Heading towards the end of 2016 and the myriad of concerts and fests held throughout the year, it’s time to reflect back on the musical acts that delivered stand-out performances. The ones where months later, you are STILL talking about them. One such performance making #CarlitasCut came from Oakland based GENRE-banding cumbia band La Misa Negra at Boise, Idaho’s Treefort Fest. After viewing a clip of the octet performing on YouTube, they were a must-see act, whipping the jumping crowd into a frenzy after midnight, causing the floor to shake and move with every note. Later in the year, the group would eventually take their energy to Napa Valley’s Bottle Rock Fest which also featured the likes of Stevie Wonder, Lenny Kravitz, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more.

I chatted with La Misa Negra after their Treefort performance about their band formation, sharing stages with Arcade Fire, George Clinton and La Santa Cecilia, band secrets and guilty pleasures and their chance encounters with Alice Cooper, Queen Latifah and Questlove. Listen to the soundclips BELOW and visit La Misa’s site for more show info!

Photo Credit: Andrew Zhou