50 years ago on the 22nd of February, brothers Francisco and Oscar Carrasco, left Chile with their family. They came to the UK as 11 & 14 yrs old exiles from a brutal dictatorship. Since then, they have travelled the world with their music and their stories, performing in many iconic festivals and venues including the Barbican, South Africa House, Kwazulu Natal Playhouse in Durban, South Africa, the Santos Populares Festival in Lisbon, Portugal, Fête de la Musique, France, The Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, La Line Festival in London, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Centre and many more.

In 1984 Francisco co-founded INCA, a Chilean band playing Chilean protest songs, music from the Andean region and Latin America; the group performed in events and festivals throughout the UK until it disbanded in 1987. In 1988 Francisco & Oscar led the iconic Liverpool band, Tiempo Libre - it was known as the musicians band with members such as the late Iain Templeton (drummer to Shack, the LA’s and many more) as well as the legendary Ronnie Williams instrumental in developing the unique sound of Tiempo Libre - earning the quote in NME of, “The band to Free your Mind and Move your Behind”. They performed at well known events such as the Birthday celebration of Malcom X at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and Channel 4’s Welcome show as well as Bradford Festival, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Centre in Glasgow, The Merseyside international Caribbean Carnival and the legendary Earthbeat Festival and many festivals and events across the UK.

Francisco & Oscar have continued performing throughout their lives with amazing highlights that include the launch of the South African music project, Ngoma 1995; at South Africa House and then for President Mandela (The presidents conference) in Durban, South Africa - there they have performed with the Royal Philharmonic Hall and many amazing artists including the late Bheki Mseleku and Busi Mhlongo as well as greats such as Madala Kunene, Eugene Skeef and Thebe Lipere.

 The brothers have performed in an array of festivals and concerts in the UK, Europe and Africa including Durban Carnival, live on SABC (South African National Radio), El Sueño Existe, La Linea (London Latin Music Festival), Bradford Festival, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, and many more. They have been featured on Channel 4, BBC1, BBC Radio 4, BBC 6 Music, Music Life (BBC World Service) and many others.

Some short reviews :

“Grupo Luma plays songs by Victor Jara, Violeta Para, Atahualpa Yupanqui and Ruben Blades, as well as original compositions, a great celebration of Chilean Culture at the La Linea Festival.” 

Cerys Matthews - BBC 6 Music

“Grupo Luma celebrates the Popular Unity era by performing some of the most iconic songs associated with Latin America’s Nueva Canción. A feast of melodies, rhythms and powerful, thought-provoking lyrics that pay
tribute to Chile and South America’s political song and the spirit of progressive change of which they form part.” 

La Linea Festival, London

"Grupo Luma's performance put people in touch with the heartbeat of Latin America through their powerful and lively renditions of folk songs. A brilliant beginning to the Victor Jara Festival.” 

Tony Corden, Festival Director - El Sueño Existe Festival.

“Grupo Luma, led by Chilean brothers Francisco and Oscar Carrasco present a journey through Chilean & South American political song with a feast of melodies, rhythms and powerful, thought-provoking lyrics that pay
tribute to Chile and South America’s political song and the spirit of progressive change.” 

Migration Matters Festival