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By Michael Lopez

Ah Chicago peeps…how we envy you right now. Starting today (August 6), you get to experience Grant Park's massive Lollapalooza concert, featuring an awesome musical mix of both mainstream talent and hot up-and-comers.

For those who love the mass appeal artists, names like Lady Gaga, Green Day, and a reunited Soundgarden are not going to disappoint. But keep in mind, with over 100 bands, solo acts, and DJs set to perform, there’s a lot more to the 3-day concert than that!

Lady Gaga (file photo)

Buried among the indie Danish rockers, French acoustic bands, and Canadian hip-hop stars, there are a slew of talented Latinos you should definitely keep your ears on. Here are a few that we’re extra excited about:

Cypress Hill
How could you not love the OG hip-hop unit Cypress Hill? They’ve been pumping out jams for over 20 years and have sold over 18 million albums worldwide. Plus, no matter how many decades go by, a live version of “Insane In The Brain” never gets old!

The Strokes
Another of the more mainstream bands performing, these guys broke the mold for indie rock back in the early 2000’s. Though not a full-blown Latino band, we’ve got mad love for Brazilian-born Fabrizio Moretti and the way he wails on those cymbals!

Los Amigos Invisibles
Straight from Venezuela, this six-piece ensemble delivers a smashing mix of disco, acid jazz, and funk! They’ve been putting out albums since the mid-‘90s which have led to massive critical acclaim, a Latin Grammy, and tours to virtually everywhere on the planet!

Mexican Institute Of Sound
One of the cool things about Lollapalooza is that there’s an entire stage devoted strictly to top notch DJs. Created by Mexico City-based producer Camilo Lara, MIS delivers bumpin electro-beats fused with folk, cumbia, and even accordion sounds!

Lollapalooza kicked off today (August 6) at 11a.m. at Grant Park and doesn't stop 'til 10p.m. Sunday with Soundgarden on the South Stage!

Make sure to check out MTV News' Lollapalooza Live, streaming Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5 p.m.!

And follow all of Lollapalooza on the MTV Newsroom blog.

Will you be able to make it to this year’s Lollapalooza? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Concert, Cypress Hill, Lady Gaga, Lollapalooza, Los Amigos Invisibles, Música, MTV NEws, Tr3s

By Simone Hilliard

True to their name, we haven't seen or heard from Los Amigos Invisibles since this time last year when the alternative Venezuelan band released their eighth studio album Commercial and performed at 2009's Latin Alternative Music Conference.

However, this funky, acid jazz-influenced fusion banda is back with, you guessed it, another New York showcase when they co-headline New York's Central Park Summer Stage this Saturday (July 31). That's not the only thing they have going on this weekend; the band will also shoot their music video for “Vivire Para Ti,” along with co-star Mexican rocker Natalia Lafourcade.

So, where have they been? The self described "Jamiroquai meets Santana" banda have been hitting the European festival circuit performing at the likes of Brussels' Couleur Cafe and Spain's Pirineo South Festival. The band also touched down at Tennessee's Bonnaroo festivities in June.

More importantly, what's next for the dance making music mavens? Before their NY show, el grupo will hit Philly this Thursday (July 29) and will venture to Chicago to play Lollapalooza alongside Lady Gaga, Arcade Fire, MGMT, and the Strokes next month.

Los Amigos are also currently working on re-releasing their Grammy award winning album Commercial with seven brand new tracks.

Looks like we'll be seeing much more of our disco friendly Amigos in the near future!

Are you attending any Los Amigos U.S. dates? Let us know below or @MTV3.

Tags artists, Band, latin, Los Amigos Invisibles, Música, MTV NEws, Tr3s

In honor of the recent Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC), we're going "Alternative" esta semana, by offering you two free downloads by legendary South American alternative rock grupos, Los Amigos Invisibles y Aterciopelados!

Both grupos recently played at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NY, as part of the LAMC festitividades.  If you missed the show, we're bringing you a small taste of it ahora.  Los Amigos Invisibles de Venezuela are a funky, acid jazz-influenced fusion banda who describe their own sonido as "Jamiroquai meets Santana."  Their nuevo album, "Commercial," is a unique blend of música bailable with traditional Latin music sounds and disco thrown in.  Groovy!  Download "Mentiras" by Los Amigos Invisibles gratis on the MTV Tr3s Downloads page ahora!

As for Aterciopelados, you might remember them from their punkier "Bolero Falaz" and "Florecita Rockera" days, pero Andrea Echeverri y compañía are all grown up now!  Their nuevo album, "Río," is a socially-conscious effort by el grupo alternativo Colombiano, that continues to blend multi-cultural sounds with puro rock.  Get a free download of their nueva canción, "Hijos De Tigre," on MTV Tr3s now!

Stay tuned for more free latin music downloads from MTV Tr3s!

Photo of Los Amigos Invisibles via Fran Beaufrand

Tags 2009, Aterciopelados, Free Download, Free Latin Music, LAMC, Los Amigos Invisibles, MTV Tr3s Downloads, Musica Latina