SXSW 2026: Wind gusts couldn’t shake the acts at the De Los showcase

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Even with strong wind gusts, the incredibly talented performers at Sunday night’s De Los showcase at the South by Southwest music festival delivered a fantastic show.

Five musical acts—Nezza, Eddy, Tropa Magica, Vanita Leo, and Hermanos Espinoza—performed on the rooftop of Mala Fama in downtown Austin, even with 30 mph winds. Each group brought a unique style to the Texas stage, showcasing the vibrant and ever-evolving nature of Latin music.

As a total music fan, I was really excited to hear about Nezza’s SXSW performance – it was a dream come true for her! She didn’t just play her hits, though. She gave the audience a sneak peek with an acoustic version of a new song, ‘Stop the Show,’ and then totally blew everyone away with an incredible live dance routine to her song ‘Sweat.’

I was so proud to see Nezza sing the national anthem in Spanish at a Dodgers game last summer – it really made a statement! She and the director, Cristina Costantini, even made a short film about that incredible day called ‘La Tierra del Valor,’ which means ‘The Home of the Brave.’ It’s a beautiful piece that captures everything about that moment.

Nezza, the R&B pop singer, says being on stage is where she loves to be. After a breakout year, which included singing the national anthem in Spanish at Dodger Stadium—an act that led to a short documentary called ‘La Tierra del Valor’—she’s hoping for many more nights performing.

Speaking on Sunday, she highlighted the long-standing and vital role Latinos have played in the history of this nation. She stated, “We’ve always been here,” and expressed optimism about the future, saying, “I think the future’s really bright for us.”

Eddy grew up immersed in Mexican music, with artists like Vicente Fernandez and Juan Gabriel shaping his childhood. Even early in his career, during just his second public performance, he was comfortable engaging the crowd – he even encouraged everyone to have a drink! Though he hasn’t released an album yet, Eddy confidently led the audience in singalongs, performing covers of popular songs like Banda MS’s “A Lo Mejor” and Alejandro Sanz’s “Corazón Partío.”

The singer, originally from Chihuahua, shared his thoughts before taking the stage, saying that Mexican music has a lasting power and he’s dedicated to celebrating it. He wasn’t sure if he’d developed a unique style, but he definitely brings deeper emotion to the music.

Tropa Magica, a band from East L.A., captivated the audience with their unique blend of psychedelic cumbia and rock, even throwing in some spirited howls at the moon. Brothers David and Rene Pacheco formed the duo in 2018, and they’ve observed a welcome shift in the music scene, with more Latin artists moving from smaller venues to larger stages and gaining wider recognition.

After the performance, Rene Pacheco explained that they still perform in a grassroots, informal way. They put their heart and soul into it, and while they may not be aiming for mainstream success, they’re committed to continuing their work.

Okay, so I just saw Vanita Leo perform, and wow. This artist, who proudly reps San Antonio and her love for Hot Cheetos, absolutely killed it on the De Los stage. She brought this incredible energy – think shimmering, upbeat cumbia with a modern, electronic twist. Seriously, it was infectious! Performing alongside her father, Marco Jaime, she took the crowd on a real trip with her song “Solo Tu Bb,” which is packed with synths and just feels… celestial. It’s cumbia, but not like anything I’ve heard before – a really fresh take. Definitely a highlight of the festival!

She shared that cumbia is deeply meaningful to her, both personally and culturally. She also expressed excitement that Mexican Americans and Latinos, who contribute so much to the music industry, are finally receiving more recognition.

Performing at the event felt like a dream come true for brothers Hermanos Espinoza, who proudly shared their norteña music from the Rio Grande Valley. This was especially meaningful as they’re releasing their first studio album on Friday. They began their hour-long performance with their 2024 song, “Dios Por Delante,” which features a powerful accordion intro and a hopeful message about creating a better future.

Joel Espinoza, the vocalist, explained that their main goal is to celebrate and support norteño and regional Mexican music, especially to keep the current exciting momentum going. He believes the genre is experiencing a real revolution right now, and is poised for continued success in the future.

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2026-03-17 01:01