On Thursday night (April 11), the Barclays Center in New York was electrified by the presence of Bad Bunny. The 19,000-capacity arena filled with anticipation as the Puerto Rican superstar kicked off the first show of his three-day stint in the city.
“New York has been very important in my career, where dreams come true,” Benito told fans in his native Spanish during the show. “Being on tour is really amazing, going to every place and seeing it, all the cities, but New York, it's something else. It feels more amazing than usual. Seeing all those PR and DR flags makes it even more special. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being here, it means a lot to me.”
Bad Bunny – wearing Prada sunglasses, a velvet suit and a gold cross necklace – gave a dynamic performance that was a combination of music and spectacle. It featured a large orchestra, an equestrian entrance, a surprise appearance by Bryant Myers to perform “Seda,” a puzzle-like stage transformed into the Brooklyn Bridge and, of course, a repertoire of his greatest hits. (Here's the full tour setlist, slightly altered to add “Amorfoda” and “Tití Me Preguntó.”)
This was part of his Most Wanted tour — in support of his tour Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana album — which debuted Feb. 21 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Live Nation-promoted tour is halfway through its schedule, with upcoming shows in cities including Austin, Texas (April 26-27), Atlanta, Ga. (May 14-15) and Miami, Florida (May 24 -May 26). ). See the full dates here.
According to Billboard Boxscore, the tour was already a commercial success, grossing $84.2 million and selling 282,000 tickets in its first 18 shows. It has consistently sold out venues, proving Bad Bunny's continued widespread appeal.
Here are five standout moments from the first night of Bad Bunny's Most Wanted tour at Barclays Center:
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The grandeur of an orchestra
Bad Bunny's grand entrance was enhanced by the stirring symphonic sounds of a large orchestra. Setting a triumphant tone reminiscent of a championship match or Rocky Balboa movie moment, the orchestra filled the arena with melodic harmony for 10 minutes as the show began at 9:30 p.m. , accompanying Bad Bunny beats, particularly during the opening numbers, “Nadie Sabe” and “Monaco”.
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Equestrian Entry
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Image credit: Eric Rojas
The intermission of the concert was marked by the dramatic arrival of Bad Bunny on a horse, embodying a masked cowboy in a fuchsia fringed outfit. Despite previous criticism from PETA, the superstar showed kindness to the horse, which was also accompanied by a trainer. As arguably the first reggaetón artist to incorporate a horse into his act, he joins the ranks of local Mexican icons such as Joan Sebastian, Vicente Fernández and Pepe Aguilar, who uphold this tradition.
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Playing 'Amorfoda' on a piano upside down
Showing off his entertaining skills in unusual ways, Bad Bunny played the first few keys of “Amorfoda” on the piano – essentially, upside down on top of the instrument – to the audience's surprise. He also gave a dazzling rendition of “un x100to” accompanied entirely by piano, marking a stirring moment in the two-and-a-half-hour concert.
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Surprise Guest Performance by Bryant Myers
The concert was further enlivened by a surprise performance by Bryant Myers, who joined Bunny on stage to perform “Seda” from Bunny's latest album. Nadie Sabe. Their collaboration dates back to 2017 with the hit 'Pa Ti'. Previously, Myers also made a surprise appearance at the BB show in Los Angeles in March. Their joy for their long musical collaboration was evident in their performances.
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A puzzle-like scene that transforms on the Brooklyn Bridge
The stage was a dynamic work of art, constantly changing forms throughout the concert. With two stages placed at opposite ends of the arena and a bridge-like catwalk in between, the stage at one point was transformed into an impressive replica of the Brooklyn Bridge, made possible by intricate light work. This captivating visual element added a unique dimension to the concert experience.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/lists/bad-bunny-new-york-concert-5-standout-moments/
