Rock al Parque
Rock al Parque is a rock music festival which, since 1995, has taken place in Bogotá, Colombia. Entry to the festival is free of charge. In 2004, 400,000 people took part in the event.[3] It is considered the largest rock festival in Colombia and one of the most important in Latin America, arguably the largest free rock festival in the continent[citation needed]. It has ska, punk, hardcore, metal, and other genres included in its program.
History
The first edition of this festival happened in 1995. It started as a continuation of the 'Youth Music meetings' held at the city's Planetarium in 1992. The people behind the organization were Mario Duarte and Julio Correal. The initial purpose was to gain the support of Bogota's Institute of Culture and Tourism, to establish it. The first edition of this festival happened during May 26 and 29, 1995, within several venues. To mention them, the most representative one known as 'La Media Torta', The Simón Bolívar Park, the 'Olaya Herrera's Stadium, and 'the Santa María Bullfighting' Ring. This last one was the only venue requesting admission fees for participants. Therefore, after 1996, the festival organisers decided to exclude this last venue, "the Santa María Bullfighting Ring", in order to feature the festival "free of charge for admission" since.
The festival, which originally only included rock music, gradually opened up its doors to promote other genres, such as punk, reggae, ska and blues musicians. Due to the increase in diversity, the festival's organizers started scheduling bands so that different types of musicians could participate alongside one another, as opposed to grouping acts by genre.
Nowadays the festival takes place over three days at Bogotá's Simon Bolivar Park. The festival is broadcast live over 2 radios: 'Canal Capital', and 'Radiónica'.
The sale of alcohol at Rock al Parque is prohibited, as is smoking, despite the fact that the event takes place outdoors. Concertgoers are not allowed entry if they are wearing belts with metallic buckles, as these can be used as weapons. Furthermore, all concertgoers have to go through a routine security inspection before entering the concert grounds, and may even be asked to remove their shoes and socks if need be. Concerts are scheduled between 1:00 and 10:00 pm.
Participants
The festival features national and international bands of different genres. After 1997, artists were selected by a jury after an open multi-stage process (pre-selection, presentation and live auditions). As an incentive, the chosen bands win prizes, as well as the opportunity to share the stage with international bands. Sometimes, acts are invited by the organizing committee directly. Up to year 2009 there have been 473 artists and 3,092,000 people. The third edition of the festival in 1997, had the largest number of participants, with 87 bands. On the other hand, the eighth edition, in 2002, had the fewest, with only 25. On average, 51.6 bands have performed annually at 'Rock al Parque'. The 2004 edition, which marked the festival's 10th anniversary, had over 400,000 spectators.
Colombian musicians
Rock al Parque has played host to several local bands during its 14-year history. Below is a listing of some of these bands.
| Year | Band Lineup |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1280 Almas, Aterciopelados, Catedral, La Derecha, Marlohabil, Morfonia |
| 1996 | Agony, Dogma, La Pestilencia, Polikarpa y Sus Viciosas, Sagrada Escritura, Una tal Sofía. |
| 1997 | Cancerbero Death Metal, Kraken, Lady Dick (La Minne) |
| 1998 | Sha-i, Superlitio, Tenebrarum, Ultrágeno |
| 1999 | Sha-i |
| 2000 | Aterciopelados, Dr. Krápula, Koyi K Utho, Los De Adentro, Pornomotora, Vulgarxito, Sha-i, Insane |
| 2001 | Sha-i, Insane |
| 2003 | 1280 Almas, Diva Gash, La Pestilencia, Insane |
| 2005 | Adhesivo, Ataque en Contra, Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra, Cuerpo Meridiano, Estados Alterados, I.R.A., Kraken, Nawal, Neurosis, R.A.I.Z., Sustancias Psicotrópicas, The Black Cat Bone, Tráfico, Visor |
| 2007 | Aterciopelados, Chucho Merchán, Koyi k utho, Ultrágeno, Hotel Mama. |
| 2008 | 1280 Almas, Andrés Osorio's Band, Awaken, Barriosanto, Ciegosordomudos, Deeptrip, Delavil, Doctor Krápula, El Hombre Limón, El Sie7e, El Sinsentido, Enepei, Entropy, Ethereal, Fractal Flesh, F-Mac, Heartless, Kronos, Loathsome Faith, Massacre, Mmodcats, Monojet, No Importa, Odio a Botero, Popcorn, Pornomotora, Profetas, Santafuma, Señores Usuarios, Smoking Underdog, Solokarina, The Swingers, Thunderblast, Tio Cabeza, Velandia y la Tigra |
International musicians
Throughout the last 14 years this festival has played host to a number of groups representing different countries, including:
| Country | Invited Bands |
|---|---|
| Argentina | A.N.I.M.A.L., Botafogo, Carajo, Catupecu Machu, Divididos, Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas, Auténticos Decadentes, Karamelo Santo, Todos Tus Muertos, Luis Alberto Spinetta, Miranda!, Babasónicos, Turf, Los Pericos, Azafata, Horcas, la Mosca Tse tse, Capri, Fito Páez, Andrés Calamaro |
| Chile | Dracma, Gangas, Guiso, Los Bunkers, Los Tetas, Lucybell, los Mox!, Gondwana, Chancho en Piedra |
| Bolivia | Octavia |
| Puerto Rico | Puya, Robi Draco Rosa |
| Uruguay | Cuarteto De Nos |
| United States | Brujería, Coheed And Cambria, Dead Kennedys, Earth Crisis, Fear Factory, Have Heart, Suicidal Tendencies, VHS or BETA, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Volumen Cero, Agent Steel, Death by Stereo, Día de los Muertos, Morbid Angel, A Place to Bury Strangers, Mutemath, Overkill, D.R.I., The Dillinger Escape Plan |
| Mexico | Café Tacuba, Fobia, Jaguares, Maldita Vecindad, Molotov, Panda, Resorte, Telefunka, Kinky, Austin TV, Riesgo de Contagio, Los Concorde, Panteón Rococó, Division Minuscula, Zoé, Plastilina Mosh, Control Machete, Julieta Venegas, Thermo, La Lupita, Guillotina, Ely Guerra, Víctimas del Doctor cerebro, Finde, Quiero Club, El Gran Silencio, Volován, Nortec, Dildo |
| Ecuador | Rocola Bacalao, Muscaria, SIQ, Cruks en Karnak, Descomunal |
| Finland | Apocalyptica |
| France | Manu Chao, Sergent Garcia |
| Netherlands | Agresión, Laberinto |
| Panama | Cienfue, Filtro Medusa |
| Brazil | Eminence, Ratos de Porão, Lenine |
| Venezuela | Amigos Invisibles, Desorden Público, King Changó, Papashanty, Spias, Zapato 3, Chuck Norris, Candy66, Sur Carabela |
| United Kingdom | Skindred, Paradise Lost, Carcass, Bloc Party |
| Spain | La Kinky Beat, Seguridad Social, Fritanga |
| El salvador | Adhesivo |
| Jamaica | The Skatalites |
| Peru | Noize, La Sarita, Líbido, Zopilotes, Huelga de Hambre |
| Germany | Niños con bombas (with Venezuelan members), Haggard, Destruction |
References
- ↑ Davies, Edmonds & Maxwell-Hyslop 1937, pp. 147–148, 168.
- ↑ Rodrigues 2013, p. fn 19.
- ↑ Rock al Parque
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rock al parque. |
- Official Website (Spanish)
- iGoNative Festivals and Events in Colombia