Each year, Sueños Music Festival brings the most vital Latin artists to the shores of Lake Michigan for a celebration of music, community, and culture. For the fourth edition of Sueños, El Festival Latino pulled out all the stops, expanding the event’s footprint in Chicago’s Grant Park and adding two additional stages for festival-goers to dance the night away. Saturday brought one of the most exciting slates of performers in Sueños history, who warmed up the chilly spring night with their summer-ready vibes.
Saturday night finished with an incredible performance by Shakira, who performed a career-spanning set with amazing production from her current Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour. Touching the Sueños stage for the very first time, Shakira pulled songs from her deep bag of hits from the last three decades. The Colombian pop queen put her all into each song, from her 2002 English language breakout “Whenever, Wherever,” to more recent singles like 2024’s “Monotonía.” Playing into the hands of the mostly-Latin crowd, Shakira played multiple songs from her early career, including “Objection” and “Antología.”
@lupellerenasla Shakira closes out day 1 of Sueños Music Festival in Chicago 🇨🇴🔥👑 #shakira#shakirashakira#shakirafans❤️#suenos#suenosmusicfestival#latinmusic#musicjournalist#reporter#host♬ original sound – lupellerenasla
Leading into Shakira was Mexican music superstar Peso Pluma, whose setlist switched between corridos tumbados like “Rompe La Dompe” and “Ella Baila Sola,” and reggaeton hits like “La Bebe” and “QLONA.” Peso welcomed special guests, including Oscar Maydon, El Alfa, Tito Double P, and Jasiel Nuñez, and serenaded the crowd in a classic black-and-white Sox cap to pay homage to Chicago’s South side.
@lupellerenasla Peso Pluma and Tito Double P at Sueños Music Festival 🇲🇽 @Peso Pluma @TITO DOUBLE P👹🖤 @Sueños Chicago #pesopluma#pesopluma💯👹#ladoblep#pesoplumaoficial#pesoplumafans#titodoublep#suenos#suenosmusicfestival♬ original sound – lupellerenasla
Earlier in the day, Sueños presented an array of Latin music’s most exciting artists, who showed out for the Chicago crowd until dusk. Reggaeton legend Arcangel cut an imposing figure on stage, as he flawlessly performed hits from throughout his career. As always, Dominican dembow trail blazer El Alfa brought the energy, boosting the bass and testing the limits of the Sueños speakers. Rising corridor Oscar Maydon was a fan-favorite, as he demonstrated why he is one of Mexican music’s hottest acts. Earlier in the day, Sueños showcased some of the scene’s hottest risers, including rising urbano star El Malilla and genre-bending Monterrey native Nsqk. Meanwhile, La Fuente Stage (Presented by Toyota) provided an option for dance music fans, presenting a DJ set from superstar Nicaraguan-American DJ Gordo, Bad Bunny collaborator DJ Luian, and others.
@lupellerenasla Oscar Maydon y Dei V backstage en Sueños Music Festival 🤞🏽 @Sueños Chicago @DEI V @Oscar_Maydonn ♬ original sound – Sueños Chicago
Stay tuned for Sunday, which promises another full day of incredible music, from Don Omar, Wisin, Grupo Frontera, and many more.