SIGN UP FOR OUR 
This year’s Festival Imperial is heavier on the estrogen than in previous years, and that’s a very good thing. While we wait for the lucky reader who will take home two free weekend tickets to the festival, here’s a look at some of the female artists who will grace the stages at La Guacima speedway in Alajuela on Saturday, March 24th and Sunday, March 25th.
The Great Wilderness – Costa Rica
Fresh off their tour at the legendary South by Southwest (SXSW) music and technology festival in Austin, Texas, the dreamy Ticas manning the guitars, drums and microphones of The Great Wilderness produce an ethereal sound that’s as captivating as they look.
The Great Wilderness has already toured in Europe, and they are returning to Costa Rica to please fans at the Festival Imperial with singles like Dark Horse (Parts 1 and 2) and Nicholas Cage. Their sound can be described as influenced by Sonic Youth by way of Joy Division.
Bjork – Finland
The former lead singer of the Sugarcubes is one of the most recognized voices in alternative rock and pop these days. In terms of star-power, she’s probably the biggest name to perform at the Festival Imperial. Bjork‘s long musical career spans three decades, and she has always been known as a musician who does not fear innovation.
For her popular song Hollow, from the 2011 Biophilia album, Bjork chose a video that represented her most primal essence. Director Drew Berry explained to NPR that the video for Hollow is an “exploration of the microscopic and and molecular landscapes inside Björk’s body. The animation was constructed from molecular models of DNA and proteins…”
Ximena Sarinana – Mexico
Another performer who was at the SXSW festival in Austin, Ximena Sarinana is a former teen soap opera star who found initial success in songwriting in performing in her native Spanish. Her first foray into the crowded field of English pop music has been very well received by music fans who like their songs clear, airy, light, breezy, sugary, and infectious.
Named as not-to-miss artist at the SXSW by the Huffington Post, Ximena has already had a huge hit in Costa Rica. “Different” is a song that station 104.7 HIT began playing last year, and essentially hasn’t stopped since.
Bomba Stereo – Colombia
While there will be a number of big-name DJs spinning dance music to the Ticos in attendance at the Festival Imperial, the female-fronted Bomba Stereo will probably put more people to dance than any other act. Bomba Stereo was a favorite of the audience attending the SXSW, and they are sure to be a big hit at the Festival Imperial with their own brand of psychedelic cumbia.
La Mala Rodriguez – Spain
The alluring rapper Mala Rodriguez captivated the audience of the Salon Jose Cuervo in Mexico, DF just a week ago, and she is ready to captivate Tico audiences with her unique Flamenco-tinged rap and sensuality. Mala Rodriguez is probably the biggest name and the sharpest tongue in the world of Spanish-language hip-hop today.
Mala Rodriguez has grown from a teenager who used to paint graffiti on the trains of her native Cadiz province into a beautiful woman who has captured the attention of hip-hop producers like Focus (of Eminem fame). At the Festival Imperial, the lucky Ticos in attendance will get to hear new songs from her new album, Dirty Ballerina, which is a cyberpunk fantasy inspired by the film Blade Runner.
