Lobo Lara, a vibrant sensation in the music scene, truly lit up the Treefort Music Festival 2024 with his mesmerizing cumbia rhythms intertwined with hip hop elements. Originally known as Niño Lobos, this artist has undergone a fascinating transformation, evolving from electro pop to trip hop, then to hip hop, and finally finding his unique niche within the cumbia genre—a style that resonates deeply with his roots and has garnered attention from all corners of the globe; including cumbia icons.
During his set at the Treefort Music Festival, Lobo Lara (aka Edgar Lara), accompanied by the talented bassist and drummer Chilli Willy (aka Mason Valverde), delivered one of the festival’s most memorable performances. The crowd, a diverse tapestry of all backgrounds, was united under the groove of Lobo Lara’s handcrafted and expertly curated cumbia sound, proving that his music transcends borders and generations. In “Hijo de la Cumbia,” Lobo Lara transcends traditional musical landscapes, offering listeners a unique expedition from celestial spaces to the rich, earthy essence of cumbia. This album stands out with its innovative approach, blending the rhythmic pulse of Dark Cumbia with the vibrant energy of Electro Cumbia, all while maintaining the characteristic slowed-down vocals that Lobo Lara is known for. This concoction not only enriches the genre but also pioneers a new subgenre, which could be described as ‘Cumbia Pesada,’ setting a new benchmark in the music industry.
The Treefort Music Fest itself, celebrated for encapsulating the best of independent art, respectable rhetoric, and industry-pioneering ideas, provided the perfect platform for Lobo Lara’s standout performance. The festival, sprawling over 60 venues in downtown Boise, featured over 450 bands and hundreds of events, aligning perfectly with Lobo Lara’s own musical journey and ethos.
Reflecting on Lobo Lara’s origins, his initial foray into music as Niño Lobos showcased a blend of electro-pop and alternative rock, heavily influenced by a melange of Latin American and American music styles. The transformation from Niño Lobos to Lobo Lara signifies more than just a change in name; it represents a profound evolution in sound and identity, mirroring his journey from youth to adulthood, from a budding musician to a cumbia luminary. This journey, marked by a relentless pursuit of originality and breaking the mold, has led him to where he is today—standing out as a vanguard in the music scene.
Treefort Music Festival, in its essence, represents a convergence of various arts and music, much like Lobo Lara’s own blend of cultural and musical influences. His performance at this festival not only showcased his growth and adaptation as an artist but also underscored the festival’s reputation as a haven for innovative and independent music, making it a fitting stage for Lobo Lara’s unique sound and vibrant performance.
As we continue to keep tabs on Lobo Lara’s musical journey, his transition from Niño Lobos to the cumbia sensation he is today stands as a testament to the dynamic and evolving nature of music, and his performance at Treefort Music Festival 2024 will undoubtedly be remembered as a pivotal moment in his burgeoning career.
