Medellín's Musical Marvel: Inside the First Ever Selina SIMS Music Conference
In the lush surroundings of Colombia's vibrant second city, a dazzling display of local talent took center stage at the inaugural Selina SIMS music conference.
"Have you seen Narcos?" a friend asked as he took in the stunning view from my top-floor hotel room overlooking Medellín. Indeed, the scene mirrored the iconic opening of the series, but that was where any similarity to the city's notorious past ended. This trip was about celebrating Medellín's remarkable transformation during an unforgettable weekend in Antioquia's capital.
Once dubbed the "most dangerous city on earth" during the 1980s reign of Pablo Escobar, Medellín has shed its dark history to become a thriving, dynamic metropolis. El Poblado, the hip southern district where I stayed, rivals the coolest areas of Barcelona or Brooklyn with its trendy coffee shops, chic boutiques, and exceptional restaurants like Alambique and Clandestino. While there are still risky areas, as with any major city, Medellín is now a highly recommended holiday destination.
Selina International Music Summit (SIMS) marked the first installment of a bold new initiative by Selina, a rapidly growing hotel/hostel chain with locations throughout Latin America. Soon to expand into North America and Europe, Selina offers a range of accommodations from hostel dorms to upscale hotel rooms, along with co-working spaces, bars, cafes, and even recording studios in some locations like Selina Medellín.
Amazingly, the idea for SIMS was conceived just two months before the festival's March debut. Despite the logistical challenges, the three-day event came together brilliantly, thanks to the tireless efforts of its organizers. The main festivities were held at Selina's newly opened Medellín location, utilizing three distinct stages: the ground-floor bar area (the Playground), an adjacent room (Monasterio), and a charming upstairs car park with a stunning city view.
The festival's lineup featured exclusively Colombian or Colombia-based artists, showcasing a diverse array of genres from garage-rock and hip-hop to electro-pop and funk. The Playground was dominated by rock acts like El Nuevo Coyote and La Banda del Bisonte, while the Car Park offered memorable performances from artists such as post-rock band Hombre Memoria, dance-punk group Room Raiders, and the soulful Mabiland. Electro-pop trio Mr Bleat, led by the striking Sara Rodas, delivered one of the weekend's standout sets.
Hip-hop enthusiasts enjoyed stellar performances by Crudo Means Raw and Doble Porcion in Monasterio, while Bogotá's Profetas fused local sounds with funk, reggae, and rap to a packed, enthusiastic crowd. Saturday's closing acts across all stages were particularly strong, with highlights including Mabiland in the Car Park, the jungle-inspired duo MITÚ in Monasterio, and El Sabor's percussion and electronic fusion in the Playground.
SIMS extended beyond the main stages with club nights at Salón Amador, one of Medellín's top venues. The club hosted notable DJ sets from Isabella Roldán and Caro Fox, further cementing Medellín's status as a burgeoning party destination.
True to its conference roots, SIMS also featured a robust schedule of talks and panels, providing valuable insights for artists on production, marketing, and breaking into international markets. This aspect of the event was well-received, demonstrating the festival's commitment to supporting local talent.
As Selina contemplates the future of SIMS, whether as a platform for international acts or a showcase for Colombian talent, the success of this inaugural event is undeniable. It was a thrilling celebration of music and culture in a city that has redefined itself, offering a glimpse into the vibrant and promising future of Medellín.
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