Latest news with #musicfestival
CBS News
31 minutes ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Popular Mexican band Grupo Firme cancels U.S. show, saying Trump administration suspended their visas
Why Trump is pushing military help for Mexico to help fight cartels The popular Mexican regional music band Grupo Firme announced on Friday that it was canceling a performance in a music festival in California over the weekend after the United States government suspended the musicians' visas. It comes after the U.S. State Department has revoked visas of a number of Mexican musicians for playing a genre of music that it says glorifies cartel violence. The announcement also came just two days after the bodies of five Mexican musicians were found in Reynosa along the Texas border. Grupo Firme, which has soared to international fame playing Mexican regional music, said in a statement posted on its Instagram account that the visas of them and their team are currently under "administrative review by the U.S. Embassy" and that it would make it "impossible" for them to perform in the La Onda Fest to be held in the city of Napa Valley, California on June 1. But the post didn't detail what it would mean in the long term for the musical group. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico said that visa cases are confidential according to U.S. law and couldn't provide more information on the case. Members of the Mexican regional band "Grupo Firme" perform during a free concert in Mexico City's main square, the Zocalo, Sept. 25, 2022. Eduardo Verdugo / AP The suspension is just the latest in a series of moves the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has taken targeting Mexican artists in the genre, who in some cases have glorified the leaders of cartels as sort of Robin Hood figures. While the genre of "narco-corridos" has stirred controversy, much of the music also speaks to the harsh realities facing Mexican youth caught in cartel violence. Two months ago, the Mexican musical group Los Alegres del Barranco was sanctioned after it projected images of the leader of the feared Jalisco New Generation Cartel at a concert in the western state of Jalisco. "I'm a firm believer in freedom of expression, but that doesn't mean that expression should be free of consequences," U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said at the time. "The last thing we need is a welcome mat for people who extol criminals and terrorists." But Grupo Firme has taken steps in recent months to distance itself from the facet of the musical genre glorifying criminal groups, announcing in April shortly after the controversy that it would not sing such music in concerts. Musicians caught in cartel turf wars Mexican musicians have previously been targeted by criminal groups that pay them to compose and perform songs that glorify the exploits of their leaders. Such performers often live in close proximity to their drug lord patrons, and can at times get caught up in cartel turf battles. On Thursday, the five musicians from the band Grupo Fugitivo were found dead after prosecutors said they had been kidnapped. Officials said nine suspects believed to be part of a faction of the Gulf Cartel, which has strong presence in the city, have been arrested. The vehicle belonging to Mexican musical group Grupo Fugitivo is seen outside the Specialized Unit for the Investigation of Forced Disappearances, after Mexican authorities confirmed that five members of the band were found dead, in Reynosa, Mexico May 29, 2025. Stringer / REUTERS "Narcocorridos" are a controversial sub-genre of music in Mexico, and the songs have caught the attention of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who recently launched a music contest "for peace and against addictions," seeking to counter the popularity of the music among young people in Mexico and the United States. Several regions in the country have banned "narcocorridos," sparking a recent riot during a concert after a singer refused to perform some of his most popular songs. In January this year, a small plane was reported to have dropped pamphlets on a northwestern city threatening around 20 music artists and influencers for alleged dealings with a warring faction of the Sinaloa drug cartel. In 2018, armed men kidnapped two members of the musical group "Los Norteños de Río Bravo," whose bodies were later found on the federal highway connecting Reynosa to Río Bravo, Tamaulipas. In 2013, 17 musicians from the group Kombo Kolombia were executed by alleged cartel members in the northeastern state of Nuevo Leon, allegedly because of links to a rival gang. Agence France-Presse contributed to this report.
CNN
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Mexican band Grupo Firme cancels US show, says visas suspended by Trump administration
The popular Mexican regional music band Grupo Firme announced on Friday that it was canceling a performance in a music festival in California over the weekend after the United States government suspended the musicians' visas. It comes after the US State Department has revoked visas of a number of Mexican musicians for playing a genre of music that it says glorifies cartel violence. The group, which has soared to international fame playing Mexican regional music, said in a statement posted on its Instagram account that the visas of them and their team are currently under 'administrative review by the US Embassy' and that it would make it 'impossible' for them to perform in the La Onda Fest to be held in the city of Napa Valley, California on June 1. But the post didn't detail what it would mean in the long term for the musical group. The US Embassy in Mexico and the State Department said that visa cases are confidential according to US law and couldn't provide more information on the case. The suspension is just the latest in a series of moves the administration of US President Donald Trump has taken targeting Mexican artists in the genre, who in some cases have glorified the leaders of cartels as sort of Robin Hood figures. While the genre of 'narco-corridos' has stirred controversy, much of the music also speaks to the harsh realities facing Mexican youth caught in cartel violence. Two months ago, the Mexican musical group Los Alegres del Barranco was sanctioned after it projected images of the leader of the feared Jalisco New Generation Cartel at a concert in the western state of Jalisco. 'I'm a firm believer in freedom of expression, but that doesn't mean that expression should be free of consequences,' US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said at the time. 'The last thing we need is a welcome mat for people who extol criminals and terrorists.' But Grupo Firme has taken steps in recent months to distance itself from the facet of the musical genre glorifying criminal groups, announcing in April shortly after the controversy that it would not sing such music in concerts.
CBS News
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Popular Mexican band cancels California show, saying Trump administration suspended their visas
Why Trump is pushing military help for Mexico to help fight cartels The popular Mexican regional music band Grupo Firme announced on Friday that it was canceling a performance in a music festival in California over the weekend after the United States government suspended the musicians' visas. It comes after the U.S. State Department has revoked visas of a number of Mexican musicians for playing a genre of music that it says glorifies cartel violence. The announcement also came just two days after the bodies of five Mexican musicians were found in Reynosa along the Texas border. Grupo Firme, which has soared to international fame playing Mexican regional music, said in a statement posted on its Instagram account that the visas of them and their team are currently under "administrative review by the U.S. Embassy" and that it would make it "impossible" for them to perform in the La Onda Fest to be held in the city of Napa Valley, California on June 1. But the post didn't detail what it would mean in the long term for the musical group. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico said that visa cases are confidential according to U.S. law and couldn't provide more information on the case. Members of the Mexican regional band "Grupo Firme" perform during a free concert in Mexico City's main square, the Zocalo, Sept. 25, 2022. Eduardo Verdugo / AP The suspension is just the latest in a series of moves the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has taken targeting Mexican artists in the genre, who in some cases have glorified the leaders of cartels as sort of Robin Hood figures. While the genre of "narco-corridos" has stirred controversy, much of the music also speaks to the harsh realities facing Mexican youth caught in cartel violence. Two months ago, the Mexican musical group Los Alegres del Barranco was sanctioned after it projected images of the leader of the feared Jalisco New Generation Cartel at a concert in the western state of Jalisco. "I'm a firm believer in freedom of expression, but that doesn't mean that expression should be free of consequences," U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said at the time. "The last thing we need is a welcome mat for people who extol criminals and terrorists." But Grupo Firme has taken steps in recent months to distance itself from the facet of the musical genre glorifying criminal groups, announcing in April shortly after the controversy that it would not sing such music in concerts. Musicians caught in cartel turf wars Mexican musicians have previously been targeted by criminal groups that pay them to compose and perform songs that glorify the exploits of their leaders. Such performers often live in close proximity to their drug lord patrons, and can at times get caught up in cartel turf battles. On Thursday, the five musicians from the band Grupo Fugitivo were found dead after prosecutors said they had been kidnapped. Officials said nine suspects believed to be part of a faction of the Gulf Cartel, which has strong presence in the city, have been arrested. The vehicle belonging to Mexican musical group Grupo Fugitivo is seen outside the Specialized Unit for the Investigation of Forced Disappearances, after Mexican authorities confirmed that five members of the band were found dead, in Reynosa, Mexico May 29, 2025. Stringer / REUTERS "Narcocorridos" are a controversial sub-genre of music in Mexico, and the songs have caught the attention of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who recently launched a music contest "for peace and against addictions," seeking to counter the popularity of the music among young people in Mexico and the United States. Several regions in the country have banned "narcocorridos," sparking a recent riot during a concert after a singer refused to perform some of his most popular songs. In January this year, a small plane was reported to have dropped pamphlets on a northwestern city threatening around 20 music artists and influencers for alleged dealings with a warring faction of the Sinaloa drug cartel. In 2018, armed men kidnapped two members of the musical group "Los Norteños de Río Bravo," whose bodies were later found on the federal highway connecting Reynosa to Río Bravo, Tamaulipas. In 2013, 17 musicians from the group Kombo Kolombia were executed by alleged cartel members in the northeastern state of Nuevo Leon, allegedly because of links to a rival gang. Agence France-Presse contributed to this report.
The Guardian
8 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Can South by Southwest's London debut recreate Austin's star-making power?
South by Southwest London could become a launchpad for 'music's global superstars of the future', according to the organisers of the event, which starts its inaugural edition on Monday. SXSW London's director of programming, Katy Arnander, and the event's managing director, Randel Bryan said that despite huge competition in the capital, the event, which has been billed as 'Olympics of the mind' and is known as SXSW, could become a star-maker. 'We had Amy Winehouse playing in tiny venues back in the day,' says Bryan, referring to the Austin event. 'We've had Adele and Ed Sheeran, and we're hoping that South by Southwest in London is the same platform to really launch the global superstars of the future.' The original event, which launched in the Texas capital of Austin in 1987, has grown to a London-wide festival that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city in March. A mix of cutting-edge music, tech, talks from business and political figures and a film strand, previous guests to the event including Barack and Michelle Obama, Johnny Cash, Matthew McConaughey, Kelly Rowland, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. The London event has been welcomed with open arms by everyone from music figures to the city's mayor, Sadiq Khan, who said he was 'delighted' to have SXSW in London, where it will take over multiple venues in Shoreditch in the east of the city. But launching in London is a risk. When SXSW is in the Texas capital, it takes over the city's downtown area – a feat that's impossible in London. The UK's capital is not Austin, which is a big city but without the myriad cultural offerings of London. On the music front, nearby Brighton's Great Escape has long been billed as the UK's answer to SXSW, while this summer season is packed with park festivals that started last weekend at Brockwell Park despite a row over use of public space. Events such as Intelligence Squared already offer access to the great minds of our time, and the London film festival brings in talent from all over the world. So what does SXSW London offer? 'We really do believe that it's truly unique in the ability to combine creativity with technology and bring some of the greatest thought leaders together on a platform,' says Arnander, who previously worked at the Barbican and Sadler's Wells. 'And so in that sense, we think it's something truly remarkable to bring to the UK.' 'Austin is very music focused, but we're sort of broadening it out and introducing other elements to it,' adds Arnander, highlighting the visual arts programme that features Alvaro Barrington. In the 2000s and 2010s, the Austin event became known as a key launchpad for musical talent, particularly British artists, who went to Texas and came back after planting a flag in the notoriously difficult to break American market. Amy Winehouse, Dua Lipa, Skepta and Stormzy all made waves in Austin, but over recent years, that kingmaker status has faltered. Last year, more than 80 artists withdrew from the 2024 edition in support of Palestine after Israel's invasion of Gaza, citing SXSW's ties to the US army and the defence contractor RTX Corporation. Sign up to The Guide Get our weekly pop culture email, free in your inbox every Friday after newsletter promotion The US army was listed as a 'super sponsor' of the 2024 festival, and SXSW initially defended the partnership, while also supporting the boycotting artists. SXSW said it defended the artists' right to free speech but added that the 'defense industry has historically been a proving ground for many of the systems we rely on today'. In June 2024, the festival ended its US army partnership after the backlash. When asked if the row had affected bookings, Arnander said: 'No, just to be clear, we're quite independent from Austin, and while Austin had sponsorship from the US army, we don't have any such sponsorship.' The UK and US events are owned by different companies. London's musical offering has some big names: Afrobeats star Tems is playing a show at the Troxy, Wyclef Jean is in town, while Erykah Badu was a late addition to the lineup. Mabel is another highlight. But compared with the US event's usual musical lineup – where Drake, Lana Del Rey, John Legend or Iggy Pop might show up – London's first edition feels underpowered. SXSW London's talks programme is where most of the star wattage is found. The CEO of Google's AI laboratory DeepMind, Demis Hassabis, is over for a chat about artificial intelligence; Hollywood spiritual guru Deepak Chopra imparts wisdom; while the former Arsenal star Cesc Fàbregas discusses the rise of Como, the Italian side he manages. Fitness influencer Joe Wicks will give his thoughts on integrating fitness into office life (working meetings, apparently), while actor Idris Elba talks about creativity and comedian Katherine Ryan discusses immortality. The US event also evolved to include film programming, alongside the traditional tech, talks and music. SXSW London will take over the Barbican, hosting premieres of Eminem's fan documentary Stans and Tom Kingsley's comedy Deep Cover starring Bryce Dallas Howard and Orlando Bloom, while there's a retrospective for British film-maker Jenn Nkiru at Christ Church in Spitalfields.
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Melbourne Hall to host music festivals despite concerns
An historic Derbyshire stately home can now host music festivals with a capacity of up to 5,000 people, despite concerns over noise and Derbyshire District Council granted a premises licence for Crow Park, which is part of the Melbourne Hall estate, owned by the Marquis of Lothian on approved the plans from Raymond Gubbay Ltd, owned by Sony Music, to be able to host one three-day event per year, for a maximum of 4,999 feared the impact of another festival, due to already managing the impact of Download Festival, Donington Racetrack and East Midlands Airport. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said the event would involved live music and alcohol sales from 12:00 until 22:30 from Friday through to Sunday. The applicant said there would be no overnight camping, meaning attendees would leave and return should they buy consecutive tickets, as weekend tickets would not be Lowe, on behalf of the applicant, said this event series would not be comparable to the rock music festival, Download, hosted at Donington Park, just two miles Lowe told the hearing: "Download is for 120,000 people, it is a very different type of event to one for 4,999 people."The type of event will be comedy nights and music that is compliant with the noise limit (65 decibels), which should tell you something about the sort of music it would be."Much of what is being discussed is negative. People are going to be spending money in shops and pubs and that is a positive, that is why many businesses are supportive of this."Mr Lowe said on-site parking would be free of charge and that traffic management plans would be drawn up by the same company that handles Download car parks, containing 1,170 spaces, would be constructed on fields to the east of Melbourne, south of Blackwell Lane. 'Not suitable' A Melbourne resident who did not wish to be named told the hearing: "Melbourne has a population of 5,264. "This event over three days would see the entire population of Melbourne squeezed onto one field in Blackwell Lane."I am concerned about the sheer volume of people that would be trying to get in and out of Melbourne for the event. A lot of residents are going to be significantly disrupted by this."Resident, David Mill, said road closures and diversions would push the issue elsewhere. "This is an outstanding reason why Melbourne Hall is not suitable for such events", said Mr Devey-Smith said drivers who are unfamiliar with the area would increase traffic problems."Unfamiliar drivers would be coming down this narrow road and you can't require people to park in the parking area provided and there are already very few spaces to park in Melbourne."Residents are going to end up without their places to park," she licensing panel said they considered the parking concerns and granted approval for the premises license on the conditions that details of each event are provided to residents and the parish council. The panel added that a traffic management plan must be submitted 30 days before the planned events.
