Making Movies is the Latin Grammy–nominated group led by Enrique Chi — born in Santiago, Panamá, and raised in the American Midwest — forging a sound guided by tradition, yet unmistakably its own.
The band has been described by Rolling Stone as “an eclectic blend of rumbero percussion, delicate organs, and grungy fuzz,” while NPR calls the project “perhaps one of the most unique groups around today.”
Their sound is anchored in the rich rhythmic traditions of Panamá and delivered with the force of a psychedelic rock show. Chi weaves the mejorana, a traditional hand-made instrument rarely heard outside of Panamá, into each performance.
Making Movies’ is collaborative across genres, working with artists from Rubén Blades to Kevin Morby, and David Hidalgo (Los Lobos) to Hurray for the Riff Raff. Most notably, Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) has served as a guiding force for the band — functioning as a spiritual band member, producer, and mentor.
New album Una Vida out Fall 2026.
This concert features an opening performance from Opus & the Frequencies. Known for their energetic live shows, Opus & The Frequencies have earned a reputation as a must-see Columbia act. This reputation has seen them playing small clubs and bars in support of local or touring regional acts, as well as gracing bigger stages like the St. Pats Festival in Five Points, Columbia Food and Wine Festival’s Concert On The Runway, Solfest Rollfest, and USC legacy events (Tiger Burn, First Night Carolina) in support of bands like Hippo Campus, Illiterate Light, The Blue Dogs, Flipturn, lighthearted and Brook and The Bluff to name a few.
The Frequencies harness an eclectic blend of influences—funk, indie rock, Latin grooves, and pop sensibilities—converging into a distinctive sound. This sonic alchemy flourishes whether they take the stage as a four-piece or an expansive ten-piece ensemble.
