KXCI presents Baila el Pueblo–A Desert Music Festival celebrating our regional cultural diversity. The festival will showcase a vibrant array of musical traditions from around the southwest.
Internationally touring artist Reyna Tropical will headline the festival. Inspired by the wide-reaching cultural traditions of Peru, Colombia, and the Congo, trailblazing guitarist and songwriter Fabi Reyna remixes and melds these influences to create a tropical feel. Regional artists include Los Esplifs, Native Creed, Hataałii, Nicosa, MizSkoden and Las Chollas Peligrosas.
KXCI DJs and listeners fell in love with Reyna Tropical’s debut full-length album Malegría which landed at #11 on KXCI’s Top 100 most-played albums of 2024. Malegría is a vibrant arrival and an electrifying bridge. It marks Reyna Tropical’s movement from a duo to a solo project. The album is a contemporary celebration and continuation of wide-reaching cultural traditions remixed through the distinctive lens of trailblazing guitarist and songwriter Fabi Reyna.
Doors open at 3:30 pm, and the show starts at 4:00 pm at MSA Annex’s iconic festival and event space. Advance general admission tickets are $30 for KXCI Members and $35 in advance for the general public. Tickets can be purchased at all Bookmans locations, online at KXCI.org, and at the door. All tickets will be $40 at the door. Youth 12 and under will be free with adult paid admission.
Food will be available for purchase from local vendors in addition to MSA Annex eateries and bars. Galeria Mitotera will curate a micro artisan market that celebrates Chicanx culture and uplifts artists to inspire one another through art and togetherness.
All proceeds support KXCI’s mission to connect the communities of Tucson and Southern Arizona to each other and to the world with informative, engaging, and creative community-based programming.
KXCI Executive Director Elva De La Torre welcomes all to attend. “Baila el Pueblo is about bringing the community together in celebration of music that uplifts us. Let’s come out to connect and unite in dance to the sounds of Reyna Tropical and our exceptional local and regional musicians. You are in for a fantastic day-long outdoor festival filled with great music, food, and community. See you there!”
KXCI Music Director and festival organizer Duncan Hudson said: “I’m so excited about this lineup which brings together incredible regional artists representing a range of voices; from Latin American folkloric traditions to Tohono O’odham waila social dance music, threading folk rock, psychedelic cumbia and indie pop with rhythms from Latin and Indigenous communities for everyone to connect on the dance floor.”
KXCI Community Radio is grateful for sponsorship from the City of Tucson, Rio Nuevo, Visit Tucson, and Kappcon.
KXCI presenta Baila el Pueblo, un festival de música del desierto que celebra la diversidad cultural de nuestra región. El festival destaca una variedad de tradiciones musicales de todo el suroeste. Habrá vendedores de comida locales y artesanos.
La artista Reyna Tropical encabezará el festival. Inspirándose en las amplias tradiciones culturales de Perú, Colombia y el Congo, la innovadora guitarrista y compositora Fabi Reyna remezcla y fusiona estas influencias para crear una sensación tropical. Artistas regionales incluyen Los Esplifs, Native Creed, Hataałii, Nicosa, MizSkoden y Las Chollas Peligrosas.