Metal Bands From Cuba Perform at SXSW

There are 2,000-plus bands playing at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.

Most are American.

Part of the reason for that is getting a foreign band to perform in the US is a headache.

Just ask any rock promoter or manager.

There are visas to apply for, legal documents to sign, and lots of unpredictable paperwork.

Now imagine the challenges if the band is from Cuba.

And yet, there are a number of Cuban heavy metal rock bands at the festival this year.

They’re putting on what’s probably the first ever Cuban heavy metal rock show in the US.

Alicia Zertuche is a festival coordinator at South by Southwest.

She’s the one who helps the bands get their visas.