MTV LatAM 2003 Performers.

MTV Latin America announced that Dido, Control Machete and The Mars Volta join the list of previously announced talent to perform at the “MTV Video Music Awards Latin America 2003”. Also, Catupecu Machu, Diego Torres, Miranda, Robbie Rosa, and Vicentico, among others will participate as presenters in the show. The second annual VMALA event will take place Thursday, October 23, 2003 at the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach and will air live on MTV Latin America and MTV2 in the U.S. at 9:00 p.m. ET (8:00 p.m. Mexico, 10:00 p.m. Chile and Argentina). Following its premiere, the event will air on MTV U.S. on Saturday, November 1st at 8pm PT/ET and will be available to air on MTV’s 44 channels around the world throughout November.

British hit singer songwriter Dido, had amazing success with the international release of her debut album “No Angel”. After the track “Thank You” was sampled by Eminem for the chorus of “Stan”, “No Angel” sold more than three million copies. Since then, Dido has collaborated with other stars like Britney Spears and Carlos Santana and is releasing her second album “Life for Rent” on September 30th.

Formed by Rubén Albarrán (vocals), Joselo Rangel (guitar), Enrique Rangel (bass) and Emanuel Del Real (keyboard), Café Tacuba mixes the sounds of ska, rock, hip-hop, and traditional Mexican music to create their own style. The band is one of Mexico’s hottest acts and has been named one of the “50 Future Latin American Leaders” according to Time Magazine. They just released their latest album “Cuatro Caminos”.

Mexican Latin rap band Control Machete burst onto the local rock scene with its debut album “Mucho Barato” in 1997. The album sold more than 100,000 copies in Mexico alone. Led by Pato and Toy the band returned in March of 1999 with “Artillería Pesada” and in 2002 they released “Sólo para fanáticos”. Control Machete will release their latest production “Uno, Dos: Bandera” in October.

The Mars Volta is currently one of music critics’ and musicians’ favorite bands. Formed by Cedric Bixler and Omar Rodriguez, the band has just launched its debut album “De-Loused in the Comatorium”, which had Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassist Flea and guitarist John Frusciante as guest musicians. Regarding his participation on the album Flea has written in his online diary that The Mars Volta are the best band we have ever played with without a doubt, they are scintillating. They are stunning, they blow me away. The songs are so beautiful, the feeling so fresh and new and what I crave to hear.”

These artists join a lineup of previously announced performers, including singer songwriter Alejandro Sanz whose recently released production “No es lo mismo” has been among Billboard magazine’s Top 5 Latin albums in the past weeks; Canadian punk band Sum 41 who just won the “Group of the Year” award at Canada’s Juno Awards; Chilean band La Ley whose “Libertad” is favorite among Latin Americans; 19 year-old Mexican singer songwriter Natalia Lafourcade who leads the ’03 VMALA nominations being postulated in five categories and who was also nominated for four Latin Grammys, and punk legend Iggy Pop.

Announced presenters include Argentine band Catupecu Machu, Diego Torres, Argentine sensation Miranda, Robbie Rosa, and ex-Fabulosos Cadillacs Vicentico, with more to be announced shortly.

Mexicans Café Tacuba, Natalia Lafourcade and Molotov, as well as Chilean band La Ley, top this year’s nominations with five each, followed by Argentine Gustavo Cerati, Colombian Juanes, and Mexican band Maná with four and Vicentico with three nominations.

Charlie Singer, SVP of Programming and Production, MTV Networks Latin America will executive produce. Audrey Morrissey (a veteran of many MTV productions and award shows, and producer of “Alejandro Sanz MTV Unplugged,” “La Ley MTV Unplugged” and last year’s VMALAs) will serve as producer; Manny Rodriguez (“Alejandro Sanz MTV Unplugged,” “La Ley MTV Unplugged”) will direct and José Tillán, VP of Music and Artist Relations, MTV Networks Latin America will supervise the musical content of the show.