Colombia’s biggest alternative music festival returns to Bogota

(Photo: Festival Estereo Picnic)

The Estereo Picnic Festival is preparing to present 41 international artists on two main stages to an excited Bogota audience, starting April 3-5.

Now in its fifth year, the Estereo festival is the chance for Colombia’s alternative music fans to enjoy three days of their favorite bands.

The line up, announced in November 2013, will feature international names such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pixies, Phoenix, Tiesto, Gogol Bordello and Nine Inch Nails.

Colombian acts will also be performing, including Bomba Estereo, La 33, Monsieur Perine, the Petit Fellas, Arbol de ojos, Mateo Lewis and Charles King.

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The Pixies announced that they will officially release their first new album in 20 years in the weeks following Estero – but will play their 12 new songs at the festival first.

“Making new music seemed to be something we had to do – we could not continue touring without any new material. So the point was to sit down to write and record, and we are very happy with how everything turned out, ” drummer David Lovering told international press.

Estereo will also host the first appearance of Nine Inch Nails in Colombia since their 2008 gig was cancelled, due to technical problems.

MORE: Bogota’s Estereo Picnic Festival reveals spectacular line-up for 2014 edition

The festival is a haven from the busy streets of Bogota. Located in Parque Deportivo 222 just outside of the city, the site will feature art installations, popup clothes shops, hay bales and other forms of outdoor seating. Guests are also welcome to bring tents, although camping at the festival overnight is not permitted.

This year’s festival also has separate recycling bins for organic and recyclable materials, as well as a system encouraging fans to fill a plastic bag with bottles. Once the bag is full attendees can return the bag to a recycling point and receive reward coupons, which can be redeemed at on-site restaurants.

Sources

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