The third annual two-day Sueños Music Festival saw people flying in from different parts of the country for a lineup of highly popular Latin American artists that would perform at Grant Park over Memorial Day weekend. Sueños organizers estimated that more than 65,000 people attended.
While Saturday was filled with anticipation as the gates opened to long and disorganized lines of fans who were there for Xavi—the nineteen-year-old Mexican American whose music is hovering at or above Peso Pluma in international music charts—the warm buzz turned to cold frustration as Sunday’s headliner, Peso Pluma himself, was not allowed to perform due to a forecasted thunderstorm that turned out to be a brief shower. This was the third time his show was canceled in Chicago, the first two times over alleged public safety concerns.
Maluma’s performance was cut short on Sunday evening as the projector screens turned red, instructing everyone to evacuate the park against boos and cursing from the crowd. People in cute western and street wear outfits went home muddy, soaked, and disillusioned.
Before the chaos, reggaeton fans were able to indulge in energetic shows by Rauw Alejandro, Jowell y Randy, Alexis y Fido, Alvaro Díaz and Young Miko. Other Mexican American acts that remained in the lineup after delays and reconfigurations were Gabito Ballesteros (with surprise guest Chinito Pacas) and Ivan Cornejo. Dani Flow, who was starting his first U.S. tour in Chicago, also canceled due to setbacks with his visa.
A Sueños spokesperson said they were working with the Office of Emergency Management and Communications. On Monday, Sueños announced that ticket holders would automatically receive a 25 percent refund.
South Side Weekly photographer Mateo Zapata captured some of this year’s highlights.
Jacqueline Serrato is South Side Weekly’s editor-in-chief. Mateo Zapata is a freelance photographer at the Weekly.