AXE Ceremonia is known as “the festival of the future” for its eclectic lineup and daring approach to targeting a multigenerational audience. For others, it is a gathering of alternative music acts in inclusive spaces, where the difference from other festivals is marked not only by the outfits chosen by attendees, but also by the diverse range of musical acts that take the stage in the marathon event. But for Diego Jiménez, director and co-founder of the festival, AXE Ceremonia is a place where the creator of the popular “corridos tumbados” genre, Natanael Cano, can headline one night, and the next day, Grammy-winning American rapper Tyler The Creator can take the stage. In between, festival-goers can also experience performances by trip-hop veterans Massive Attack, British sensation Charli XCX, South Korean boy band Tomorrow X Together, and Argentine experimental trap duo Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso.
“We like to differentiate ourselves from other festivals by focusing on youth culture rather than a specific genre or style of music,” Jiménez tells Billboard Español about the festival, now in its 12th edition, which will take place this Saturday and Sunday (April 5 and 6) at Parque Bicentenario in Mexico City. “Seeing Tyler The Creator on a festival lineup around the world is more common, but seeing him one day and Natanael Cano the next is not something you see often in other places. That gives AXE Ceremonia a very strong personality.”
Produced by ECO Live, this year’s lineup features a diverse mix of international bands and solo artists, making it one of the most innovative proposals in the spring festival season. In addition to the headliners, the festival will also feature performances by Parcels, Gesaffelstein, Nathy Peluso, The Marías, Meme del Real, pablopablo, Lil Yachty, Artemas, Hanumankind, A.G. Cook, NSQK, The Dare, Simpson Ahuevo, Brutalism 3000, and Luisa Almaguer, among others.
The 12th edition of the festival will bring Natanael Cano back to Mexico City, where he previously performed as an emerging artist in 2022. This time, he will take the stage as a headliner after becoming one of the biggest stars in regional Mexican music and selling out a concert at Estadio GNP Seguros in August 2024.
“Seeing an artist grow in that way is very exciting, and it speaks to the dialogue that exists in this city with the rest of the world, becoming a capital of culture,” says Jiménez. “AXE Ceremonia is a reflection of that, bringing together different genres and artists from different parts of the world to create a unique experience for our audience.”
In addition to the diverse musical lineup, AXE Ceremonia also offers a variety of food and beverage options, art installations, and interactive experiences, making it a truly immersive festival experience.
“We want people to come to AXE Ceremonia and feel like they are part of something special, something that is pushing the boundaries and challenging the status quo,” says Jiménez. “We want to create a space where people can come together and celebrate music, art, and culture in all its forms.