Mojo Booking and its new producer Ecos announce the first edition of the Canción Nacional festival, set for April 25 at Parque Estadio Nacional. The event will feature Illapu, Inti-Illimani Histórico, Quilapayún, and Congreso, inspired by the U.S. Desert Trip. Organizers aim to draw 30,000 attendees in a four-hour format with 45-50 minute sets per band.
Following Lucybell's farewell in October, Mojo Booking moved forward with a long-considered idea: launching a festival dedicated to Chilean music. Juan Ignacio “Fucho” Cornejo, founding partner, explains that the void left by the band motivated them to explore new formats. “We had been working with them for many years; everything we did with Lucybell in the last 10 years is a source of pride,” says Cornejo.
The Canción Nacional festival will debut as the producer's largest solo event, after co-producing shows like Los Tres' Revuelta and Lucybell's tour. The name emerged accidentally, evoking the visibility of the National Song, and aims to establish itself as an annual milestone with varied thematic axes, from rock to hip hop.
The initial curation brings together iconic bands from the first generation that still fill venues: Illapu, Inti-Illimani Histórico, Quilapayún, and Congreso. Congreso joined first, followed by Illapu in under 24 hours, and then Inti-Illimani Histórico and Quilapayún through Macondo Konzerte. “Illapu, Inti Histórico, Quila, Congreso—they still tour and fill anywhere,” highlights Cornejo, stressing the urgency to unite them before it's too late.
Inspired by Desert Trip, the format prioritizes audience comfort and artist respect, with 45- or 50-minute performances each. Parque Estadio Nacional was selected for its capacity, avoiding the Coliseum to not limit future editions. The date was confirmed in the second half of November, triggering negotiations.
Mojo Booking relies on its experience with local artists like Los Tres, Javiera Mena, and Camila Moreno, distinguishing Chilean show promotion from international ones. “The Chilean artist has to tell a complete story of why people should go,” notes Cornejo. Tickets go on sale next week, with optimism to exceed 30,000 attendees.