From Colombia’s Caribbean coast, Tonada has emerged as one of the leading groups in the new bullerengue scene. With vibrant energy and deep respect for Afro-Colombian traditions, this Barranquilla-based ensemble blends ancestral singing, powerful percussion, and contemporary arrangements into a unique musical experience.
With one foot in the Montes de María and the other in the Urabá region of Antioquia, the nine-member group has been building its musical identity since 2014, firmly rooted in traditional bullerengue. As a result, Tonada has established itself as one of the foremost reference groups in the genre.
Their work draws direct inspiration from the great masters of bullerengue, including Emilsen Pacheco, Eustiquia Amaranto, and Pabla Flórez. At the same time, they enrich the tradition with instruments not commonly associated with the style, such as piano, violin, and the Cuban tres, creating a distinctive and contemporary sound palette.
Their latest album, Bullerengue y Tonada, received critical acclaim and earned them a nomination for the 2024 Latin Grammy Awards. Every performance is an immersive celebration of rhythm, emotion, and connection, taking audiences on an unforgettable musical journey.
LAVABO
In the heart of the Marolles, tucked away in a narrow, sloping street, you’ll find Lavabo. The name of the venue sounds a bit like an experiment, and that is no coincidence. It playfully alludes to a laboratory, and indeed, some describe Lavabo as a true laboratory of the arts.
Lavabo is housed in the former premises of Brouwerij Vossen, where the famous Brussels gueuze Mort Subite was once brewed. Making gueuze is a process of experimentation, research, and refinement, and it is precisely this spirit that Lavabo carries forward today. No longer brewing beer, the venue now brews art. Throughout the year, the organisation opens its doors to a wide range of artistic activities: from concerts spanning every genre to exhibitions featuring installations and paintings, vinyl fairs, and some of the city’s most inventive party concepts.
Tonada’s performance will take place in the venue’s versatile space on the lower floor. Resembling a cellar, it gives the place a distinctly underground atmosphere in the most literal sense. The space is multifunctional: it serves as an art gallery, a stage for emerging talent, and, not least, a place to discover both classic and innovative Brussels beers.
