SUEÑOS 2025 : LATIN FESTIVAL OF DREAMS
What do you get when you mix Memorial Day weekend, the biggest Latin artist in the world, and a crowd ready to dance all night long? You might say it’s a dream come true, but we’d rather call it Un Sueño. Chicago set the stage for legends in the culture such as Shakira, Don Omar, Grupo Frontera and El Alfa while also highlighting legends in the making like Peso Pluma, Jhayco and DND. It’s hard to find a genuine Latin representation on a large scale nowadays, let alone to the level of over one hundred thousand attendants. Sueños not only brought Spanish speakers from all over Latin America together, but also unified Hispanic culture seamlessly through music, food and vibes. From our experience nothing compares to the feeling of raw happiness while everyone around is dancing in the colors of their flag. For two days we got to experience exactly what Sueños 2025 had to offer and one thing for sure, it was a weekend we won’t forget.
Lines wrapped Grant Park as people eagerly waited to get into the festival grounds, and Latin American countries flags’ scattered across their bodies as they didn’t hold back on representing their home. They didn’t have to wait long as the gates opened promptly at 12 noon. Not a second was wasted as the crowd ran directly to the main stage for the first performance of the weekend NSQK. A sound that mixes illuminating melodies and trance-like beats had people immediately dancing and grooving. We got to tap in with him after his performance and found out his name originates from a tag for his internet collective started by himself and his childhood friend group.
The rest of day one was nothing but eventful with artists such as El Alfa performing possibly one of his last festival appearances after announcing his retirement from music earlier this year. Archangel, one of the first Spanglish artists, and the biggest supporter for ascending artist out of Puerto Rico, had the grounds shaking as people ran to see his set. Peso Pluma performed as a special guest and put the crowd in a state of constant movement playing hit after hit. Even bringing the legend El Alfa back out for a Dembow breakdown. Gordo, the Nicaraguan DJ, closed out the “La Fuente” stage with some of the world’s biggest hits right now such as “Sideways” with Drake and “Olvidarte” with Emilia. Shakira ended the night the only way she knows how, with the blending raw vocals with captivating choreography. The Colombian showstopper had jaws on the floor during her “Te Felicito” interlude where she imitated a mad scientist building her own perfect companion. For the very few who don’t know who she is, they would be in awe at the fact she has been in the music industry for over 30 years.
After a noteworthy first day of Sueños, day 2 was kicked off with a tight-knit sit-down interview with aspiring Latin boyband DND. Backed by Pharrell Williams himself, they were preparing to make their festival debut.
For a full view of our sit-down interview with DND you can check it out @nvrcomehome on Instagram.
Keeping the flow of Day 2 going, Jhayco rocked the stage in four parts. Dividing his set to correspond with the four elements of the Earth, his set was a sharp reminder of how many hits the Puerto Rican-born artist has under his repertoire.
Tito Double P then kept it true to his roots with his traditional contemporary música Mexicana. Often associated with his cousin, whom had been a special guest the day prior, Peso Pluma, Tito made sure to make Day 2 a day of his own.
The festival grounds looked like one large dance floor at a family gathering as the Mexican group Grupo Frontera played their modern classic Norteño Cumbia hits, such as ‘Que Vuelves’ and ‘Bebe Dame’. A park full of strangers, who danced as if they’d always knew each other.
Closing off the festival in a triumphant fashion, one of reggaeton’s founding fathers Don Omar, took the stage as if it was built for him, and honestly, it might as well have been. Preaching out his timeless hits such as ‘Bandaleros’ and ‘Ella y Yo’, he demanded each viewer’s engagement, through hips and two-steps.
Sueños was more than just a music festival, it was a Latin cultural reunion, celebration of heritage, and a reminder of how unified music can make us through different backgrounds. Two unforgettable days, the fans danced between the Chicago stars at Grant Park, raising and wearing their flags filled with pride. From today’s stars, rising artists, and legends who paved the way for all that preceded, Sueños was a reminder of the path anyone from any background can have. We came for the music, but we left with the recuerdos.
