Vibestrong

Albuquerque Summerfest Headliners Announced
Free, family friendly concerts feature a variety of national and local entertainers.
May 9, 2023 - The Department of Arts & Culture's Albuquerque Summerfest concert series will bring a variety of national touring groups and diverse local performers to different areas of the city this summer. The excitement kicks off with Heights Summerfest on Saturday, June 10 at North Domingo Baca Park with New Orleans quintet, Galactic featuring Angelika Jelly Joseph.

Beginning at 5 p.m., concert goers can enjoy the local music of St. Levi and the Family Tree, Vibestrong, and The Big Spank ahead of Galactic taking the stage at 8:30 p.m.

Route 66 Summerfest in Nob Hill on Saturday, July 22 from 5 to 10 p.m. will feature QUITAPENAS, a tropical Afro-Latin combo from California known to borrow their aesthetics from the radical 60s, 70s, and 80s. In addition, there will be eight other bands on three stages playing everything from bluegrass to garage pop throughout the day.

From 5 to 10 p.m., Westside Summerfest on Saturday, August 5 at Ventana Ranch Community Park will be dedicated to promoting local talent and will feature Albuquerque bands on two stages. Bands include Big K & Blue Train; Burque Jazz Bandits; Chris Dracup; Nathaniel Krantz Music; Revíva; Side Montero; Silver Sky Blues Band; and Str8 Shot.

Albuquerque Summerfest will also feature local businesses with handcrafted products, food trucks, free activities for children, and a Cantina (with the exception of Route 66 Summerfest) with libations created by breweries, wineries, and distilleries.

Albuquerque Summerfest is free and open to the public. More details on each specific event can be found at www.cultureabq.com. Albuquerque Summerfest is sponsored by iHeart Radio.

Filed under:
special events - City of Albuquerque

Taking their sound to new heights, Vibestrong is a four-piece reggae rock band from Albuquerque. The group has been together for 1.5 years and has already been nominated for the New Mexico Music Awards and the New Mexico Entertainment Awards.

Vibestrong released their full album, “These Mountains,” in 2023, and the band is working on their second album now. Vibestrong will be having a release party for their first single out of California and their first single of 2024, “Kings Medley,” on Friday, Jan. 19, at the Launchpad.

Vibestrong gave a preview performance of “Kings Medley” live on New Mexico Living. The full performance is in the video at the top of this page. To check out all of Vibestrong’s music and stay up to date with the group’s performance schedule, click here. - krqe.com/new-mexico-living

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Cuidando Los Niños is a local non-profit that is raising awareness for child homelessness in the community. Their services include providing supportive housing, family case management, workforce development, early childhood education, and more.

On Saturday, August 5, local talent will be taking the stage to help raise funds for Cuidando Los Niños’ work. The 5th Annual Burque Niños Block Party, featuring a handful of musical groups, will take place on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at FUSION (708 First Street) in northwest Albuquerque.

United Way of North Central New Mexico hosts benefit concert featuring Los Lobos
The event is open to all ages, and tickets cost $20 for adults and $10 for kids ages 12 and under. Tickets purchased for the event will go directly toward supporting the programs and services put on by the non-profit; tickets can be purchased at this link.

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Music Lineup

Red Light Cameras
The Mango Cakes
Def-i
Side Montero
Thursday Marks Fall
Willajay
Vibestrong
Cuidando Los Niños will also be taking donations online for those unable to attend the event who still want to donate. To learn more about the non-profit and the work they do in the community, click here. - KRQE.com

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Looking for summer break plans? Old Town will be hosting its Summer Music in Old Town events.

Every weekend in June and July, there will be great food, unique local shops, and live music at the gazebo.

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The event will take place on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Sundays, it will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Organizer said this event is a perfect way to spend time with family and friends.

May

Sunday, May 6– 11 a.m.-3 p.m.– Lemonade Day Albuquerque
Sunday, May 14– 1-5 p.m.– Mother’s Day in Old Town
1-2:30 p.m. – Levi Dean and the Mesa Rats – Americana/Folk
2:45 – 3:15 p.m. – Fiesta Mexicana – Folklorico Dancing
3:30 – 5 p.m. – Son Como Son – Cuban Salsa
Saturday, May 20 – 6-8 p.m. – Santacruzan Celebration
Presented by the Filipino American Foundation of New Mexico
June

June 2-4: San Felipe de Neri Church Fiestas
Friday, June 2 – 6-10 p.m.
Saturday, June 3 – 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sunday, June 4 – 12-7 p.m.
Friday, June 9 – 7-9 p.m. – Chris Dracup: Funk of the West – American Blues/Funk
Saturday, June 10 – 7-9 p.m. – JD Nash and the Rash of Cash – Alternative Country
Sunday, June 11 – 1-3 p.m. Watermelon Mountain Jug Band –Bluegrass
Friday, June 16 – 7-9 p.m. – Slim and the Blue Tones – Swinging Blues
Saturday, June 17 – 7-9 p.m. – Tracey Whitney –Jazz/Classic Soul
Sunday, June 18 – 1-3 p.m. – Terra Trio – Latin Jazz
Friday, June 23 – 7-9 p.m. – 44th Army Band (New Mexico’s Own) – Mariachi/Big Band
Saturday, June 24 –7-9 p.m. – The Porter Draw – Bluegrass
Sunday, June 25 – 1-3 p.m. – Scotty & The Atomics – Rockabilly
Friday, June 30 – 7-9 p.m. – Austin Van – Country
July

Saturday, July 1 – 7-9 p.m. – Felix Y Los Gatos– New Mexican/ Spanish
Sunday, July 2 – 1-3 p.m. – Alex Maryol – Blues/ Funk
Friday, July 7 – 7-9 p.m. – Vibestrong – Reggae
Saturday, July 8 – 7-9 p.m. – Picoso – New Mexican/ Spanish
Sunday, July 9 – 1-3 p.m. – Cowboy Way – Country
Friday, July 14 – 7-9 p.m. – Kyle Martin – Country/Rock
Saturday, July 15 – 7-9 p.m. – Tropicalia – Latin Rhythms
Sunday, July 16 – 1-3 p.m. – Bobcats – Jazz
Friday, July 21 – 7-9 p.m. – Divino – New Mexican/ Spanish
Saturday, July 22 – 7-9 p.m. – Nathaniel Krantz – Country
Sunday, July 23 – 1-3 p.m. – Last Call – Jazz
Friday, July 28 – 7-9 p.m. – Sol De La Noche – Latin
Saturday, July 29 – 7-9 p.m. – Calle 66 – Salsa
Sunday, July 30 – 1-3 p.m. – Mustang Sally & the Corvettes – Blues - KRQE.com

Published March 21st, 2025 at 1:18 pm

Albuquerque Reggae-rock band Vibestrong has been hitting the stage and the studio pretty hard during the three years they’ve been active. Last night at midnight they released their newest single “Rise” on all major streaming platforms, and they’d love you to help them celebrate at the Launchpad (618 Central Ave. SW) tonight starting at 7 p.m. during their single release party. Singer and keyboard player Rick Gonzales says he’s been writing music for a long time and he’s excited about the rapid growth Vibestrong has enjoyed over the last year or so. He says people seem to connect with the band’s positive message these days, which is refreshing because we could all use some positivity in our lives right about now.

“It’s really conscious music,” Gonzales says. “We sing about uplifting yourself and one another. The guys in the band were kind of making fun of me about this last album. They said, ‘Oh, we can’t do too many songs that are about rising and lifting,’ but hey man, that’s just the vibe that’s been going lately.”

Gonzales says he comes up with a general premise for the music and lyrics, but along with bandmates Anthony Gallegos (bass), Glenn “Buddah” Benavidez (guitar) and James Sanchez (drums) Vibestrong writes their songs together. Each member adds their personal flair to the music. You can’t avoid catching a strong positive vibe from Gonzales while talking reggae with him, and he’s more than willing to share the band’s lyrics. He says drummer James Sanchez — you might also know him by Jimmy Djembe — is a talented rapper who can sing and play drums simultaneously during live performances. Sanchez drops a hard-hitting verse on “Rise” that explains the song and the band’s philosophy perfectly:

“Filling my cup up to the brim until it overflows and we can all swim,” Sanchez sings.

Hometown favorites Burque Sol will kick off the Launchpad show in proper Albuquerque reggae-rock fashion followed by touring act Dozy Dubs from Idaho. Sanchez says the night will be a dance party as well, with DJ Primo Swift holding it down between sets. Vibestrong plans to do some touring this summer, including a huge show in May as part of the Rising Vibes Music Festival in Durango.

“Rise” was recorded at 17th Street Recordings by producer Lewis Richards and features background vocals from special guests Dread Kennedy and Roxy Ortiz. The single is available on all streaming platforms so take your pick here. - The Paper.