Latest news with #CarínLeón
San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Carín León battles through vocal struggles to close La Onda festival
It may sound harsh to call Carín León's headlining set at La Onda a disappointment, but if you asked the singer from Sonora, he might nod in agreement. León took the main stage Sunday, June 1, with visible strain and an ailing voice, powering through a closing set that capped the second edition of Wine Country's Latin-focused festival with more grit than glory. His delivery — hoarse, limited, at times painfully distant from his signature resonance — was far from the vocal force that has propelled him into the upper tiers of Latin music stardom. Still, he pressed on. 'There is no fire in my voice,' he admitted to the crowd, 'but I'm going to put heart into it.' That became the mantra of the night. What followed was near- 80 minutes of raw effort and improvised remedies: a red elixir (Chloraseptic throat spray? Tequila?), a banana between songs, apologies to the tens of thousands gathered in front of the La Onda stage. Ever the professional, León never walked off stage (albeit ending his set five minutes early) but he couldn't rise to the performance either. The crowd — warm, forgiving and singing along — carried the set as much as he did. There were highlights. His rendition of 'Tennessee Whiskey,' a nod to the crossover appeal that made him the only artist to perform at both BottleRock Napa Valley and La Onda this year, earned a swell of cheers. But the cover and most of his offerings on Sunday felt more like a reminder of what wasn't working rather than what was. La Onda's organizers had bet heavily on León. Already a banner booking for BottleRock the weekend before, he was elevated to headline La Onda on Sunday after Grupo Firme abruptly canceled after being denied entry into the United States. Tito Doble P, the rising star of corridos tumbados, was shifted to the Verizon Stage and León moved to the main stage to anchor the night. But despite his high energy and momentum, the field in front of him never quite filled. The gravity was with León, and so was the weight. That's what lingered. Not the missed notes or the rasping falsetto attempts, but the sheer will of an artist who refused to bail. 'No me voy a rajar,' he said multiple times. León didn't deliver a masterclass in vocal performance, but he delivered something human. Some nights, the voice doesn't show up; Sunday was one of them. But the heart did — and for that, Carín León still earned his moment under La Onda's closing lights.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Carín León Brings 16-Piece Mexican Band to Tiny Desk Concert
Carín León is the latest Latin star to perform his very own Tiny Desk concert for NPR Music. The Mexican superstar went all out for his set, which included a 16-piece band that helped him bring to life 'Ese Vato No Te Queda,' 'Lado Frágil,' 'El Amor de Mi Herida' and 'Por la Suave.' León exuded Mexican pride with instruments like charchetas (alto horn), tololoche, tuba, trumpets and trombones, which give regional Mexican music that rich and nuanced sound. After opening with 'Ese Vato,' León expressed a few words. 'Thank you for having us here, que viva la música mexicana,' he said. More from Billboard PJ Sin Suela Makes History on NPR's Tiny Desk by Incorporating a Sign Language Interpreter Morgan Wallen's 'I'm the Problem' Breaks Streaming Records on Spotify & Amazon Music in First Day Alex Warren Achieves Rare Chart Feat as 'Ordinary' Hits 9th Week as U.K. No. 1 A man of few words, León went on to serenade the crowd that gathered there to see him, showcasing his signature vocal-ranging abilities and his musical palette, made up of a fusion of genres, including R&B, country and pop. During the 15-minute set, he also premiered his new song, 'Por La Suave,' that is set to be part of his upcoming Palabra de To's – Seca out on May 22. The new album is a deluxe version of León's 2024 Palabra de To's. Most recently, the Sonora-born artist teamed up with fellow regional Mexican music star Alejandro Fernández for 'Me Está Doliendo,' a stripped-down pop ballad with a bit of a twang. The collaboration will also be part of the new LP. Other artists who have recently performed a Tiny Desk concert include Bad Bunny, Grupo Frontera and PJ Sin Suela, who became the first artist to incorporate a sign language interpreter as part of the performance. Watch Carín León's Tiny Desk concert below: Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
San Francisco Chronicle
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Your complete guide to BottleRock Napa Valley 2025: Lineup, tickets, food and more
BottleRock Napa Valley, the Bay Area's most luxurious music festival, is back for its 12th edition over Memorial Day weekend, officially launching the region's summer concert season. Set in the heart of Wine Country, this three-day celebration blends top-tier musical talent with gourmet food, premium wines and celebrity chef appearances. It also offers an ever-growing list of perks for VIP guests. 'There's some organized chaos that goes into building the lineup,' said Dave Graham, a partner at BottleRock Napa Valley. 'It goes without saying that we nailed it on the top line.' Since its debut in 2013, BottleRock has helped transform Napa into a world-class music destination. With an expected attendance of around 120,000 over the holiday weekend, the festival has grown into a cultural phenomenon that has redefined the region's identity. Here's your complete guide to BottleRock Napa Valley 2025. Who is performing at BottleRock 2025? In addition to the headliners, BottleRock will showcase a diverse lineup that includes actor-turned-singer Kate Hudson, Cage the Elephant, Kaskade and Rebelution, as well as Carín León, Goose, Sofi Tukker, Palo Alto native Remi Wolf, hip-hop veterans Public Enemy and Ice Cube, and Bay Area rapper E-40. The festival is also expected to feature a special appearance by Robby Krieger of the Doors and the Bay Area band 4 Non Blondes, who have not performed since splitting shortly after climbing the charts with the 1993 single 'What's Up.' Performances will also take place on side stages, VIP areas and various late-night shows, providing attendees with an abundance of musical experiences. The Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage, a festival staple, will host cooking demonstrations by renowned chefs, musicians and celebrities. 'As always, we invest in the customer experience and take it to the next level very year,' said Justin Dragoo, BottleRock chief operating officer. 'We aim to set the bar for festival VIP experiences.' Ticket holders can use the BottleRock website and app to create a custom schedule, view the full lineup, and stay updated on festival set times. Friday, May 23 Green Day, Sublime, Kaskade, Sofi Tukker, Public Enemy, Remi Wolf, E-40, Mon Laferte, the Story So Far, Beach Bunny, Dope Lemon, Balthvs, Iann Dior, Mallrat, Bad Nerves, Miya Folick, Spiritual Cramp, Caloncho, Husbands, Ultra Q, the Alive, One Less Zero, Bombargo, Alisun, DJ Umami, Slippery People, and Summer Brennan. Saturday, May 24 Justin Timberlake, Benson Boone, Ice Cube, Rebelution, 4 Non Blondes, Kaleo, Lawrence, Sharon Van Etten & the Attachment Theory, Lauren Mayberry, G. Love & Donavon Frankenreiter, LA LOM, Two Feet, Kate Hudson, Anders Osborne, Balu Brigada, Sasami, Jalen Ngonda, Bob Schneider, Raynes, the Saint Cecilia, Makua Rothman, the Silverado Pickups, Ava Maybee, Weekend Youth, Megan Katarina, and the Napa Valley Youth Symphony. Sunday, May 25 Noah Kahan, Khruangbin, Cage the Elephant, Carín León, Goose, Flo Rida, Allen Stone, Drama, Robby Krieger of the Doors, the War and Treaty, Vacations, Bby, Eggy, Mix Master Mike, Grace Bowers & the Hodge Podge, Chaparelle, the National Parks, Mirador, Hazlett, Jensen McRae, Hans Williams, Bel, Goldie Boutilier, Moonalice, Bella Rayne, and Oke Junior. Where is BottleRock held? The festival takes place at the Napa Valley Expo, a 26-acre venue near downtown Napa. While the site typically hosts dog shows, craft fairs and local events, it undergoes a major transformation for BottleRock. Organizers Latitude 38 Entertainment and Live Nation have significantly upgraded the space over the years — replacing dusty fields with manicured lawns, shade trees, walkways and sleek infrastructure. By Memorial Day weekend, the grounds will feature multiple stages, boutique wineries, relaxation zones, elevated VIP viewing decks and immersive brand activations, all delivering a signature Wine Country vibe. Getting to BottleRock 2025 A variety of transportation options are available for visitors to reach the event grounds in downtown Napa: Ride hailing: A designated pickup and drop-off area is located at Third and Randolph streets, near the festival's main entrance. Bus: Daily round-trip BottleRock Buses run from cities across the Bay Area, including San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland. Locally, Vine Transit offers free and extended service throughout the weekend. Car: Carpooling is encouraged. Limited all-day street parking is available (check signage), and general admission parking near the venue is first come, first serve. VIP and platinum pass holders receive reserved and complimentary parking, respectively. Accessible parking is available with a special permit. RV or overnight parking is not permitted on-site, though nearby options like Camp Carneros may be available. Bicycle: Free bike parking is offered at 301 First St. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. Be sure to bring your own lock. Train: Amtrak San Joaquins offers direct routes with reclining seats and free Wi-Fi. Festival shuttles run from the nearby station to the event grounds. Air: Out-of-towners can fly into several nearby airports: San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK), Sacramento (SMF), San Jose (SJC) or Santa Rosa (STS). Hotel and transportation packages: BottleRock's website offers travel bundles with hotel rooms and round-trip festival shuttles from cities like San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento and Santa Rosa. What's the vibe at BottleRock? BottleRock delivers a uniquely polished, Wine Country-style experience with a laid-back and mature crowd. You're more likely to see guests lounging in private cabanas or sipping vintage Cabernets than crowd-surfing. While rock music remains central, the festival's lineup now spans multiple genres — from indie pop to hip-hop to electronic — creating a rich and varied sonic landscape. The event is also known for its clean facilities, attentive staff and curated experiences that appeal to both music lovers and culinary connoisseurs. 'It's a constant flow of new ideas,' Graham said. 'People ask us, 'Do you have fun at the festival?' We want the fans to have fun. We want the guests to be happy.' Dragoo concurred: 'You see the smiles on peoples faces and know they can't wait to come back each year.' What to eat and drink at BottleRock 2025 Beyond the music, BottleRock offers one of the best food and beverage selections of any U.S. festival. The Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage, hosted by Bay Area personality Liam Mayclem, features live cooking demos by culinary heavyweights like TV food competition master Bobby Flay, 'Top Chef' host Kristen Kish, tennis legend Serena Williams and actor-singer Kate Hudson are among the stars set to appear on the culinary stage this year. They'll share the stage with musicians like Red Hot Chili Peppers singer Anthony Kiedis, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, R&B singer Bobby Brown, and rappers Chuck D, Flavor Flav and E-40. While the food cooked onstage isn't served to the crowd, festivalgoers can enjoy offerings from top-tier local chefs and over a dozen Napa Valley wineries. Platinum guests get access to rare wines curated by master sommeliers, along with premium spirits and craft beer options. 'It would be hard to name a prominent restaurant in the Napa area that is not part of our festival," Dragoo said. "We're truly fortunate." Pro tip: Walk through both main food areas before choosing your meal — it's worth the exploration. What happens after the festival? The music doesn't end when the lights go down. The festival's AfterDark concerts are scheduled to run May 22-27 at various venues across the Bay Area. Artists like E-40, Chvrches' singer Lauren Mayberry; Sharon Van Etten; Sasami; and the Coverups, featuring Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt, are set to headline these late-night performances, many of whom will also perform during the daytime at the Napa Valley Expo during the festival.
