Empire Music Festival 2024: A Cultural Fusion of Latin and Electronic Music
Empire Music Festival (EMF) 2024, held in Guatemala, stands as a beacon in Central America’s music scene. This leading festival seamlessly blends Latin music with electronic beats, all while honoring the rich Mayan heritage of the region. The event’s look and feel are steeped in archetypical Mayan symbology, creating a unique and contemporary festival atmosphere. At 360 Show Design, we have a longstanding relationship with Latin America and a deep respect for its culture, making us immensely proud when the EMF team invited us to contribute our stage and show design expertise. The project challenged us to create something culturally relevant for the local audience while maintaining the grandeur of a world-class festival.
The ‘Sol Stage’ and the ‘Luna Stage’ were the standout features of the festival. The Sol Stage, with its centerpiece based on the ‘cruz andina’—also known as the Southern Cross in Mayan astrology—was a visual marvel. The pattern of the cross was repeated and surrounded by a sun crown, setting the stage for acts like Yandel, Fuerza Regida, Latin Mafia, and Tokischa. This stage design not only paid homage to Mayan symbolism but also provided a vibrant and powerful backdrop for the performers, enhancing the audience’s experience.
The ‘Luna Stage’ took inspiration from the previous year’s theme of a Mayan flower, evolving it into a sacred Ceiba tree. The design enveloped the roots with wings and the canopy with a bow adorned with Mayan astrological symbols, symbolizing the connection between heaven and earth. This intricate design guided the audience into a state of trance, providing an otherworldly experience that resonated deeply with the festival-goers. The Luna Stage stood as a testament to the fusion of cultural heritage and modern festival aesthetics.
To conclude the event on a high note, the EMF team invited our elite show operators from ‘Grand Finale’ to craft an epic and emotional closing ceremony. The festival ended with ‘Alex Serra’s Luna,’ a performance that brought tears to many eyes. This song captured the essence of the stage design and the emotion of the closing moment, staying true to the theme and roots of the event. It was a beautiful culmination of the festival’s journey, leaving a lasting impact on everyone present.
Empire Music Festival 2024 was a remarkable project for us at 360 Show Design. It showcased our ability to blend cultural relevance with modern festival design, creating a unique and memorable experience for the audience. We look forward to more opportunities to bring our passion for design and local culture to life in future events.
