On Thursday night (April 11), the Barclays Center in New York City was electrified by the presence of Bad Bunny. The arena, filled to its 19,000-person capacity, buzzed with anticipation as the Puerto Rican superstar kicked off the first show of his three-night stint in the city.
“New York has been very important in my career, where dreams come true,” Benito told his fans in his native Spanish during the performance. “Being on the tour feels really amazing, going to each 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 — who wore Prada sunglasses, a velour suit, and a gold cross necklace — delivered a dynamic performance that was an amalgamation of music and spectacle. It included a grand orchestra, an equestrian entrance, a surprise appearance by Bryant Myers to perform “Seda,” a jigsaw-like stage that transformed into the Brooklyn Bridge, and, of course, a repertoire of his biggest hits. (Here’s the complete setlist of the tour, which slightly changed to add “Amorfoda” and “Tití Me Preguntó.”)
This was part of his Most Wanted Tour — in support of his Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana album — which kicked off on Feb. 21 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Live Nation-promoted tour is halfway through its schedule, with forthcoming performances in cities including Austin, Texas (Apr. 26-27), Atlanta, Ga. (May 14-15), and Miami, Fla. (May 24-26). See the full dates here.
According to Billboard Boxscore, the tour has already been a commercial success, grossing $84.2M and selling 282K tickets over its first 18 shows. It has consistently sold out venues, demonstrating Bad Bunny’s continued widespread appeal.
Here are five standout moments from the first night of Bad Bunny’s Most Wanted Tour at the Barclays Center:
The Grandeur of an Orchestra
Bad Bunny’s grand entrance was enhanced by the stirring symphonic sounds of a grand orchestra. Setting a triumphant tone reminiscent of a championship bout or a cinematic Rocky Balboa moment, the orchestra filled the arena with melodious harmony for 10 minutes as the show commenced at 9:30 p.m. Adding to the immersive experience, orchestra members made surprise appearances throughout the audience, accompanying Bad Bunny’s rhythms, particularly during the opening numbers, “Nadie Sabe” and “Monaco.”
An Equestrian Entrance
Image Credit: Eric Rojas
The concert’s midway moment was marked by Bad Bunny’s dramatic arrival on a horse, embodying a masked cowboy in a fuschia outfit with fringes. Despite previous criticism from PETA, the superstar displayed gentleness towards the horse, who was also accompanied by a trainer. As arguably the first reggaetón artist to incorporate a horse into his act, he joins the ranks of regional Mexican icons like Joan Sebastian, Vicente Fernández, and Pepe Aguilar, who uphold this tradition.
Playing ‘Amorfoda’ on a Piano Upside Down
Displaying his entertainment abilities in unconventional ways, Bad Bunny played the first keys of “Amorfoda” on the piano — notably, upside down atop the instrument — to the astonishment of the audience. He also delivered a soulful rendition of “un x100to” accompanied solely by the piano, marking a poignant moment in the two-and-a-half-hour concert.
Surprise Guest Performance by Bryant Myers
The concert was further enlivened by a surprise performance from Bryant Myers, who joined Bunny on stage to perform “Seda” from Bunny’s latest album, Nadie Sabe. Their collaboration stretches back to 2017 with the hit “Pa Ti.” Previously, Myers had also made a surprise appearance at BB’s Los Angeles show in March. Their joy in their longstanding musical partnership were evident in their performances.
A Jigsaw-Like Stage Morphing into the Brooklyn Bridge
The stage was a dynamic piece of artwork, constantly shifting forms throughout the concert. With two stages positioned at opposite ends of the arena, and a bridge-like catwalk in between, the stage at one point 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.
