Aye Carumba! Is it hot in here?

Aye Carumba! Is it hot in here?

The 2010 Fujirock schedule has its share of francophone acts, but anyone who’s a fest regular knows that the guys who run Fujirock have a healthy hard-on for all things Latin (and they’re not the only ones in Tokyo). Every year, there are bands from Italy, Spain or South America to spice things up on the side stages. There was cumbia troupe, Very Be Careful playing out of the back of a slow-moving pickup, and the tropical sounds of Ska Cubano splashing off the Avalon stage. And of course no one can forget the scorching sets by Manu Chao from years past.

A quick look through this year’s lineup proves that the Latin love affair continues.


Los Angeles’s own Ozomatli might be the most well-known example here. Regular returnees to Naeba, the LA collective trades in hip-hop and funk-inflected party tunes that draw heavily on their Central and South American heritages. Another feisty-flavored acts from the FRF roster is Willie Martinez Y Mambo Loco. If that name sounds remotely familiar, let me fill you in: it’s the same Willie from Big Willie’s Burlesque, who have wowed crowds at more than a few Fujirock festivals. This year Willie returns to the Palace of Wonder with his mambo band, but don’t worry fans, his star dancer, Carolina, will be making the trip with him.

Perhaps the heart of all this Latin love will come from the new Cabaret Fiesta / Havana Nights area. Located where last year’s Cafe de Paris stage stood, Cabaret Fiesta will be home to several Mambo Loco shows as well as the venue for Flamenco performances. But don’t forget see Ozomatli at the Palace of Wonder, or catch the Cumbias Cumbia Cumbias, a DJ set between Caribbean Dandy, DJ TXAKO from Japonicus and rabid discophile, Jason Mayal from Fujirock’s London office.