33 September 18-24, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | Gigantic Sound Machine Meet Cumbiamba, a new Miami cumbia band. BY MARIANA OCHOA O n July 28, North Miami was treated to a debut performance by Cumbiamba, an ambitious nine-piece local Cumbia band. The group performed at Four’s Fiestas Patrias event, celebrating Peru’s Inde- pendence Day. They mostly played Chicha, psychedelic Peruvian Cumbia from the ‘60s and ‘70s, covers, and original songs. Cumbiamba’s first performance was ex- plosive and unforgettable, even though the band formed and started practicing this sum- mer. “Everyone is seasoned in their own right as musicians. When we first came together to play this type of music, we had to find our rhythm as a band, but once it came together, we definitely felt like we opened some type of portal,” says Alexandre Merbouti, the singer and guitar player who formed the band. Cumbiamba consists of three guitarists: Merbouti, Luis Garcia, and Julian Gheiler. Other band members include Caro Gutiérrez on bass, Cody Mentelos on drums, Jorge Guerra on percussion, Vane “Quita Almas” Tavera-Cambana on vocals and guiro, Sarah Penello on flute and vocals, and Kevin Zapata on keyboards. Back in May, Merbouti went to a Los Mir- los show, a Peruvian Cumbia band, at the Bandshell, and was inspired to put together his own Cumbia band. “It was one of those shows where you couldn’t stop dancing; it had an infectious effect on the audience. I thought that Miami could use more of this type of energy,” says Merbouti. Cumbiamba’s first performance made it clear that not only are Miamians ready to dance to Cumbia, but they are responding to what Chicha music specifically brings. Chi- cha’s hypnotic feel comes from the combina- tion of percussion and rhythms of Andean music with electric guitars and psyche- delic rock. It’s known for having more subtle per- cussion and high- pitched guitar riffs that give it a spe- cific surf rock feel that is not really seen being played live in Miami. “Lately, guitar hasn’t been at the forefront of music. It’s been more electronic. And we are coming in with three guitars and full har- monies,” says Merbouti. When Merbouti witnessed the type of en- ergy that the Los Mirlos show brought to Mi- ami, he sent out a call through Instagram to see if there was interest from other local musi- cians. “Cumbiamba is actually my wish fulfill- ment from my walk across Puente de Los Suspiros in Barranco earlier this year. I wished for an amazing band to make Cumbia with, not thinking the opportunity to join this project in Miami would happen so shortly after,” says Vane “Quita Almas” Tavera-Cambana. The nine and sometimes ten-piece band organically formed their sound through curi- osity and genre exploration. “When there are that many people playing it becomes its own sound, we sounded gigan- tic at practices. The more we started playing, we would look at each other as if to say, ‘we made that,’” says Merbouti. Cumbiamaba’s first performance in- cluded their original song “Spooky Cumbia” and a Cumbia version of “Happy Together” in Spanish, plus original lyrics speaking to the reality of immigrant communities being targeted and taken by ICE. “Si tú quieres de- portarnos, debes deportarnos a todos,” the band sang. Cumbia is derived from Afro-Colombian coastal communities and became a symbol of cultural identity and resistance through pre- serving African heritage. From how the band got together to the flow and exploration of their practices to how their first performance came together and the response, Cumbiamba is experiencing in- credible momentum. “People are hungry for something live and less aggressively clubby. More warm and groovy energy rather than everything having to be sexy. People knew it was going to be an authentic and warm experience, at least that’s how it felt like to me,” says Merbouti. The band is tapping into something that feels ancestral yet timely. “I see Cumbia as a reflection of diasporic synthesis that started in Colombia and has spread regionally, where each regional interpretation breathes a new life to the genre; I love seeing that play out in the context of Miami’s diasporic community,” says Caro Gutiérrez. Cumbiamba is currently working on writ- ing songs and practicing for their next perfor- mance with Mala Onda. Cumbiamba. With Moonbeam Mike. 8 p.m. Saturday, September 25, at Las Rosas, 2898 NW Seventh Ave., Miami; lasrosasmiami.com. Admission is free. ▼ Music Music Cumbiamba formed their sound through curiosity and exploration of Chicha, psychedelic Peruvian Cumbia. Photo by April Nicole “PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY FOR SOMETHING LIVE AND LESS AGGRESSIVELY CLUBBY.” Getting in Tune Roger Daltrey will headline the 2026 Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp in Fort Lauderdale. BY DAVID ROLLAND N ot even a month after the Who kicked off their North American Farewell Tour at Sunrise’s Amerant Bank Arena, it turns out local classic rock fans will have another chance to see the Who lead singer, Roger Daltrey, in an even more up-close and personal fashion. Earlier this week, Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp announced the headliner for their 30th anniversary to be held in South Florida from January 29 to February 1, 2026, is none other than Sir Roger Daltrey. While Pete Townshend is nowhere to be found on the announcement, his younger brother, Who’s touring guitarist, Simon Townshend, will also be on hand. Rock’ n’ Roll Fantasy Camp was founded in 1996 to give music fa- natics and groupies the chance to jam and hang out with their musi- cal idols. According to their web- site at rockcamp.com/ roger-daltrey/ campers will have the opportunity of “being placed in a band, rehearsing, and then stepping on stage to perform a Who classic with Roger Daltrey himself.” The weekend will culminate with campers performing at Boca Raton’s the Funky Biscuit with Si- mon Townshend. “Over four unfor- gettable days, you’ll jam, perform, and connect with the biggest names in rock. This milestone celebration will also feature live performances enhanced by a full horn section, adding even more power and ex- citement to the shows.” Packages for adults of all skill levels who want to play “Pinball Wizard” with Daltrey can do so for only $8,999 if you register before November 30. While youngsters from another generation, ages 11-17, who want to shout out “why don’t you all just fade away,” can join the camp for the bargain price of $7,999. Other announced counselors at the rock camp include members of Whitesnake and Vixen. If you can’t make it that weekend or aren’t that big a fan of the Who without Keith Moon, they also offer a Rock ‘n’ Soul Fantasy Camp in South Florida from December 4-7, 2025, featuring members of Grand Funk Railroad, Chicago, and the Rascals. So if you’re bummed out about never seeing the Who play live again, this could be your final chance. Al- though Pete Townshend did say at that Sunrise concert, “for those with deep pockets, we are available for private parties.” [email protected] Daltrey performing at Sunrise’s Amerant Bank Arena last month. Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg/@micheleevephoto
