May is here and its time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. It looks like the music world is celebrating too, with half of the ten best top pick concerts performing music from our immediate southern neighbor, Mexico.
1. Oscar D'Leon
May 5, James L. Knight Center, MiamiOscar D'Leon is Venezuela's top musical export. If you love salsa, this concert should be worth twice the price of admission.
2. RBD
May 7, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WAMay 19, 20 AllState Arena, Rosemont, IL
May 28, HiFi Buys Amphitheatre, Atlanta, GA
Straight from their popular TV show Rebelde, RBD is Mexico's hottest export since tequila.
3. Sin Bandera
May 5, Mexican Heritage Plaza, San Jose, CAMay 12, Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal CityWalk, Los Angeles, CA
May 13, Dodge Theatre, Phoenix, AZ
May 26, Ana-Anselmo Valencia Amphitheatre, Tucson, AZ
May 27, El Paso County Coliseum, El Paso, TX
Popular Latin pop duo Sin Bandera will be performing in the southwest U.S. this month. They named their musical team "Without a Flag" to symbolize world brothership.
4. Los Kumbia Kings & Intocable
May 20, Coors Amphiteatre, Englewood, COTwo great Texas bands join together to bring you cumbia and norteno music.
May 19, Gibson Amphitheatre, Universal CityWalk, Los Angeles, CA
May 28, Smirnoff Music Centre, Dallas, TX
5. Ana Gabriel
May 13, DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, DCMay 17, Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, FL
Ana Gabriel's last album showed the guys that ranchera is not exclusively a man's world. Gabriel is something special singing this genre of traditional, romantic, Mexican music.
6. Wisin y Yandel - Invasion Del Reggaeton III: with Angel & Khris & More
May 13, Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal CityWalk, Los Angeles, CAPuerto Rican Reggaeton seems to be taking over the Latin airwaves lately. Wisin y Yandel lead the pack in this concert called an "invasion", which pretty much describes what's happening on the Latin music scene this year.
7. Vicente Fernandez
May 13, Cow Palace, San Francisco, CAMay 27, Coors Amphitheatre, Chula Vista, CA
May 28, Sellend Arena @ Fresno Convention Center, Fresno, CA
Vicente Fernandez is the "king of ranchera" for a reason. His large voice and caballero manner make ranchera music something spectacular.
8. Juanes
May 24, Gibson Amphitheatre, Universal City Walk, Los Angeles, CAJuanes' May concert Colombia Sin Menas benefits the people (especially the children) maimed by anti-personnel landmines scattered across Colombia. (This concert incorrectly appeared in the April 2006 list) The concert features an all-star cast: Alejandro Sanz, Ana Gabriel, Carlos Vives, Laura Pausini and more!
9. Ozomatli
May 27, 28, House of Blues Anaheim, Anaheim, CAOzomatli is the Aztec god of dance and music. Ozomatli, the band, hails from Los Angeles and plays a special kind of funk and rock en espagnol. If Latin alternative rock lights your fire, Anaheim is the place to be.
10. Eddie Palmieri
May 15, S.O.B.'s, New York, NYEddie Palmieri is one of the great Latin jazz pianists. New Yorkers will get to see a classic perform with rhythm and style.
