Just a few blocks from the Guaranteed Rate Field, the stadium home to the White Sox located in the South Side of Chicago, concertgoers were spotted clad in Rebelde uniforms — denim skirts (or pants), crisp white button-ups, red blazers and, of course, the red striped tie.
On Thursday (Sept. 7), a sea of multigenerational fans made their way to the venue, where RBD was set to perform as part of their Soy Rebelde Tour — the band’s first show in the city in over 10 years — where fans would get to see Anahí, Christian Chávez, Dulce María, Maite Perroni and Christopher von Uckermann onstage again.
The ultra-successful Mexican pop group, which disbanded in 2008 after conquering the world in the early 2000s with massive pop hits such as “Sálvame,” “Rebelde,” “Nuestro Amor and “Sólo Quédate en Silencio,” is back together for one of the most momentous reunions in Latin music history.
Earlier this year, RBD announced their highly anticipated reunion tour, the band’s return to the stage in 15 years. As an RBD fan myself, it’s safe to say that it was worth the wait. Before performing an ultra-emotional two-hour set covering their extensive pop catalog, a few of the members shared some words of gratitude. “To see you again after many years, it’s very impressive,” Dulce María told zealous fans. “We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” Maite, who couldn’t help but get emotional added, “RBD never left. Thank you for being here. Thank you for all the years of love.”
Last month, RBD was Billboard Español’s digital cover story subject, where five out of the six original members (Alfonso Herrera declined to be part of the reunion) spoke about coming back together for a new tour and new music. “All five of us have very different personalities, and with the years, we’ve learned to embrace our differences. But in the end, it’s when we come back together that this grows and this magic explodes,” Perroni said about the reunion. The key is, back then, we came together as the result of an audition; this time, it’s something we chose to do.”
RBD is due back at Guaranteed Rate Field on Friday (Sept. 8) for a second show. Here are the best moments from RBD’s first show in Chicago.
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School is in session
From women to men and even kids, everyone was wearing their Elite Way School (the boarding school from the Rebelde telenovela, where RBD was born) uniform. And if you weren’t wearing that outfit — which required denim, a button-down white shirt and the striped tie — you were probably wearing a pink cowboy hat, as an homage to Mía Colucci’s (played by Anahí) music video for “Sálvame.” The fact that everyone there was in uniform was not only impressive, it also speaks volumes to RBD’s lasting influence on pop culture across generations.
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Unleash your energy
The stadium went dark a little past 8 p.m. and fans roared — some cried — as the show was about to kick off. “After 15 years, our hearts finally reunite,” Anahí’s voice was heard. “We’re breaking barriers. Today, we unleash our energy.” Then, the fabulous five were a vision, wearing sparkly outfits, standing on a floating pedestal, taking in the crowd’s screams and applause. Anahí, Dulce María, Christopher, Maite and Christian kicked off the two-hour show with bangers “Tras De Mí” and “Un Poco De Tu Amor.”
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Generación rebelde!
The last time RBD performed in Chicago was back in 2008 at the Allstate Arena. On Thursday, they performed at a stadium with a capacity of more than 40,000. “How are you tonight, Chicago?” Christian asked the rebeldes in attendance. “You don’t know what it feels like to see you all again. To see you again after many years. It’s very impressive. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” Dulce María said after performing the first two songs. To which Maite added, “RBD never left. Thank you for being here. Thank you for all the years of love.”
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Girl power
“Arriba las mujeres!,” Dulce María declared, sharing the stage with Anahí and Maite. “We’re so happy to be here after so many years. We’re now older, with more experience, stronger, more united. Let’s not compete with each other. Let’s create an alliance. We welcome all women that are here to join us three — who are now moms. We’re more united than ever.” The three went on to sing a medley of hits, including “Enséñame” and “Así Soy Yo.”
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“Inalcanzable”
Christopher took the spotlight to sing a solo version of the ballad “Inalcanzable.” He started off by letting the crowd sing the beginning of the track. He was clearly blown away at how fans put so much pathos into the delivery. Then, it was his turn to sing, and he did while playing the piano at first — and then walked down the stage’s runway to end the song closer to the crowd. “Tonight, we are one,” he told his fans.
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“I’m tired of saying I’m sorry”
Wearing a rosa mexicano-colored mariachi suit, Christian — who fully embraced his queer identity onstage — delivered a chilling version of the bilingual “Tu Amor,” backed by a live mariachi. “Today, I want say a few words because for many years I kept apologizing,” he addressed the crowd. “I was being someone who I wasn’t. You know what? I’ve really had it. Nobody will tell me who to be. Nobody will tell me who I can love. I know who I am. To my parents, my fans, to Mexico, my culture, Chicago, I love you.”
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“Sálvame”
Before taking the stage with her signature pink cowboy hat, Anahí spoke via emotional video voiceover: “Today, we connect again to that vulnerable side. We’re here without fear. We’re here just as we are. Perfectly imperfect. Today, we are strong. We’ve healed. Thank you for not forgetting me.” She then took the stage, wearing pink from head to toe, to sing her anthem “Sálvame,” a highly anticipated moment of the night. Thousands of fans sang with Anahí, who asked everyone to take that moment to reflect: “What would your tell your 2005 heart? Don’t sing this song to me, dedicate it to yourself. Tell your heart, we’ve been saved.”
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The red blazers
RBD closed the show in an epic and nostalgic way. As fans screamed “Rebelde! Rebelde!” five mannequins — wearing the iconic Elite Way School red blazer — appeared onstage. People rushed toward the front of the stage knowing this would be the last song. Anahí, Dulce María, Christian, Christopher and Maite, now wearing the blazers, performed “Rebelde” — the song that started it all, the one that soundtracked an entire generation’s teenage years. It was the perfect sign off for the perfect night. A declaration: Y soy Rebelde!
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