Recommendations of the Editorial team
La Düsseldorf celebrates Caribbean night. Mega euphoria when the roof of the hall opens towards the end.
Even on the ICE train from Berlin it’s audibly Hispanic. Pilgrimage to Bad Bunny, who, after ten (!) guest appearances in Madrid, is stopping off in Düsseldorf for two nights as part of his European tour.
Local media had previously proudly reported that the superstar from Puerto Rico had already enjoyed an Altbier in the old town the evening before.
The “Sol y Luna Bar” in turn held special bunny parties, with a specially created bunny cocktail on the menu. The local Latino community also prepared for the concert weekend. Reggaeton moves were rehearsed in formation in dance schools. A shower of sympathy for the “very cool, very nice, very easy-going person,” said a fanboy in the “Rheinische Post” who met Private Bunny on his foray.
Chuwi opens – Bad Bunny takes over
The Puerto Rican band Chuwi opened with the appropriate mood, whose mix of indie pop and Caribbean folk influences formed the cultural staple of the headliner’s “Debí Tirar Más Photos” tour. Instead of a classic warm-up band, Bad Bunny consciously presented actors who convey the roots of his current era and who later appeared on stage together with the boss.
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, as Bunny calls it, then took over the show in a cream-colored suit and tie to deafening cheers. Closed eyes, mysterious expression. The storm could break out.
Initially with brass instruments and a rhythm crew wearing flat caps and circular saw hats, he stages the show as a journey through his own work. Arrangements reminiscent of salsa and Caribbean orchestral traditions, as a counterpoint to reggaetón. The production seems nostalgic, some scenes even seem cinematic, like from the “Buena Vista Social Club”. A musical bridge between the different styles.
Sold out: Global rush to Düsseldorf
The demand for the only Germany double concert was enormous. Everything was sold out within a very short time. And similar to Adele or Taylor Swift, fans traveled from all over Europe and overseas.
Even in front of the stadium gates, Puerto Rican, Colombian, Mexican, Ecuadorian and Peruvian flags set the scene. The controversial ticket broker Viagogo announced in advance that fans from all over the world were interested in tickets. A phenomenon that has become more common in recent years: city travel tourism with superstar shows.
Some of the resold tickets would have even gone to the USA, where Bunny, as a hate figure for US President Donald Trump, is not playing any concerts until further notice.
Energy, proximity and the open roof
As the evening progresses, the focus increasingly shifts to the energetic elements of his repertoire. Between Latin rap, trap and reggaetón, the show develops a dynamic that carries the audience almost non-stop for three hours. Particularly effective is the pink and yellow “Casita”, a second stage in the middle of the interior, on which beautiful, happy fans become actors in the production, as if from a video.
Then a bang effect beyond the music. In the middle of the show the music slows down. Bunny goes to the edge of the stage, shakes hands, hugs fans and takes plenty of time for direct encounters. They cuddle and kiss for minutes. When he later hugs a child and an older visitor, the Heidewelt happiness is perfect.
The audience had to be patient beforehand. Under the initially closed roof of the arena, the temperature and humidity rose noticeably. Later, when the roof opened in slow motion, the party gained new air and new momentum.
Politically, Bad Bunny remains consistent. Like Fidel Castro, he gave speeches for minutes about colonialism and humanity – all exclusively in Spanish. He repeatedly emphasizes his connection to Puerto Rico. “You are bringing Puerto Rico into the world,” he shouts to the fans. At home, together with the musician Residente, formerly of Calle 13, he is one of the active oppositionists in the Caribbean art community.
Between the various stage outfits, he then put on a white training jacket with “Teamgeist” lettering and the logo of the official Adidas match ball for the 2006 World Cup. A tasteful reference to the late evening World Cup match against Ivory Coast – and certainly a congenial deal with the sportswear sponsor from Franconia.
Finale: “Debí Tirar Más Photos” as a collective choir
For the finale, Bad Bunny brings together the greatest moments of his career. Songs like “La Canción”, “Yonaguni” and finally “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” transform the arena into a collective choir. The title track in particular develops emotional power that goes far beyond its catchy chorus.
The unctuous message of capturing special moments before they disappear irretrievably seems like a nice ending.
Bad Bunny achieves the rare balance: between global superstar and Puerto Rico ambassador, between spectacular stadium production and personal closeness. The sometimes brittle Rhine metropolis mutates into “La Düsseldorf” – and the Fortuna Arena into a short-term focal point for Latin American pop music.
