.
Reyna Tropical’s highly anticipated full-length debut album, Malegría, is both a vibrant arrival and an electrifying bridge between cultures. The title, derived from a 1998 Manu Chao song, blends the Spanish words “mal” (bad) and “alegría” (joy) to capture a bittersweet essence. This album marks Reyna Tropical’s transition from a duo to a solo project, celebrating and continuing deep-rooted cultural traditions. With influences spanning Congolese, Peruvian, and Colombian rhythms, as well as revolutionary artists like the legendary queer Mexican singer Chavela Vargas, Malegría fuses and reinterprets these sounds through Fabi Reyna’s distinct creative lens. The album explores themes of queer love, feminine sensuality, and the transformative power of intentional connections with the land, giving voice to narratives often pushed to the margins and creating a sonic homeland for them.
Los Esplifs
They have been captivating audiences since emerging from Arizona’s DIY scene in 2018, blending Latin American folk music with the bold attitude of American genres like jazz, hip-hop, and punk. Their explosive live performances and high-energy stage antics have earned them a loyal following. Since 2018, they have released three full-length albums: Self-Titled (2019), Estraik Back (2021), and their latest, Chemistry (2023). Their newest single, Cenizas (2024), is now available.
Hataalii
At just 21 years old, Hataałii—the singer, songwriter, and poet born Hataałiinez Wheeler in Window Rock, Arizona, the capital of the Navajo Nation—has emerged as a sharp observer of modern America’s unraveling. His music, a compelling mix of ghost-town anthems and deeply personal reckonings, draws comparisons to Pavement’s Wowee Zowee, Lou Reed’s The Blue Mask, and the cosmic melancholy of Spacemen 3. His latest album, Waiting For A Sign, is his second release under Dangerbird Records and his sixth overall. Having earned praise from SPIN, FLOOD, and Rolling Stone, Hataałii continues to refine his distinct, enigmatic sound.
Other artists featured at Baila el Pueblo
- Mhails (Tucson, AZ): A seasoned percussionist, DJ, and producer with nearly 25 years of experience. Rooted in her Yaqui (Yoeme) and Mayo (Yoreme) heritage, Mhails pays tribute to the rhythms that emerged from Black and Indigenous struggles, aiming to decolonize the dance floor.
- Nicosa: The creative project of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Nicole Paco. Her bold, unfiltered rock & roll sound blends Latin pop, psychedelic influences, and raw guitar-driven energy. Her debut EP, ERA, recorded entirely in analog, showcases a unique mix of Spanish lyricism, infectious rhythms, and introspective depth.
- Las Chollas Peligrosas (Phoenix, AZ): A powerhouse quintet drawing from musical traditions across the Americas. Featuring bilingual five-part harmonies, accordion, violin, classical guitar, percussion, and upright bass, they deliver an unforgettable fusion of traditional and contemporary Latin sounds.
The Baila el Pueblo Fest will be held on Saturday, March 22 – 4 – 10pm MST. Doors at 3:30pm at MSA Annex, 267 South Convent Avenue Tucson, AZ 85745 United States
Join at Baila el Pueblo, where music, culture, and community come together in a celebration of rhythm and roots! Grab your tickets today using the link https://kxcibailaelpueblo.eventbrite.com
