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3w ago

US Embassy Visa Review Forces Grupo Firme to Cancel La Onda Fest Show

The move reflects a broader push by the State Department to crack down on Mexican artists perceived to glorify cartel violence.

FILE - Members of the Mexican regional band "Grupo Firme" perform during a free concert in Mexico City's main square, the Zocalo, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo, File)
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The La Onda festivval in Napa on June 2, 2024. Grupo Firme, the chart-topping regional Mexican band based in Tijuana, has canceled its scheduled performance at this weekend’s La Onda festival in Napa, after being denied entry into the United States.
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Overview

  • Grupo Firme withdrew from its headlining slot at La Onda Fest on June 1 after its visas and those of its promoter entered an administrative process at the US Embassy in Mexico.
  • Festival organizers named Tito Double P as the replacement act on the Verizon Stage and confirmed that ticket terms do not allow refunds for lineup changes.
  • The State Department has recently revoked or suspended visas for other Mexican musicians, including Julión Álvarez and Los Alegres del Barranco, over allegations of performing cartel-glorifying music.
  • In April, lead singer Eduin Caz publicly stated that Grupo Firme avoids narcocorridos, emphasizing their focus on love and heartbreak songs.
  • The US Embassy declined to discuss individual cases, citing confidentiality laws governing visa records.