Latest news with #MicheladaFest
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Grupo Firme cancels appearance at La Onda festival, becoming latest international act to face visa issues
Grupo Firme was unable to show up for its previously planned June 1 set at Napa's La Onda festival. The Tijuana band announced the cancellation Friday afternoon on social media. 'Currently, the visas of Grupo Firme and the Music VIP [Entertainment] team are in an administrative process by the U.S. Embassy, a situation that makes it impossible for Grupo Firme's performance at La Onda Fest to go on as planned,' the band wrote in a statement posted on its Instagram stories. 'We are sorry for the inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for your understanding and, above all else, the love from our U.S. fans.' Grupo Firme is the latest international musical act facing visa issues since President Trump took office for his second presidential term. Many of these have been música Mexicana artists. The group's news came only a week after Mexican singer Julión Álvarez postponed his May 24 show at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, after he claimed his work visa had been revoked. The 42-year-old musician alleged in a May 23 Instagram video that he had received the news of his work visa revocation that day, leaving him and his band unable to travel to Texas for their planned performance. He also claimed he didn't have a full sense of clarity regarding the ongoing status of his visa and was limited in what he could dispel about the situation. Also in May, Chicago's Michelada Fest, a Spanish-language music festival that had programmed several Latin American acts was canceled due to concerns over artists' visas. 'Due to the uncertainty surrounding artist visas and the rapidly changing political climate, we're no longer able to guarantee the full experience we had dreamed up for you with all your favorite artists,' the festival's organizers explained in a statement. 'Although we tried to push through, it became clear that we wouldn't be able to deliver the full lineup as planned.' The organizers would go on to write that, as an independent outfit, Michelada Fest 'can't afford to take on a big risk with so much uncertainty ahead.' Grupo Firme, Anitta, Danny Ocean, Tokischa and Luis R. Conriquez were scheduled to perform at the July festival. In early April, the U.S. State Department canceled the work and tourist visas of the members of the Mexican corrido band Los Alegres del Barranco after the group displayed photos of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes at its concert in Guadalajara, Mexico. During their March 29 show at the University of Guadalajara, the band put an illustrated depiction of Cervantes — a key player in the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG — on a mega-screen while playing their song 'El Dueño del Palenque.' Videos of the incident were captured on social media. 'I'm pleased to announce that the State Department has revoked the band members' work and tourism visas. In the Trump Administration, we take seriously our responsibility over foreigners' access to our country,' said Christopher Landau, the U.S. deputy Secretary of State in April. 'The last thing we need is a welcome mat for people who extol criminals and terrorists.' Outside of the world of Latino artists, British singer FKA twigs announced in April on Instagram that she had to cancel series of concerts for the month in North America — including a slot at Coachella 2025 — due to 'ongoing visa issues.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Julión Álvarez Postpones Stadium Show in Texas After Not Being Able to Enter the U.S.
Mexican star Julión Álvarez has postponed his Saturday show at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, after not being able to enter the United States, according to the artist's team. Álvarez — alongside the show's promoter CMN and his management/booking company Copar Music — issued a statement Friday (May 23) explaining that, 'Due to unforeseen circumstances,' he was 'unable to enter the United States in time for the event.' More from Billboard Why Canceling Michelada Fest Will Leave a 'Gaping Hole' in Chicago's Summer Season: 'Our Culture Is Being Targeted' Roger Nichols, Grammy-Nominated Co-Writer of 'We've Only Just Begun,' Dies at 84 7 Things We Learned From Talking to EDC Las Vegas 2025 Performers Adding, 'With nearly 50,000 tickets sold, this sold-out show was set to be an unforgettable night for fans. Both CMN and Copar Music, along with Julión's team, are actively working to reschedule the performance as soon as possible. Julión Álvarez extends his heartfelt thanks for your patience and continued support, and he looks forward to reuniting with his Texas fans very soon.' In a video message posted on Instagram, Álvarez further explained that his work visa had been cancelled. 'It's a situation that is out of our hands. It's the information I have and what I can share.' In April, the regional Mexican star, known for hits like 'Póngamonos de Acuerdo' and 'Te Hubieras Ido Antes,' made his grand return to the United States with three historic sold-out shows at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The shows in L.A. saw Álvarez perform in the U.S. again, eight years after a legal process that began Aug. 10, 2017, when the U.S. Treasury Department singled out the singer for alleged money laundering and links to drug trafficking. This caused the closure of his social media accounts and the rejection of U.S. companies to work with the Chiapas-born singer, and kept him away from stages in this country. In May 2022, the charges were dropped and Alvarez announced in a press conference that everything had been 'cleared up.' The three shows in L.A. and the one in Texas this year were setting him up for his upcoming 4218 Tour in the U.S., although the tour dates had yet to be announced. While it's unclear why Álvarez was not able to enter the U.S., the news comes at a time when international artists have faced a visa situation that has impacted a handful of regional Mexican acts and events. Earlier this month, Michelada Fest in Chicago was canceled over artists' visa uncertainty. Today's press statement mentions that previously purchased tickets 'will be honored for the new date,' but if unable to attend the rescheduled concert, 'refund details will be provided.' See Álvarez's message to his fans 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
Mint
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Why did Mexican singer Julion Alvarez postpone his US show?
Mexican singer Julión Álvarez said he'll have to postpone his Texas show at AT&T Stadium in Arlington scheduled for Saturday. The sold-out show had sold nearly 50,000 tickets. Julion Alvarez is known for hits like 'Póngamonos de Acuerdo' and 'Te Hubieras Ido Antes'. Julion's team said they were 'actively working to reschedule the performance as soon as possible.' 'Julión Álvarez extends his heartfelt thanks for your patience and continued support, and he looks forward to reuniting with his Texas fans very soon,' the statement read. They also said that the previously purchased tickets 'will be honoured for the new date,' but if the fans are unable to attend the rescheduled concert, 'refund details will be provided.' Citing 'unforeseen circumstances', the singer's management company, Copar Music, and the show's promoter, CMN, said Julion Alvarez was forced to cancel his Texas show because he is 'unable to enter the United States in time for the event.' Later, in a video message on Instagram, Julion explained that his work visa had been cancelled. 'It's a situation that is out of our hands. It's the information I have and what I can share.' This comes as the Donald Trump administration has tightened the immigration noose in the country. Several international artists have faced a visa situation that has impacted a handful of regional Mexican acts and events. Earlier this month, Michelada Fest in Chicago was cancelled over uncertainty surrounding visas for artists. However, it is unclear why Alvarez was not able to enter the US—whether it was because of Trump's new laws or the singer's older controversy. In August 2017, Julion Alvarez was named by the US Treasury Department in an investigation alleging money laundering and connections to drug trafficking. This severely impacted his career: his social media accounts were shut down, and American companies cut ties with the Chiapas-born artist. As a result, Julion was effectively barred from performing in the United States. That changed in May 2022, when the charges were officially dropped. At a press conference, Julion announced that everything had been 'cleared up,' paving the way for a comeback many fans had been awaiting for nearly a decade. After eight years, Julion Alvarez returned to the US in April with three historic, sold-out shows at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The concerts marked his first performances in America since the legal saga.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lord Buffalo cancels European tour after drummer was detained by U.S. border officials
Texas psych-Americana band Lord Buffalo has canceled its upcoming European tour after it claims that drummer Yamal Said was taken off a plane by border patrol agents on Monday. "We are heartbroken to announce we have to cancel our upcoming European tour. Our drummer, who is a Mexican citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States (green card holder) was forcibly removed from our flight to Europe by Customs and Border Patrol at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Monday May 12," the band said in a Wednesday social media post. According to the group, Said has not been released from custody. "We are currently working with an immigration lawyer to find out more information and to attempt to secure his release," the band continued in its post. "We are devastated to cancel this tour, but we are focusing all of our energy and resources on Yamal's safety and freedom. We are hopeful that this is a temporary setback and that it could be safe for us to reschedule this tour in the future." Read more: Amid visa crackdown, foreign students in California and beyond reconsider summer travel Lord Buffalo later updated the message to announce that Said has secured legal representation. According to a CBP spokesperson, Said was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection while aboard a May 12 flight heading outside of the U.S. due to allegedly having an active arrest warrant. He was subsequently turned over to local law enforcement. The Times has reached out to Lord Buffalo for comment. The Texas band is not the first musical act to claim they have needed to postpone or cancel shows due to immigration issues in recent months. In April, British singer FKA twigs announced in an Instagram post that she had to cancel series of concerts for the month in North America — including a slot at Coachella 2025 — due to "ongoing visa issues." Read more: Trump's visa policies have foreign musicians on edge. How will they affect Coachella and touring? Earlier this month, Chicago's Michelada Fest, a Spanish-language music festival that had acts scheduled from across the globe, was canceled due to concerns over artists' visas. "Due to the uncertainty surrounding artist visas and the rapidly changing political climate, we're no longer able to guarantee the full experience we had dreamed up for you with all your favorite artists," the festival's organizers explained in a statement. "Although we tried to push through, it became clear that we wouldn't be able to deliver the full lineup as planned." The organizers would go on to write that, as an independent outfit, Michelada Fest "can't afford to take on a big risk with so much uncertainty ahead." Grupo Firme, Anitta, Danny Ocean, Tokischa and Luis R. Conriquez were scheduled to perform at the July festival. Get our Latinx Files newsletter for stories that capture the complexity of our communities. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Lord Buffalo cancels European tour after drummer was detained by U.S. border officials
Texas psych-Americana band Lord Buffalo has canceled its upcoming European tour after it claims that drummer Yamal Said was taken off a plane by border patrol agents on Monday. 'We are heartbroken to announce we have to cancel our upcoming European tour. Our drummer, who is a Mexican citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States (green card holder) was forcibly removed from our flight to Europe by Customs and Border Patrol at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Monday May 12,' the band said in a Wednesday social media post. According to the group, Said has not been released from custody. 'We are currently working with an immigration lawyer to find out more information and to attempt to secure his release,' the band continued in its post. 'We are devastated to cancel this tour, but we are focusing all of our energy and resources on Yamal's safety and freedom. We are hopeful that this is a temporary setback and that it could be safe for us to reschedule this tour in the future.' Lord Buffalo later updated the message to announce that Said has secured legal representation. According to a CBP spokesperson, Said was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection while aboard a May 12 flight heading outside of the U.S. due to allegedly having an active arrest warrant. He was subsequently turned over to local law enforcement. The Times has reached out to Lord Buffalo for comment. The Texas band is not the first musical act to claim they have needed to postpone or cancel shows due to immigration issues in recent months. In April, British singer FKA twigs announced in an Instagram post that she had to cancel series of concerts for the month in North America — including a slot at Coachella 2025 — due to 'ongoing visa issues.' Earlier this month, Chicago's Michelada Fest, a Spanish-language music festival that had acts scheduled from across the globe, was canceled due to concerns over artists' visas. 'Due to the uncertainty surrounding artist visas and the rapidly changing political climate, we're no longer able to guarantee the full experience we had dreamed up for you with all your favorite artists,' the festival's organizers explained in a statement. 'Although we tried to push through, it became clear that we wouldn't be able to deliver the full lineup as planned.' The organizers would go on to write that, as an independent outfit, Michelada Fest 'can't afford to take on a big risk with so much uncertainty ahead.' Grupo Firme, Anitta, Danny Ocean, Tokischa and Luis R. Conriquez were scheduled to perform at the July festival.
