Spotlighting Latin artists at III Points music festival

Miami’s most diverse music lineup, III Points, proved this year why they are still the best music festival for music lovers of all genres. The festival isn’t just a rave or a concert, it’s a straight-up blend of sounds, people, and energy that represents the Miami community welcoming outsiders who fly in to experience the festival. There are ten stages, so it can get hard to choose which act is worth watching, or running to. Whether one is into electronic, rock, Latin, or anything in between, there’s something for everyone, and this year, I made it my mission to catch as many Latin and Black artists as I could.

Friday started strong with 10x Latin Grammy-nominated duo Ca7riel y Paco Amoroso, who brought their viral Tiny Desk energy straight to Miami. They’re a fun duo with contagious energy that cannot be compared to any other artist. One moment you’re singing along to the lyrics, the next you’re jumping, and suddenly Ca7riel’s twerking while Paco’s marching across the stage. Their set included hits like “Dumbai,” “Mi Deseo,” “Sheesh,” and of course “#TETAS”. The duo are performers with no playback. It was a dream to finally see them, and well worth the wait.

At the Sector 3 stage was Villano Antillano, who turned her set into a statement. Dressed in a prisoner suit, she opened with a powerful message: “I decided to show up here today dressed as a prisoner because every time I step foot in this country, that’s exactly what I feel. A prisoner of misunderstanding, a prisoner of discrimination, a prisoner of fear, at times, because most times, I don’t let fear get to me, I f** that b** up; we are gonna have a lot of fun tonight.” Representing Puerto Rico’s trans and queer community, she also reminded everyone that her music is part of a global movement, whether people like it or not. Antillano performed one of her hits, “Ride or Die,” alongside her rap-heavy singles. 

The nostalgia hit hard when Sean Paul took the stage, being the only dancehall act at the festival. Hearing “Temperature” and “We Be Burnin’” live was such a huge throwback to my elementary school days, and the whole crowd sang at the top of their lungs. He also performed his newer collaborations, such as the “Ba Ba Bad” song by Kybba, in which he brought out influencer Isabela Ladera to come dance with him on stage. Another highlight was that Sean Paul performed his notable collaborations, including “No Lie” with Dua Lipa, the “Bailando” English Remix with Enrique Iglesias, December Bueno, and Gente de Zona, adding Latin flavour. His backup dancers were on another level too, a highlight of his performance with great choreography and energy. 

At the Grand Central stage, Chuwi represented Puerto Rico proudly. If the name sounds familiar, they were featured in Bad Bunny’s “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana” on “WELTiTa”. The crowd waved flags, sang every line, and celebrated how far Puerto Rican music has come. With their own Tiny Desk performance now live, Chuwi is proof that the island keeps producing stars.

Later that night, I found myself at the Halo 88 stage for a B2B with Miami DJs Pressure Point and Mr. Bitch, part of a lineup curated by Pressure Point himself. It was a mix of Miami bass, trap, and a blend of genres. From the song “Knuck If You Buck” to songs by Tre Oh Fie, it felt like a love letter to Miami’s underground scene. Pressure Point celebrated his birthday during the set, and Halo 88 was a whole sonic journey that repped local sounds.

Day two began with Miami’s MOLD!, which brought punk and political energy, blending psych rock with Latin sounds while advocating for immigrant rights. Later in the evening came Turnstile, a standout surprise for me; their hardcore punk sound is electric live. A highlight of this band was when they came down to the barricade and greeted all their fans in the front row. Shaking their hands, hugging them, and thanking everyone for coming. That had been the most genuine thing I’ve ever seen an artist do.

Another standout moment from III Points was the first-ever orchestra on festival grounds. Mita Gami and Meir Briskman made their Miami debut, combining classical and electronic music together. They brought their entire orchestra, and the crowd was in awe of the violins and the live performance. This did not disappoint.

Other DJ sets I enjoyed on Saturday were Black Coffee’s set, which was out of this world. When he dropped a remix of Bad Bunny’s “NuevaYol” with his signature Afro-house touch, the crowd sang along and cheered. At the Suero area was DJ and producer Tayhana showcasing her Latin roots through Latin house and blending cumbia rhythms and more.

III Points really turns up for Miami and gives all music genres a stage to showcase their talent. Yes, you can rave, but then you can also enjoy a good rock band or even a Latin stage and other music to choose from. It’s a multi-genre festival that gives a space for every music fan.