Wrap up of the FIMgdl Latin American Music conference that ended Saturday

Report from the Feria Internacional de la Música de Guadalajara convention in Guadalajara.

The yr 2022 was a landmark for Latin music within the U.S., with revenues surpassing $1 billion for the primary time, in accordance with the Recording Trade Affiliation of America., and doubled igs market share in 2023.Latin music- together with pop and regional Mexican – is now the quickest rising music style within the US.

I knew that after I registered for FIMgdl, the worldwide Latin Music Trade conference held yearly on the College of Guadalajara’s Santander advanced.What I used to be not ready for was  how Mexico is changing into a worldwide musical melting pot

This turned  instantly obvious after I  bumped into a big group from Australia and New Zealand at FIMgdl scoping out Latin bands and the Mexican market. And  German, Dutch, American, Canadian and even Belgium executives testing the Mexican market. The  music agenys had been scoping bands to contract or tour; the advertising and marketing individuals need to carry bands from overseas to Mexico as a result of digital music and touring  is booming in Mexico.

 In just some years,  Mexico has advanced into one of many high music streaming markets, with streaming revenues exceeding 500 million second behind  Brazil. And touring is shut behind. So not solely does FIMgdl facilitates export of Mexican music, it helps bands from different international locations get a foothold right here.

For a music author like myself, FIMgdl was heaven: new bands to fulfill and pay attention business contacts to make. And free tequila virtually in every single place.

It was additionally exhausting. Conferences began at 9 am, showcases closed at midnight. After which the millennials went out for tacos, a challenge which might final 2 hours. Thursday night time I discovered myself at a vegan taco stand throughout from a downtown museum with about 30 individuals, largely underneath 40, speaking, consuming, and getting our second wind – not less than they did.

It was additionally quite a lot of work. The Santander advanced is big with two  proscenium coccert halla and a number of lecture rooms  in a 390,000. sq. foot facility, all on totally different ranges. Shifting round within the crowd, even carrying video gear was not arduous, however it took work. What actually wore me out was the night time showcases on the C3 Membership in Colonia Americana, which has two flooring. As a band wrapped up on the decrease flooring one other band was beginning up on the higher flooring and vice versa – requiring 4 -6 journeys up and down stairs with video gear every night time.

After which going out for vegan tacos.

The music ranged from Columbian and Peruvian Cumbia, to Mexican alt rock, to Spanish cello/marimba classical, to Canadian hip hop, to Chilean indigenous and melodic feminine rock, to Mexican Son Jarócho, to way more. I talked to a a number of of the Mexican bands who want to play in Lakeside  once they have a Guadalajara reserving and may spend an additional day or two afterward. Fingers crossed.