Arriving at the third annual Pachanga! Fest felt like walking into a big family reunion. People were friendly, as they walked from stage to stage in the small park, gathering to sit together in shaded areas or break a sweat dancing. The perfect temperature, plenty of cold beer on hand, cute little children running through the grass and constant music coming from the festival’s four intimate stages made for a welcoming atmosphere where it was just as easy to be front and center for each performance as it was to find a dancing partner in the crowd.
Two smaller stages at the east end of the park with the backdrop of Town Lake hosted smaller bands, a tented Chicano stage held nine-piece big band Bombasta and a cumbia DJ performance, and the large Pavilion area held sixteen-member performances from Grupo Fantasma and the sprawling female Mariachi troupe Mariachi Las Alteñas.
I’ve never been to a festival, or any show for that matter, where the entire audience knows every word to the songs and you literally you can’t help but move your feet to the beats. As many people I spoke with throughout the day said, “Pachanga was a refreshing change from other music events in Austin.” It wasn’t the average indie-elite show, but still had qualities of innovative performances. The artists actually walked around Fiesta Gardens, talking to fans and supporting other acts. It truly was a fun day of education about Latino music, with over 20 bands serving as examples of the best the genre has to offer.
Girl in a Coma (Photo: Richard Gonzalez)
Early evening of the festival had two striking, yet varying examples of female groups, both of whom drew great attention from the crowd. The rockabilly punk of San Antonio’s Girl in a Coma came from one end of the park, while at the opposite end, the traditional sounds of Mariachi Las Alteñas carried from under the Pavillion Stage. I have to admit, I know very little about traditional Latin music, but I went to the festival with a friend who sang every word belted from Mariachi Las Alteñas, as they encouraged audience participation. The humor of the ladies coupled with their stage presence, musical talent and incredible voices had their crowd ready to pachanga by the second song.
Mariachi Las Alteñas
David Garza on the Patio Stage told the crowd, “You know these songs are meant for dancing, right? I don’t think I even have to tell you this!” Garza offered Americana rock with extra drums. He looked the rock star part on stage as he poured out his heartfelt soul meets anthemic pop. Comparisons to Jeff Buckley are highly accurate as his songwriting ability has Garza creating all-consuming, memorable, engaging melodies.
David Garza
San Antonio’s Bombasta was another surprise highlight. Their set at the Chicano stage started with the audience sitting down relaxing, but ended with there being no choice but to stand up and dance. The band had fun energy, highlighted by their smallest member aggressively shaking maracas throughout the set.
Bombasta
Grupo Fantasma is known as one of the hardest working, funkiest Latin orchestras to come out of the United States in the last decade, and their performance at Pachanga could silence any doubts against this statement. Drawing a large crowd, the band performed solid material from their new album El Existential and were joined on stage by the legendary Grammy awarding winning Larry Harlow.
Larry Harlow on stage with Grupo Fantasma (Photo: Richard Gonzalez)
As evening set, New York’s Pacha Massive provided a chilled-out soundtrack to dusk and followed by the sophisticated pop style of Hacienda. Hacienda recorded under the production of Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, and are sure to be a band to watch this coming year.
Pacha Massive
Hacienda (Photo: Richard Gonzalez)
Pachanga ended the evening with performances from Bomba Estereo and Roberto Pulido. The entire day was one of those instances where you stop, look around, and feel lucky to live in Austin. The third annual Panchanga! Fest was an impressive day of music, and hopefully a sign of more good things to come!
More photos of the crowd and event below:
Sanctuary Printing made t-shirts on site in their El Camino.
Crowd at the Pavilion Stage for Grupo Fantasma
This couple knows how to stay cool.
Dancing at Fiesta Gardens
Dancing to Bombasta
This little one loved Grupo Fantasma
Pacha Massive
Bomba Estereo (Photo: Richard Gonzalez)
