Emerging artists face an uphill battle in today’s music landscape. Their success often hinges on algorithms, digital streaming platform playlists, viral moments, or signing with the right label. Platforms like NPR’s Tiny Desk (check out our post on 5 Colombian Artists Who Rocked the Tiny Desk Stage) and Sofar Sounds have played crucial roles in showcasing new talent. IN this space, A COLORS SHOW has emerged as a powerful cultural force, offering a minimalist, monochromatic setting for music lovers to discover fresh, under-the-radar sounds.
A COLORS SHOW is a cultural hub where music, fashion, and entertainment collide. Unlike Tiny Desk or Sofar Sounds, A COLORS SHOW emphasizes substances over interaction. There is no live audience, and artists typically perform just one track, often unreleased, which makes each performance intimate and focused on the music itself. The fuss-free format allows the artists to shine in an era that often rewards short attention spans and flashy viral moments.
What really sets A COLORS SHOW apart, though, is its commitment to diversity. The platform showcases musicians from all around the world, offering a global stage for Black, Brown, LGBTQ, multilingual, and multi-ethnic artists who are often underrepresented in mainstream media. A COLORS SHOW is a disrupter, celebrating individuality and authenticity—qualities that resonate deeply with today’s audiences and are often lost in mainstream music platforms.
For emerging Colombian artists, performing on A COLORS SHOW can be a game-changer. The platform’s global reach helps them build fanbases well beyond Colombia’s borders. With this exposure, they’re able to connect with new listeners while staying true to their unique identity.
Here are 5 Colombian Artists Who Have Left Their Mark on A COLORS SHOW
Lido Pimienta
The monochromatic backdrop of the performance is essential to A COLORS SHOW’s aesthetic and Lido Pimienta’s performance was no exception. The orange-brown hue creates a warm earthy vibe that might also reflect a deeper connection to nature and earth, potentially linking her to her indigenous heritage. The performance was timed before the release of her album Miss Colombia, a body of work that is a bold protest against Colombian society. While the studio version of the song features Li Saumet from Bomba Estéreo, Pimienta’s solo performance on A COLORS SHOW showcases her individual power, placing the focus entirely on her voice and presence.
Lido’s choice of attire—an oversized, flowing dress that blends with the set, paired with fun, flower adorned white platform shoes—makes a clear statement. A duality that mirrors the themes of her work: navigating multiple identities, embracing her indigenous roots, and standing firm against the forces of colonialism. Her long braids nearly touching the floor, are a powerful symbol of identity, and become an extension of her body and her performance. She uses them as part of her dance, adding movement, and grace. Lido Pimienta’s A COLORS SHOW performance is a masterclass.
Delfina Dib
Delfina Dib is Argentinian, but her long-standing residency in Colombia had deeply influenced her music. This blending of cultures is evident in her sound, which incorporates Colombian urban characteristics and reggaeton rhythms.
The performance is set against a light blue backdrop that brings to mind a crisp, cold sky—a subtle, calming contrast to the fire and passion of the song. Delfina’s silver outfit, plays off the cool blue hue of the set, creating a visually striking contrast. This silver look can also be seen as a an armor, protecting her emotionally as she navigate the themes of heartbreak and loneliness in the lyrics.
Juliana
The set design for this performance features a pinkish hue, which gives the space a warm, soft feeling that contrasts with the heaviness of the song’s narrative. “Narices Frias” tells a vivid, cinematic story reminiscent of Willie Colón or Rubén Blades. The song is a story about a mix of fleeting love, crime, and consequence, all wrapped in the gritty realities of the streets. The song builds slowly, starting with a reflective tone that mirrors the somber storytelling, before transitioning into a vibrant salsa rhythm. Her vocals amplify the drama and emotion behind the lyrics, making the performance unforgettable.
Juliana’s choice of a bold, bright red leather bell-bottom outfit immediately commands attention. The bright red not only reflects her confidence but also ties into the them of passion, danger, and intensity that are woven throughout the song. Juliana’s performance of “Narices Frías” on A COLORS SHOW is a masterful blend of storytelling, style, and stage presence.
Gabriel Garzón-Montano
Gabriel Garzón-Montano opens his set draped in a dramatic white overcoat, performing “Someone,” an R&B track that explores love, loss, and reconciliation. The overcoat evokes a ghostly presence, fitting for a song about past emotions. He sheds this ghost, seamlessly transitioning into “Agüita,” an upbeat, reggaeton swag track that blends his streetwise confidence and cultural nods to Colombia and Brooklyn. He closes his medley with “Bloom,” a stripped-down acoustic track, accompanied by a guitar and women playing violins, and violoncello, emphasizing the emotinal depth of the final piece.
His voice adapts fluidly, moving from soulful in “Someone,” to raw, bold, and confident in “Agüita,” to tender and delicate in “Bloom.” This range showcases range and command of both musical styles and emotional storytelling.
What makes this performance captivating is Garzón-Montano’s versatility, both visually and musically. He shifts effortlessly between genres—R&B, reggaeton, and acoustic balladry—each performance distinct but cohesive.
Kali Uchis
Kali Uchis brings a hauntingly soulful rendition of “Killer” from her Isolation album to A COLORS SHOW, enveloped in a striking and symbolic blood-red backdrop, amplifying the theme of betrayal and heartbreak in the song.
Dressed in a burgundy halter top, matching dark red skirt, and matching Air Max 97s she balances elegance and edge, much like the song’s mix of beauty and darkness. The backdrop, her attire, and her soulful voice work together to powerfully represent the pain and betrayal in the lyrics.
Kali Uchis’ voice is the heart of this performance. Her slow, deliberate pronunciation of the lyrics allows every word to sink in, making the emotional weight of the song more palpable. This slow delivery, coupled with the minimalistic set, allows the audience to focus fully on the emotions behind the lyrics.
The simplicity of her movements—swaying slightly to the rhythm, the occasional glance toward the camera—only adds to the intensity of the performance, allowing the focus to remain on the emotional depth of the song.
The Power of A COLORS SHOW for Colombian Artists
As A COLORS SHOW continues to grow, it offers a powerful platform for Colombian musicians to share their sounds with the world. By providing a space that focuses on authenticity and diversity, A COLORS SHOW not only reshapes how we discover music but also ensures that underrepresented voices are heard loud and clear.
For those of you looking to explore more exciting talent, I highly recommend checking out the sounds of Alexis Play, Lalo Cortés, Thaissa, and ¿Teo?. Much like the artists featured in A COLORS SHOW, they offer a fresh take on genres ranging from urban rhythms to Afro-Colombian beats. Each of thing bringing something new to the table, continuing to push the boundaries of the Colombian music scene.
