- Saturday 4 July
The lively rhythms of cumbia music have had an unparalleled ability to branch out in numerous directions and fuse with other genres and traditions. Cumbia has its roots in Colombia, but blossomed into a local variant in Peru in the 60s and 70s, where it was crossed with elements of surf rock and psychedelic music. And at this year's Roskilde Festival, you can experience one of the true pioneers of Peruvian cumbia, also known as Cumbia Amazónica!
Los Mirlos was formed in 1972 in Moyobamba and quickly became a defining name on the Peruvian cumbia scene with its characteristic blend of cumbia rhythms, psychedelic sound and surf-inspired guitar themes. Throughout the 70s and 80s, Los Mirlos grew into a beloved band throughout Latin America with iconic songs and captivating concerts. And in recent years, many modern DJs have sampled their psychedelic cumbia.
The band's founder and lead singer, Jorge Rodríguez Grández, remains at the helm today, managing the musical legacy with a number of younger musicians, including his own two sons. Over 50 years of experience shine through in the band, which at the same time keeps itself dynamically moving through input from younger generations of musicians.
In 2022, the film Mirlo's Dance was released, cementing the band's great importance to the development of cumbia. Since then, the legendary band has been in demand at major festivals such as Coachella, where Los Mirlos played in 2025 as the first Peruvian band ever. This summer, you are invited to a huge cumbia party when the phenomenal band visits Roskilde Festival.
