Bad Bunny @ Crypto.com Arena
Photos by Kelly Smiley/Crypto.com Arena
Thousands of cowboy hats have gathered inside Crypto.com arena, eager to see the biggest music star on the planet, Bad Bunny.
The lights dim; an orchestra walks out onto the stage. They set an immediate vibe for the show. This concert is elevated and far from your typical pop performance. After a few beautiful arrangements, Bad Bunny slowly pops out onto the stage. It’s early, but I can already tell that he’s properly warmed up. His vocals sound as energetic and expressive as ever. You can feel his emotions with every word. In a world where performers have grown more and more accustomed to singing over vocal backing tracks, Bad Bunny is a breath of fresh air. He gives his all into his performance and does not take this moment lightly.
Growing up as a non-Spanish speaking Hispanic, I’ve always felt a bit of alienation from my community. My mom never learned Spanish due to assimilation reasons. While the language itself may have not been passed down to me, my mom’s love for spanish-speaking music definitely has. Bad Bunny’s passion is undeniable; the love and care he puts into his craft is what makes his music truly universal.
Regardless of not being able to understand every word, this concert is still an absolute blast. Visually, the show is a masterpiece. Bad Bunny exudes showmanship as he performs in unison with his phenomenal backup dancers. His outfits are simply immaculate. The production is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Indoor fireworks and pyrotechnics bring an immense amount of dazzle to the show. The lights and lasers rival any edm show I’ve seen. Every part of the show works together in unison to create a constantly engaging and fantastical atmosphere. Every song is elevated thanks to the phenomenal environment Bad Bunny’s team created.
About halfway through the show, Benito disappears for a few moments. He then makes a dramatic reappearance on the other side of the arena; he appears horseback. This is the first time I’ve ever seen a live animal incorporated into a concert’s theatrics. No expense seems to have been spared for this concert. So many moving parts work to create a vibe that is simply unparalleled by any live event I’ve ever seen.
Toward the climax of the concert, Bad Bunny walks along a giant floating platform. He takes several dramatic pauses after songs to truly take in the energy of the crowd. His fans clearly mean the world to him and he gives us all of our energy back to us through his performance.
As the show winds down, Bad Bunny plays some highlights from his previous albums. He plays my mom’s personal favorite “Dakiti” and one of my personal favorites, “Efecto.” These songs are pure anthemic bliss and truly benefit from being performed in the stadium atmosphere
Bad Bunny wraps up the show with “Where She Goes,” a danceable track with emotional lyrics. It’s clear that this concert is an extension of his latest album, “nadie sabie lo que pasar a mañana.” The album dives into Bad Bunny’s complicated relationship with fame and his current place in the music industry. While he may not be a fan of everything that comes along with the spotlight, it’s clear that he has the utmost gratitude for his fans and artistic platform. He worked incredibly hard to deliver a concert that exceeded all expectations.
