Whether it drops a smooth dance beat or carries a hard rock and roll rhythm, Santiaguinos love their music. The growing number of international concerts and music festivals held in Chile can attest to this national obsession. While local sensations such as Dënver and Ana Tijoux get as much attention here as anywhere, avid jammers jump at any chance to rock out to international big-name bands of today and the last 3 or 4 decades.

The Maquinaria Festival has become a standard for music lovers in Santiago, featuring all kinds of rock from grunge, metal and punk to classics such as the Pixies in past years. This year´s Maquinaria kicks off the summer rock season on November 11 and will host The Prodigy, Deftones, Gogol Bordello, Calle 13, and Chile´s own Los Tres and Pánico. Later on in the month, on November 24, the indie-friendly Primavera Fauna puts on its second annual festival with a lineup including Pulp, The Walkmen, Dinosaur Jr, José González and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!

And of course April 2013 will see the third year of Lollapalooza Chile. The Black Keys, Pearl Jam and Franz Ferdinand are just a few of the powerhouse bands that will grace the stage of this two-day festival. Warm weather, pisco sours and your favorite bands: what better reasons to visit Santiago?