Yerba Colorá is an internationally composed alterlatino (alternative Latin) band founded in 2016 in Marburg.

Like a melting pot of sound, Yerba Colorá combines Latin American rhythms (Cumbia, Son) with elements of Psychedelic Rock, Ska, and Reggae. The unique originality of the music is shaped by captivating melodies, exciting guitar solos, and a powerful rhythm section, described by Christian Carlisle (BBC Introducing) as “an intoxicating, heady mix.” This diversity is also reflected in the Spanish lyrics of frontwoman and band founder Naomi Keates, which address both the everyday challenges of life and socially critical aspects.

In 2020, the first EP “¡Eh! P.” was released, and the almost simultaneous outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic provided several opportunities to produce new song material. This effort bore fruit, as Yerba Colorá was soon nominated as a prize-winning finalist in the “Latin” category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. The second EP was released in 2021, followed by the album “Renacimiento” in July 2023, which was praised by BBC Introducing as well as international online magazines like Rhythm Passport (UK) and Zona Emergente (Mexico).

In 2023, the band had several successful performances, including a tour of England with concerts in Nottingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and Salford, as well as a headlining slot at the Gießen City Festival. In June 2024, Yerba Colorá won first place in the band competition to play at the prestigious AKF Festival in Wassertrüdingen.

In August 2024, the band opened for Mexican legends Panteón Rococó in Marburg.

The six-member group consists of Naomi Keates (vocals/guitar), Paul Hilger (lead guitar), Phil Bicking (bass), Wiley Sil (drums), Moisés Reyna Crespo (percussion), and Florian Pfeiffer (keyboard).