Billboard Latin Music Week kicked off Monday (October 14) at the Fillmore Miami Beach with back-to-back business panels, one of which was “The Power of Viña” presented by Viña del Mar.
Moderated by Alfredo Alonso, Director of Entertainment, Bizzarro Live/Producer of Viña Del Mar festival, the 15-minute panel revealed how the event in Chile has become a must-stop for all major Latin acts and how you can get an invitation to perform.
Below, learn more about the festival that celebrates more than 64 years and has served as an important platform in previous years for some of the biggest Latin acts, such as Julio Iglesias, Luis Miguel, Shakira and the Police, to name a few.
What is Viña del Mar?
“In the 60s it started as a contest to pick the most important song of the time. As the years went by, it became a great platform to showcase the artists and the competition became more and more relevant,” said Alonso. The format is a six-day live event lasting five hours each night and featuring music, competition and humour. “The anxiety and excitement that comes with this festival is huge,” he noted.
How to become a member of the festival
It is important to achieve a connection with an audience by having your name, your music and your image. Any artist or composer can be a part of the festival if they have an unreleased song and can submit their song in the folk section and represent their country. For example, Shakira participated in 1994 and represented Colombia. You can also be invited as an emerging artist (either opening or ceremony), or you can join the jury.
The Beast
“El Monstruo” is the name given to Viña del Mar's passionate audience — one of the most demanding and unscrupulous audiences in entertainment who are judgmental and not easily impressed. From comedians to artists, everyone is up to the challenge of conquering the monster and few have managed to leave their mark on Vina.
For the past 35 years, Latin Music Week has become a cornerstone of Latin music in this country, becoming the most important—and largest—gathering of Latin artists and industry executives in the world. Originally named the Latin Music Seminar, sponsored by Billboard, the event dates back to 1990, where it began as a one-day event in Miami featuring a two-artist showcase and an awards show.
Over the years, it has taken place in Miami, Las Vegas and Puerto Rico, returning to Miami Beach for a fourth consecutive year in 2024, and has welcomed some of the biggest Latin acts, including Celia Cruz, Selena, Ricky Martin, Chayanne, Jenni. Rivera, Daddy Yankee, Karol G, Bad Bunny and Romeo Santos. Latin Music Week coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards airing at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 20, on Telemundo. It will be available simultaneously on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/billboard-latin-music-week-2024-what-to-know-about-vina-del-mar-panel-1235798965/