By: Fredwill Hernandez
Los Angeles Azules, Kinky, Celso Piña, Gaby Moreno, Panteón Rococó, Ana Tijoux, Caifanes, The Braided Janes, [Francisca Straube as] Rubio, Reyno, Dj Happy Colors, and Play-N-Skillz were [just] some of the 52 [plus] acts that performed during the [three day] fourth annual Ruido [Spanish for Noise] fest sponsored by Estrella Jalisco, Toyota, AT&T, McDonald’s, [The Chicago] White Sox, AHF, and Act Against Aids which began Fri. – June 22, and ran [for nine hours daily] thru Sun. – June 24, 2018, at Addams/Medill Park, Pilsen, Chicago, IL.
Forecasted [bad] weather and a few hours of morning rain on Fri- June 22 [which in some spots turned muddy] wasn’t an excuse to keep attendees away from the festival’s high caliber entertainment, which also included a ring with wrestlers [predominately enjoyed by the kids], great food, and drinks for all ages.
Sponsors like McDonald’s, Estrella Jalisco, AT&T and Toyota [all] made their presence felt: as McDonald’s brand ambassador’s handed out [samples of] McCafé Strawbery/Banana and Mango/Pineapple Smoothie’s, and buy one, get one free [McCafé] coupons to be redeem at [either] Chicagoland or Northwest Indiana area McDonald’s, and Toyota had its own [large circus style] tent with a stage for [its own scheduled] performances [through their Música interactive experience music den] and was showing off their Corolla and Rav 4 models with interactive [dash] video’s about the cars, allowing attendees pictures to be taken and sent [to attendees via emails], as attendees sat [inside the cars] and learned about the vehicles.
Through social media prior to the Ruido Fest, Toyota had announced, that it partnered with Latin singer, songwriter and producer, Wisin [formerly of Wisin & Yandel] to curate a lineup of emerging artists featured at the Toyota Music Den, providing a stage for a variety of genres in support of music discovery and Toyota’s commitment to supporting these artists on their road to success.
“Toyota is a champion of music discovery and always looking for authentic ways to connect with guests through music,” said Tyler McBride, Toyota’s engagement marketing manager. “We are so excited to be partnering with a music icon like Wisin who brings his talents and expertise, along with his genuine appreciation for the brand, to our Toyota Music Den to help us continue providing a stage for emerging artists to share their music with fans.”
Latin Grammy nominee Dj Happy Colors, as well as [2X] Grammy winning [predominately rap] record producing duo Play-N-Skillz from Dallas, Texas, [who coincidently are brothers], and who also DJ and rap, were the most anticipated artist’s to perform at the Toyota Music den stage. Other acts to hit the Toyota stage were Dominican American singer/songwriter Jahzel Dotel, Latin pop rock band Los Hollywood, Dominican singer Jarina De Marco, Los Angeles indie band Las Cruxes, and Puerto Rican Latin Trap singer Joha “La Primer Dama“.
Aside from the great food, and drinks, It was evident most festival attendees were there for the music.
“I’m excited to be here, humbly grateful for the opportunity to be here, excited about the vulgar display of power here at Ruido Fest. I would like to apologize on behalf of our group who were not able to be here today, solely the excuse or should I say because of US Customs who would not allow my fellow band mates to attend or be here today since their traveling Visa’s didn’t arrive in time. I will however hit the stage, yell and play my guitar on behalf of the group,” explained Güili Damage, of [Mexican surf rock band] Los Esquizitos, who exemplified true artistry, in my opinion, by taking the stage solo and playing his guitar.
Ruido Fest [also has become a platform and] has allowed for local up-and-coming talent to play and perform, and others to even showcase their art.
“We’re glad Ruido fest gave local up-and-coming bands like us the opportunity to play here, this is a dream come true, and one checked off our bucket list of things to do or to be accomplished,” eloquently explained Jessica Rodriguez, [vocalist] of The Braided Janes, during a brief press conference after their show.”We’re classified as a post Punk, Latin rock [band], but our influences are more than that and that’s evident in the sound of our music. We’re really interested in social change, and our core and footprint and what we represent, is being a band for the people by the people.”
As I walked through the festival I accidently ran into [a booth with] some large canvas paintings depicting everything from Mexican musical icon Chalino Sanchez, holding a pistol, to [Mexican] Ranchera/Mariachi singer Vicente Fernandez, and even to paintings of General Marcos and his Zapatista Movement of Chiapas, Mexico.
“I started to draw and sketch as a kid, eventually it progressed and I eventually started doing tattoo’s, I did tattooing for like eight years, and I still [periodically] do, then like seven years ago I progressed [and moved on] to paint, brushes, and canvas. Being Mexican, I’m inspired by all of our culture,” explained the Chicago based artist, Danny Ponce, who confessed [early on] he was [also] inspired by Los Angeles, [Ca.], based famed tattoo artist Mister Cartoon.
“I live in Kansa City, Missouri, but when I found out Celso Piña was performing, I told my wife, we need to attend Ruido Fest again this year, I’ve been attending Ruido fest since its inception, so I drove eight hours just to get here,” explained Iram Martinez, who coincidently is also from Monterey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico were Piña is from. “I brought my guiro and I plan to play it during Celso’s set, just to see him perform live will make it all be worth while for me.”
“Hello my name is Celso Piña, as you know I play the accordion, I compose, I arrange and I feel really happy and blessed to be here, and to be part of this festival which is the Ruido Fest. As to what you can expect musically[from me], expect a first class show of all my hits, of my almost 40 year trajectory and musical career, and I know it sounds easy but to have a trajectory of almost 40 years is very hard, it’s easier said than done,” briefly explained Piña before his show, as to what people can expect from his show, about being authentic or a so called musical rebel, and advise he would give up-and-coming acts.”There are many ways to rebel or be a rebel, and I have always been a rebel at heart, but musically speaking I revolutionized my land Monterey, Nuevo Leon,[Mexico], I revolutionized [or tweaked] vallenato, norteño, and the tropical elements found and incorporated in [all my] cumbia’s, and this happened around the year 2000 when I recorded my album titled Barrio Bravo, which was well excepted and proof of that is that “we’re still here today.” As for upcoming acts, you should take advantage of any [or all] opportunities as they arise, also be your authentic self, leave your spirit and soul on the stage as you play, or sing, and always be mindful to respect your audience, you can joke and have fun but being mindful not to cross the line or to be disrespectful in anyway, as the crowd will feel [and know] if you are truly being your [genuine] authentic self.”
