The enigmatic Puerto Rican superstar transcended music in a historic two-hour performance that stretched from Friday night into Saturday morning as the first Latino solo artist headliner in the history of the Coachella Valley Arts and Music Festival.
By the concert’s end at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Bad Bunny had brought out four special guests — Post Malone, Jhayco plus Ñengo Flow and Jowell & Randy for “Safaera.” He played music from three albums, changed outfits once, engaged with fans in the front row and overcame technical difficulties when Post Malone’s mic unexpectedly cut out. He sang from a suspended stage, the main stage, the catwalk — even atop an onstage SUV and a jet ski.
In classic Bad Bunny fashion, he led the audience through a gamut of emotions, dances, ballads about heartbreak and tales of bouncing back from lost love. All the while, he made the show personal. With set designs, outfits and song choices centered around his upbringing in Puerto Rico, the concert frequently alluded to his journey from an economically modest but culturally rich Puerto Rican neighborhood to the highest echelons of California celebrity.
He even invited fans to his home to really get to know him— a deliberate message to the crowd at a time when he has taken some flak from haters on social media as rumors swirl about what might be a budding relationship with model Kendall Jenner.
No matter, Bad Bunny reassured fans of his self-confidence. “Yo sé quién soy y pa’ dónde voy.” I know who I am and where I’m headed. The emphatic statement reinforced that Friday’s headline performance was at once a reflection about how far Bad Bunny has risen in stardom and how much he still desires to achieve, personally and professionally.
From the getgo, he acknowledged the history of his performance with a narrated intro and video montage that paid homage to previous festival headliners. In a later montage, he recognized Puerto Rican reggaeton stars that came before him. And, he spoke about breaking boundaries “for the first time in more than 20 years” in the Coachella Valley.
“Nunca antes hubo uno como yo,“ he said. In English, the quote translates to “Never before has there been someone like me. Un Benito.”
He opened with 2022 smash hit “Tití Me Preguntó,” and shortly after addressed the audience in English. “How you doing tonight, Coachella? What do you prefer, me talking in Spanish or hablando Español?”
“Español” was the overwhelming answer from a crowd with a smattering of Puerto Rican flags.
He entered dancing on a suspended stage wearing a colorful puffy jacket, cornrows and lots of ice around his neck.
The set was an homage to a gas station rooftop from where he recently performed an impromptu street concert in Puerto Rico.
Beneath him were a swarm of backup dancers in track suits designed to look like the Puerto Rican flag.
He deftly switched to a mellower gear with “Moscow Mule,” the first song on his 2022 Grammy Album of the Year nominee “Un Verano Sin Ti.”
And, from there, he teased his hit “Yo Perreo Sola” from his 2020 album YHLQMDLG, but didn’t play the song in full until much later.
The emotional rollercoaster continued as he jumped from a heartfelt performance of ballad “Si Estuviésemos Juntos” that he sang while sitting cross legged alone on stage, at times nearly curled up in a ball — to an upbeat remix of “Te Boté.”Like so many of his songs, the transition epitomized one of Bad Bunny’s signature themes — going through rough romantic breakups and bouncing back stronger.
Later, he left the platform to kick off a stretch showcasing 2020 hits — a year he released three albums and, for the first time, became Spotify’s most-streamed artist in the world. It’s a title he has not relinquished since.He also flash backed to his Coachella debut for “all his loyal fans” with hits from his 2018 debut album “X100PRE,” including “Otra Noche en Miami,” “Ni Bien Ni Mal” and “Estamos Bien.”
The only real bummer moment on the night was when Post Malone’s mic cut out for surprise acoustic guitar renditions of “La Canción” and “Yonaguni.” The two artists have not published any collaborations together but appeared to be good friends on stage as they performed Bad Bunny’s hits.
When the tech failed, the crowd stepped up. Thousands of fans filled awkward gaps singing a capella, reinforcing that Bad Bunny drew a more diverse and multilingual group to Coachella than ever before.After that mellow moment, the night resumed with gusto and fireworks. Guest Jhayco stayed for hit songs “Dákiti,” “No Me Conoce” and “Tarot.”
All that was left was for Bad Bunny to bring the crowd home with “Callaita” and another round of pyrotechnics as he belted “Después de la Playa,” one of the biggest hits of summer 2022 — and, now, Coachella 2023.
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