The conference officially kicked off yesterday. No panels, but the artists started to check in and we took to assembling our NYC studio to bring the show to you live Thurs and Friday night.

Mexican singer-songwriter Carla Morrison stopped by for a chat, as did Chilean artist & producer Alex Anwandter — everyone likes lounging on our sweet balcony of 38th floor of the New Yorker — and they’ll be back for live interviews later this week.

Raul opened the first concert of the week at the Central Park Summerstage.  We’ve been coming to LAMC for years but the weather is especially GORGEOUS this week — a fantastic night and packed crowd for Mexican singer-songwriter Ximena Sariñana to close out her tour, and headliner Mala Rodriquez — long-time and renowned Spanish hip-hop artist swelled the crowd to a roar with her sexy and ferocious performance.

We rolled over to the showcase at The Mercury Lounge and caught killer sets by Alex Anwandter, among others and watched L.A.’s own La Santa Cecilia conquer the crowd for the final act.

Finally, as if an awesome evening couldn’t get any better, we piled into House DJ and producer Jon Cutler’s SUV with Alex Anwandter to catch Louie Vega’s set at New York City’s legendary “Cielo” in the West Village and close out the wee hours of the AM.

Amazing start to a fantastic week of music!

By LAMC Host & KCRW DJ, Raul Campos & Road Dog, KCRW Cohort, Dancin’ Machine & Assistant Producer Brent Gordon.

There are a couple considerations to increase your odds of making it out alive after the Latin Alternative Music Conference. Here is number 4.

LAMC Survival Tip #4

Locals
Speaking of friends…beyond taking in music, the one thing you can’t BRING in your survival kit… is the infinite resources of local music lovers.  Sure we’ve gone to NYC a bunch of time and LAMC brings artists from all over the World, but like all great cities, the night-life and music scene remain as dynamic as certain rock venues remain timeless.  A Smart Phone is invaluable… but someone who LIVES in the city is gonna REALLY know the best way to get to from Manhattan to Williamsburg. The artist showcases are over…but you’re having too much fun to go back to the hotel?  A friendly local knows where the REAL after-party is and how to get you inside.  They’re also gonna know where best to grab a bite at 4am.  Besides, if you become good friends…you’ve got someone’s floor to crash on if you decide to stay in New York an extra day.

Survival Tip #1 here: Comfortable Bed, Heavy Drapes, and the DO NOT DISTURB door knob hanger
Survival Tip #2 here: Bring some hearing protection
Survival TIp # 3 here: Metro Card and Small Bills