The short version
- Metro Puerto Rico reported that El Laberinto del Coco will debut bomba in Oceania at WOMADelaide from March 5-8 2027 and WOMAD Aotearoa from March 12-14 2027
- Leader Héctor Barez, known as Coco and former Calle 13 percussionist, told EFE the band aims to share its roots and foster cultural exchange
- The group previously introduced bomba on Tiny Desk in 2024 and released its first album in 2017 featuring tracks such as 'Llegale', 'El Dilema' and 'Plere María'
- Coco highlighted the current resurgence of bomba in Puerto Rico with new schools, workshops and artists preserving the tradition
First Performances in Oceania
El Laberinto del Coco announced on Friday that it will take the Puerto Rican bomba genre to Australia and New Zealand for the first time. The band will appear at two WOMAD festivals in March 2027, presenting a fusion of traditional bomba with contemporary rhythms including jazz, rock and hip hop. Metro Puerto Rico reported
Héctor Barez, known as Coco and leader of the 14-member ensemble, said the group is arriving "with much excitement and open arms" to welcome audiences in both countries to its musical universe. Coco, who collaborated on Rainao's latest album 'Marcriá' and was a percussionist for Calle 13, emphasized the collective energy that defines the band's innovative sound. Both Metro Puerto Rico and HolaNews carried the EFE dispatch.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Llegamos con mucha ilusión y con los brazos abiertos, listos para darle la bienvenida a toda la gente de Australia y Nueva Zelanda al universo de El Laberinto del Coco.
Our translation: We arrive with much excitement and with open arms, ready to welcome all the people of Australia and New Zealand to the universe of El Laberinto del Coco.
The source's own statement, as quoted by EFE. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Bomba's Resurgence and Legacy
Coco told EFE that bomba is experiencing one of its most important moments, pointing to schools, workshops and new groups in Puerto Rico that are keeping the practice alive across generations. The genre originated among enslaved Africans as a syncretism of Taíno, Spanish and African cultures and features more than 21 rhythms, the best known being sicá, seis corrido, holandé, cuembé and yubá. HolaNews reported
The band follows in the footsteps of other Puerto Rican bomba preservationists including La Bomba Va, Bomba Evolución, Junte Loiceño, Belele, Afrikataal and Son del Batey. Coco described bomba as a music with particular force, energy and magnetism that connects people regardless of language or origin through the dialogue between drum, dance and song. The group released its debut album in 2017 with 13 tracks.
Where the sources differ
Metro Puerto Rico and HolaNews published nearly identical versions of the same EFE dispatch on November 13, 2026. Both sources agree on all key facts including the festival dates, Coco's background, the band's history with Tiny Desk, the description of bomba and the quoted statements. There are no substantive differences between the two reports.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not specify the exact venues within the festivals, ticket availability for international audiences, whether the band will perform additional dates in Oceania, or details of the specific set list or collaborations planned for the 2027 appearances. No information is given on funding or logistical support for the tour.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting El Laberinto del Coco llevará la bomba puertorriqueña por primera vez a Australia y Nueva Zelanda
- Reporting La banda El Laberinto del Coco llevará por primera vez la bomba puertorriqueña a Oceanía
How we checked this
Both Metro Puerto Rico and HolaNews reported the announcement based on statements by Héctor Barez (Coco) to EFE. All details about the festivals, the band's history and the cultural significance of bomba rest on the information provided by the group itself through the news agency.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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