La Descarga Tropical Boom with Dj Mohair Slim at Shotkickers Sunday June 11, 8pm Tix: Early bird: $18 Door: $20

Get ready to face a fearless outburst of tropicality that will tickle your brain on the dance spot! Get your flashy get-up out. If you’re in need of a night of non-stop dancing, tropical commotions, boneshaking rhythms and explosive colourfulness, be sure to immerse yourself into La Descarga’s night of tropical boom. This tropicality comes straight from the music and dance traditions of the Afro-Colombian regions from the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Colombia, South America layered with the one and only Aussie power. The band has been playing for over a decade bringing closer and closer the coastal rhythms of the coffee country, also known for having a knack for throwing the best parties and its passionate people, with some of Melbourne’s urban sounds like funk, dub, and electronica. So get ready for the fiesta and get your tix for a tropical fix! Colombia is known as "The land of a thousand rhythms" holding over 1000 folk rhythms. La Descarga explores the roots and sounds of these many rhythms from the coasts including Cumbia, Gaita, Champeta, Porro, Currulao, Chandé, Mapalé, Tambora. La Descarga has been influenced deeply by the street carnival cultures of Latin America with their upbeat music, colours and dance, mixing the old and the new grooves and moves of Colombian and world tropical culture; and bringing these vibes to the stage and street environments of many of Australia’s most beloved festivals including MOOMBA, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Darwin Festival, Brunswick Music Festival, Australian Multicultural Festival, White Night Melbourne, Reservoir Stomp, Waterfront Festival and Darebin Music Feast. La Descarga has released several singles including 'Eliminala', 'Chande Gozoso', and 'Ten Mucho Cuidado' and is warming up to release their first LP in 2023. Dj Mohair Slim, host of PBS Blue Juice radio show and avid vinyl records collector will be joining the party bringing rare gems from the past and sharing them with the crowd. And when it comes to Cumbia and Latin music from the 1960s, his love and knowledge of these genres runs deep. Cumbia, with its infectious rhythms and joyful melodies, has been a staple of Latin American music for over a century. But it was in the 1960s that this genre truly exploded in popularity, with countless bands and artists putting their own spin on the classic sound. From the psychedelic fuzz guitar of Chicha to the organ-driven grooves of Fruko, there's no shortage of amazing Cumbia records from this era. But his passion for Latin music of the 1960s goes beyond just Cumbia. From the boogaloo of New Yor-Rico to the exotica out of Mexico, there's an incredible range of sounds and styles to explore. Whether Mohair is digging through dusty crates in record shops or scouring the internet for obscure rarities, He’s always on the lookout for the next great find. As a DJ, it's his job to not only share these incredible records with the audience, but to educate them on the rich history and culture behind the music. From the origins of Cumbia in Colombia to the African roots of ska and blues, there's so much to discover and appreciate. The Melbourne weather might be getting cold, but for Tropical Boom at Shotkickers it will be surely nice and warm amigos! This event takes place on the stolen land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We respectfully acknowledge elders past, present and emerging.