TROPA MAGICA is bringing the psychedelic cumbia-punk heat to Riverside as this year’s Mucho Gusto headliner, and trust—it’s about to go off. Hailing from East L.A. and raised on the vibes of backyard parties and 90s grunge, brothers David and Rene Pacheco have carved out a sound that's as wild and unpredictable as a Saturday night in the Inland Empire. Think: Peruvian cumbia guitars crashing into psych rock, punk attitude dipped in tropical glitter, and a groove that’ll have you sweating like you're dancing on Saturn.
Called “invigorating,” “brilliant,” and “charismatic” by the press, Tropa Magica has toured coast to coast, rocked stages with Bomba Estéreo, Molotov, and Felipe Esparza, and taken over iconic venues like the Hollywood Palladium and Desert Daze. Their cover of Nirvana as cumbia? Legendary. Their collab with Foo’s Gone Wild? Pure fire. Sponsored by Fender, Ernie Ball, and 805 Beer, these vatos have the chops, the charm, and the chaos to headline any stage—and they’re doing it here, in our backyard.
Riverside, prepárate. Tropa Magica is coming to take us tripiando al infinito, one sweaty, beautiful cumbia at a time.
Combo Chimbita is not just a band—they’re a cosmic force channeling the power of the Colombian diaspora through sound, rhythm, and ritual. Born in the underground scene of New York and shaped by the ancestral pulse of Abya Yala, their music blends psychedelic rock, cumbia, champeta, and spiritual invocations into something that feels ancient and futuristic all at once. Fronted by the powerful presence of Carolina Oliveros, their live show is a full-body experience—part ceremony, part explosion.
From jam sessions in Brooklyn basements to world tours and critically acclaimed albums like Ahomale and IRE, Combo Chimbita has built a sonic world that transcends borders. And now, for the first time, they’re bringing that world to Riverside. As our featured artists at Mucho Gusto, they embody everything this festival celebrates: bold expression, cultural memory, and music as a vehicle for connection and resistance. Prepare to be transported.
Brainstory is a trio rooted in brotherhood, soul, and the Inland Empire. Hailing from Rialto, CA and now based in L.A., siblings Kevin and Tony Martin, along with longtime friend Eric Hagstrom, blend jazz roots, tight grooves, and heartfelt songwriting into something timeless. Their latest album Sounds Good on Big Crown Records marks a creative leap, shaped by years of touring, self-recording, and deep musical growth. With production from Leon Michels and support from their extended studio family, Brainstory delivers a sound that is honest, evolved, and unmistakably their own.
El Santo Golpe was born in Riverside in 2016 and has since become a beloved hometown musical force. Blending Afro-Latin rhythms with deep cultural roots, their sound hits like a joyful wave—honoring tradition while inspiring movement. Using instruments like jarana, djembe, and accordion, and drawing from Mexican folklore, Puerto Rican bomba, and West African dance, they bring communities together through rhythm, art, and pure alegría. More than a band, El Santo Golpe is a celebration of culture and connection, proudly representing the Inland Empire wherever they go.
Two words, All caps. Four syllables. All claps.
This is QUITAPENAS
Born under California sun and rooted in the radical soul of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, QUITAPENAS brings the heat of the Afro-Latin tropics to every stage they bless. Their name means “to remove worries,” and that’s exactly what they do—one cumbia, one guitar lick, one clap at a time.
With deep love for the global south and roots in Guatemala and Mexico, this first-generation crew remixes history with rhythm, channeling the liberating sounds of Angola, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, and beyond.
Since 2011, they’ve been lighting up dance floors, gathering people in joy, and turning sorrow into celebration. Come ready to sweat, smile, and forget your troubles.
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