Mexico City pulses, beats, and resonates like few other places in the world. For many, it’s the true cultural epicenter of Latin America: a hotbed of art, diversity, and constant motion. Here, ancient history mixes with the electricity of the contemporary in a city that never stops reinventing itself. It’s a crossroad where communities from all over Mexico—and the world—come together, creating a delicious blend of accents, aesthetics, traditions, and sounds.
In this explosive mix, music doesn’t just show up—it takes center stage. CDMX is a true creative lab where everything intersects and fuses. Cumbia and techno dance together here. So do folk and trap, son jarocho and experimental jazz. There’s no other city on the continent that weaves together so many music scenes so naturally. In one weekend, you can sweat it out at a punk show in Narvarte, sing along to feminist reggaeton on a rooftop in La Juárez, and end up screaming your heart out with Rosalía or Muse at Foro Sol. Everything’s on the table.
It’s in this vibrant musical ecosystem that MusicMex was born—the new Mexican music market aiming to become the go-to platform connecting local projects with global audiences. Across three intense days packed with panels, workshops, and talks from key industry figures, one thing became clear: Mexico isn’t just importing talent anymore—it’s exporting it too. And being part of this ecosystem means you’re right at the center of the region’s sonic future.
One thing that stands out: MusicMex is founded and run by women. Mariana Dorantes, Cynthia Flores, and Valeria Ramos—each with significant experience in the national and international music industry—saw an opportunity and ran with it. Their goal? To make this event a staple on the industry calendar.
Cynthia Flores put it this way: “MusicMex is a project betting on unity in the Mexican music community. It’s a meeting point for us to see each other, take stock of what’s going on, and spark initiatives for mutual growth.”
Malfi Dorantes added: “For any national or international delegate, CDMX is a trigger city for their strategies. It’s crucial to get to know the city, observe how music is consumed, and connect with the local industry players to really make the most of it.”
What Was Said (and Heard) at MusicMex
MusicMex covered it all—from the state of recorded music in Mexico with Guillermo González King (AMPROFON), to the future of music sync with Chava Carreón, Héctor Vázquez, and Martha Fritz. There were unmissable sessions featuring voices from major platforms like YouTube and TikTok, as well as distributors like The Orchard and Symphonic, who are powering the music biz. Promo giants like OCESA and Apodaca also showed up with their vision and expertise.
There were also intimate and inspiring conversations—like the one with Gabriela Morales, director of the Cervantino International Festival, or with Lalo Rojas, founder of Caballeros. And the cherry on top? A heart-to-heart between the brilliant Silvana Estrada and her manager Edwin Erazo about navigating the often dizzying world of global music, as a team.
And to give things a global twist, MusicMex welcomed special guest delegations from Australia and the Philippines, represented by Dom Alessio (Sounds Australia), Emmanuel Urrutia (The Rest Is Noise), and MC Galang (AXEAN Festival). It was a rare chance to build bridges between Mexico’s scene and musical geographies that are as far away as they are fascinating.
The Showcases: When the Future Sounds Live
In this business, love comes through the ears. MusicMex’s showcases were a living, breathing glimpse into everything that’s about to blow up. Here are five standout acts that truly lit up the stage:
Yorka (Chile)
This sister duo—Daniela and Yorka Pastenes—has built a career filled with sensitivity, emotion, and light. With six albums under their belt and a decade on the road, their music blends stunning vocal harmonies with lyrics that comfort, move, and connect. In 2023, they won gold in Viña del Mar’s International Competition with their track “Viento”, cementing their global rise.
Yorka’s live set is an emotional experience. Their take on pop is rooted in honesty and vulnerability—sophisticated, warm, and deeply human. Now, based in Mexico, they’re kicking off a new chapter full of uncharted sounds and directions. If you haven’t heard them yet, get ready to meet your new favorite band.
PINES (Australia)
Straight from Adelaide, Australia, PINES brings a hypnotic, dreamy, and cinematic electronic sound. Their music blends future bass, ambient, and brilliant melodic lines that feel like they’re pulled straight from an epic film. Their albums Dreamcycle (2020) and Life As We Know It (2024) have already racked up over 30 million streams.
They’re masters of atmosphere—soundtracking journeys with your eyes closed, movement without thought. After touring the U.S., they’ve now hit Latin America with power. If you’re into expansive emotions and beats that awaken all your senses, PINES is the gem you didn’t know you needed.
Rosas (Mexico)
Rosas is the project of Mexican artist Víctor Rosas. His music feels like a modern poem set to melody. With sharp artistic vision and delicate sensitivity, he weaves the personal with the collective, the traditional with the contemporary. His work is textured, nuanced, and deeply emotional.
No surprise he’s already caught the eye of key players in the scene—his appearance at Pitchfork Music Festival CDMX is just the beginning. Rosas is proof that it’s possible to speak from Mexico to the world with a voice that’s clear, beautiful, and full of meaning.
La Zorra Zapata (Peru)
Nuria Zapata—aka La Zorra Zapata—is one of those artists who you just can’t ignore. Her music is bold, expansive, and blends the visceral with the poetic. In 2024, she released Quema o Ilumina, her third album, and in 2025 became the first solo Peruvian singer-songwriter to record a KEXP session.
Her style defies genres and structures, pushing the boundaries of Latin American alt-music. Onstage, her presence is magnetic. Her voice? The kind that makes you stop in your tracks. If you’re craving something raw, intense, and real—La Zorra Zapata is a must.
Valeria Jasso (Mexico)
This young singer-songwriter from Mérida, Yucatán, is turning heads with her exceptional talent and fresh sound. Her music blends organic elements and a voice full of texture that reflects her roots, while fusing Latin vibes with today’s alt sounds.
Valeria connects deeply through songs that tell personal, empowering stories. Her album Suspiros is a snapshot of her artistic honesty and her ability to navigate different sonic worlds. With disarming authenticity and a voice that transports you, Jasso is clearly one of the brightest voices in Mexico’s contemporary scene.
Photos by Emilio Hernandez for MusicMex.
