The funky beats and Latin rhythms of Urban Latino took over Beck’s Festival Bar as part of the Sydney Festival last Friday night. The lineup included a bunch of awesome local and international Latino acts, each as cool, passionate and impressive as the other, attracting the cream of Sydney’s European and South American community.

I arrived just as Reyes de la Onda were beginning their act. The fusion of hiphop, funk and reggae was sweet and sexy. There was no choice but to dance. It felt like I was in Barcelona, drinking under the warm night sky, surrounded by women who could samba and men could salsa. There was none of the pretentiousness that seems to permeate Sydney bars, but instead a bunch of friendly, happy people who didn’t seem to be drunk or high on anything except music and life.

The main act was ten-piece band Son Veneno. Ten musicians in one band might seem excessive, but according to trumpet player Skip, they are all essential to the harmony. “You will notice if we take out one instrument,” he says. Maybe he’s right. Two trumpets, a trombone, a keyboard, drums, vocals… It’s a sound sensation. They describe themselves as having no genre: “afro-latin rhythms, hip-hop ferocity, trance like drum and bass, head-banging funk, driven ska and playful reggae”. The Latin beats sounded more South American than English, where most of the band members originate, except the gorgeous main singer who is apparently Chilean and, I am told, a guest singer from Maya Jupiter. Their name translates to “We are poison”, and that’s what they were: we were intoxicated by the wonderful music. Everyone, everywhere throughout the barracks were dancing, putting the fun into the funky.

San Veneno is moving up and down the east coast for the next few months, so check them out if you get the chance. And if you haven’t been to Beck’s Festival Bar, it’s worth a visit before the Sydney Festival ends. Outdoor bars are a rarity in Sydney, particularly coupled with good, live music. Even the staff and security were lovely. Check out the inthemix Full Coverage page HERE.