Festival La Onda: Here are 8 great Latin music acts to catch at the big event
Mana, Junior H, Alejandro Fernandez, Fuerza Regida, Eslabon Armado, Ximena Sariñana and more set for Festival La Onda by BottleRock in Napa Valley.
BottleRockers have a really good reason to stick around Napa even longer in 2024.
That’s because organizers have added another really cool music event on the weekend following the regular BottleRock Napa Valley, which takes place over Memorial Day Weekend at the at the Napa Valley Expo in downtown Napa.
So, get ready for Festival La Onda, a two-day celebration of Latin music that runs June 1-2 at the same location.
Tickets start at $179 per day and $309 for weekend passes; laondafest.com.
Here are eight highlights from the inaugural La Onda lineup:
Maná
This Day 2 headliner — which also is set to play the BottleRock Napa Valley festival on May 25 — has long been one of the biggest acts in Latin rock. Since getting its start in 1981 in Guadalajara, Mexico — originally under the name Sombrero Verde — the group has scored dozens of No. 1 hits and sold more than 40 million albums across the globe.
Set time: 8:15-9:45 pm June 2; La Onda Stage
Junior H
Antonio Herrera Pérez was still in high school and working as a cook at a Wendy’s in Utah when he devoted himself to learning how to play music. He’d later upload some songs to YouTube, under the name Junior H, and the rest is pretty much history. The corridos tumbados specialist — who originally hails from Guanajuato, Mexico — now has a number of multiplatinum albums and is set to headline the La Onda Stage on Day 1.
Set time: 8:15-9:45 p.m. June 1; La Onda Stage
Alejandro Fernandez
The son of the legendary Mexican crooner Vicente Fernández, this talented singer has certainly established his own legacy over the last 30-plus years. His many accomplishments include having sold more than 20 million albums since releasing his eponymous debut in 1992, winning three Latin Grammy Awards and earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Set time: 8:25-9:55 p.m. June 1; Verizon Stage
Fuerza Regida
The San Bernardino band got off to a fast start in its recording career, with its debut full-length studio album — 2019’s “Del Barrio Hasta Aquí” — hitting No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Albums chart on its way to achieving double-platinum heights. The group has since scored a number or other No. 1 albums, including last year’s massively popular “Pa Las Baby’s y Belikeada.”
Set time: 8:05-9:35 p.m. June 2; Verizon Stage
Los Ángeles Azules
The Mexican City outfit, known for its work in cumbia sonidera (a cumbia subgenre featuring the accordion and synthesizers), has been making music since the mid-‘70s and is known for the smash hit “Cómo Te Voy a Olvidar.” In 2018, Los Ángeles Azules reportedly became the first traditional cumbia group to perform at the Coachella music festival.
Set time: 6:55-7:55 p.m. June 1; Verizon Stage
Ximena Sariñana
Born Ximena Sariñana Rivera, but better known as Ximena Sariñana, this talented entertainer also hails from the very musical city of Guadalajara. Sariñana began as a child actor, then made a huge mark with the album “Mediocre” in 2008. That debut album surpassed its unassuming title in so many ways, earning rave reviews and a nomination for best Latin rock, alternative or urban album at the 51st annual Grammy Awards.
Set time: 2:25-3:25 p.m. June 1; Verizon Stage
Eslabon Armado
The Stanislaus County act quickly made a name for itself with the release of several platinum-plus-selling albums, including the 2020 debut “Tu Veneno Mortal” and 2022’s “Nostalgia.” The group’s single “Ella Baila Sola,” featuring Peso Pluma, has been a phenomenal success story, becoming the first regional Mexican song to hit No. 1 on Billboard Global 200.
Set time: 6:35-7:35 pm June 2; Verizon Stage
RayBurger
Some of dance music’s top acts — from Deorro to Diplo — have championed this Dallas DJ/music producer, who blends EDM and Latin music in his work. Cue up “La Hamburguesa” if you want to experience this artist’s cool EDM Latino groove.
Set time: 6:45-8 p.m. June 2; Retumba Stage