I’m impressed with various cool shit that goes down in Mexico. That place can have real edge. Sometimes people like to do things a bit differently huh. Since 2010 Monterrey’s reviving cultural scene has produced a new music festival curated by New York’s Todd Patrick and arts/promotion collective NRMAL. From March 6-10 in excess of 100 bands will play across the city’s most exciting cultural spaces. Next holiday destination? I think so.

The line up includes Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Twin Shadow, DIIV, Sky Ferreira, Mykki Blanco, Nguzunguzu, Trash Talk, King Tuff, Brujería, Laurel Halo, Mac DeMarco, Main Attrakionz, Parquet Courts, Sun Araw, Total Freedom, Dope Body, Kitty Pryde, Pete Swanson, Pierced Arrows (formerly Dead Moon), Physical Therapy, and many more…

“Monterrey is Mexico’s closest major city to the United States, yet because of restrictive USA immigration visa policies, many Latin American bands and music fans aren’t able to make it to the U.S. to attend festivals like SXSW,” says Todd Patrick. “Hosting a festival like FESTIVAL NRMAL over the border — in Mexico — has a special urgency to us, especially now.”

NRMAL and Patrick join DIY labels Sexbeat (London) and Vale Vergas Discos (Mexico) to showcase artists, musicians, promoters, photographers, designers, illustrators, filmmakers and architects over the four days which culminate into a huge outdoor closing day festival on the 10th. Tickets are currently on sale for a very affordable $25 USD. Check out the festival mixtape:

- Theway Peoplestare