Sidestepper 
Colombia

– PERFORMING SUNDAY –

Based in Bogotá, Colombia, Sidestepper are the pioneers of Latin electronic dance music. Mixing intoxicating beats with Colombia’s native cumbia sound (accordion led dance music), Sidestepper has been bringing the joyful grooves and intoxicating South American melodies to life on dance floors for 20 years. The group helped transform the Colombian music scene, inspiring a new generation to marry Latin music with cutting edge beats.

It began as a solo studio project in 1996 for producer Richard Blair, who had worked for Peter Gabriel at Real World making a record with Colombian legend Totó La Momposina. Blair went to Colombia to work with her in ’93 and stayed. He started a production and writing duo with Colombian song writer Iván Benavides, and created a band. Sidestepper´s music and shows became legendary, the guarantee of a great party that starts on stage and ends in a collective euphoric experience.

Recently, the band has been delved into a more organic and fresh sound that celebrates the traditions of other incredible South American dance bands – the great orquestas of Colombia, Haiti, Trinidad, Cuba and Africa. These were bands that existed well before the electronic revolution in the 80s and 90s. It’s still a dance band, but now the beats are made with hand drums, seeds and shakers, kalimbas, flutes and guitar, driving the melodic vocals. Strong and groovy, timeless and fluid, this is joyful and uplifting music.