Festival La Onda 2026 is officially canceled. What happened?

This shocking news just dropped, and honestly, it feels like a punch in the gut. After two successful years, the abrupt cancellation has left fans and organizers alike scratching their heads.

The lineup was looking promising, and excitement was in the air—so what went wrong? Ticket sales? A lack of confidence after last year's mishaps?

The current climate in Mexico adds another layer of uncertainty, making it risky for artists to travel and perform.

It’s not just about the music; it’s about the community. Local businesses relied on the influx of festival-goers, and now, they’re left in the lurch. This is a tough loss for Latin American music lovers in Northern California.

Stay tuned for updates as we dig deeper into the reasons behind this cancellation.

In this special live reaction episode of the SF Musica Podcast, we break down Enjambre’s sold-out performance at Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. From intimate balcony views to crowd-wide singalongs, we analyze why Enjambre continues to be one of the most compelling forces in Rock en Español — even if they remain criminally underrated in the United States.

We revisit our first encounter with the band nearly a decade ago and track their evolution into a 25-year powerhouse that blends vintage crooner aesthetics, synth-driven textures, and soaring vocal harmonies. We examine how Enjambre compares to legacy acts and debate whether they represent the next generational standard-bearers of Mexican rock.

If you're into Rock en Español, Mexican indie rock, or live music culture in San Francisco, this episode is essential listening.

Chapters:

(00:00) Leaving the Venue: Immediate Reactions from Great American Music Hall
(02:10) First Encounter: Discovering Enjambre in 2018
(04:25) The “Next Wave” of Rock en Español
(06:40) Why Enjambre Is Bigger in Mexico Than the U.S.
(08:55) Live Performance Breakdown: Harmonies, Synths & Stage Presence
(11:20) New Album Preview & Setlist Surprises
(13:40) Comparisons: From Crooners to Modern Mexican Rock
(18:25) Favorite Songs & The “Dulce Soledad” Singalong Moment

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Keywords:

Enjambre, Rock en Español, Mexican rock band, Great American Music Hall, San Francisco concerts, Dulce Soledad live, Luis Humberto Navejas, SF Musica Podcast, Latin alternative rock, Mexican indie rock, sold out concert, Enjambre 2026 tour

Festival La Onda just dropped its third-year lineup — and SF Musica is reacting in real time. In this episode of the SF Musica Podcast, they break down the headliners, debate whether the festival is playing it safe or leveling up, and unpack what this year’s bill says about the future of Latin music festivals in Northern California .

Is La Onda finally broadening its Latin American reach beyond regional Mexican? Are we getting enough generational crossover to make this a true family affair? And why are female headliners still missing from the top of the lineup? From Danny Ocean hype to honest critiques about representation and risk-taking, this episode brings sharp analysis, cultural pride, and a little friendly disagreement.

If you’re thinking about Napa in May — or just care about where Latin music culture is headed — this is the conversation you need to hear .

Chapters

(00:10) Year Three Pressure: Can La Onda Bounce Back

(02:20) Headliners Revealed: Safe Bets or Power Moves

(06:51) Beyond Mexico: A Bigger Latin America Emerges

(11:08) Where Are the Women? The Representation Debate

(17:50) Dream Collabs, Cultural Moments & What Could Make This Legendary

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Buena Onda Presents has announced the lineup for the 2026 Festival La Onda, to be held in the heart of the City of Napa at the Napa Valley Expo on May 30 & 31, 2026. Headlining the festival are Maná, Ivan Cornejo, J Balvin, and Christian Nodal.

La Onda offers the hottest Latin musical acts spanning several genres, including Mexican Regional, Reggaeton, Rock, Hip Hop, Latin Pop, Salsa and more.

In addition to Maná, Ivan Cornejo, J Balvin, and Christian Nodal, the 2026 festival lineup includes Danny Ocean, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Paulo Londra, La Arrolladora, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Grupo Niche, Molotov, Hermanos Espinoza, Orishas, Chiquis, El Malilla, Los Primos del Este, Kinky, Ozomatli, Daniel, Me Estás Matando, Emmanuel Cortes, Pedro Sampaio, Julio Caesar, Arath Herce, eydrey, Frater Cosmic Beats, Delilah, and Dreah. 

In this in-depth episode of SF Musica, the conversation centers on the cultural, musical, and symbolic weight of Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl Halftime Show. More than a preview, the discussion explores how one performance can represent an entire movement in global music. The episode examines whether the show will be pure entertainment, a cultural celebration, or a subtle political statement—and why it matters on a worldwide stage.

The episode also dives into predictions and speculation, from potential surprise guests and musical direction to setlist choices and symbolic gestures. Will the performance spotlight Puerto Rico specifically, or embrace a broader Latin American identity? Will longtime fans get nostalgic deep cuts, or will the show focus on global hits designed to unite the largest audience possible? The hosts explore how time limits, audience diversity, and cultural responsibility all shape what might happen on stage.

Throughout the conversation, one idea stands out: success won’t just be measured by spectacle, but by impact—whether the performance inspires pride, unity, and recognition for Latin culture on the world’s biggest stage. This episode captures the anticipation, pressure, and excitement surrounding a historic halftime show that could become one of the most culturally significant musical moments in recent memory.

(00:00:00) Opening — A Historic Halftime Moment
The stage is set for one of the most anticipated performances in recent music history. Why this halftime show feels bigger than entertainment.

(00:06:12) The Cultural Weight Behind the Performance
This isn’t just a show—it’s representation on the world stage. What makes this moment historic for Latin music.

(00:12:48) Entertainment vs. Message — What Will We See?
Will the performance focus purely on fun, or carry deeper cultural and political meaning beneath the surface?

(00:18:55) Expectations, Pressure, and Global Impact
The challenge of delivering spectacle, symbolism, and unity in just 13 minutes.

(00:25:14) Surprise Guest Predictions Begin
Big names, bold theories, and dream collaborations—who might appear on stage?

(00:32:07) Puerto Rico or Pan-Latino Celebration?
Will the performance spotlight one culture or embrace the full diversity of Latin America?

(00:39:26) Sleeper Picks and Unexpected Possibilities
The conversation turns to unlikely appearances and shocking scenarios that could steal headlines.

(00:47:03) Setlist Strategy — Hits, Deep Cuts, or Both?
Balancing mainstream appeal with fan expectations: which songs could make the final cut?

(00:54:41) The Sound, The Energy, The Message
How music choice, performance style, and symbolism could shape the emotional impact of the show.

(01:01:18) What Defines Success?
Is success measured by spectacle, unity, cultural pride—or something deeper?

(01:06:02) Final Predictions & Closing Thoughts
Last theories, bold expectations, and why this performance could become a defining cultural moment.

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Xavi sold out the San Jose Civic — and we were there to break it all down. In this episode, we react to the rising regional Mexican star’s Bay Area stop, unpack the crowd energy, the music, the visuals, and what Xavi’s moment says about culture, identity, and the next generation of Latino artists. From brass-heavy corridos and heartbreak anthems to unexpected symbolism and a younger-than-expected audience, this is a full post-show conversation you don’t want to miss.

CHAPTERS

(01:25) Expectations vs. Reality
Did Xavi live up to the hype? We kick things off by comparing expectations from past performances to the San Jose Civic show—and why knowing (or not knowing) the catalog can completely change a concert experience.

(03:29) The Opener, the Brother, and the Vibe Check
Xavi’s younger brother Fabio opens the night. We talk stage presence, exposure, and whether the opening set helped—or hurt—the overall momentum of the show.

(05:20) Atmosphere, Audience, and a Very Young Crowd
A school night, a sold-out venue, and a surprising number of kids in attendance. We unpack the crowd energy, the intimacy of the Civic, and what Xavi’s fanbase says about his reach.

(06:58) Brass, Corridos, and Musical Versatility
From New Orleans–style brass to corridos, cumbia, and ballads, we dive into Xavi’s musicianship, his band’s standout moments, and why his versatility is both a strength and a challenge live.

(08:43) A Sold-Out Civic and a Bay Area Love Story
Xavi’s third Northern California stop in a year ends in a sellout. We track his growth, his Bay Area connection, and why this region continues to show up for him.

(11:10) Lyrics, Identity, and Role Models
Heartbreak over hype. We explore how Xavi’s lyrics resonate with younger fans, masculinity, cultural pride, and why his image feels different from others in the genre right now.

(18:08) Visuals, Symbolism, and Final Scores
From video-game graphics and cultural symbolism to merch, crowd energy, and performance stamina—we close with our final ratings and where we think Xavi goes next.