Romeo Santos breaks records at 80k+ MetLife stadium
Bachata star Romeo Santos became the first Latin artist to headline – and sell out – the 82,500-capacity MetLife stadium in New Jersey on Saturday (21 September).
The Live Nation-promoted show was the highest grossing concert in the stadium’s history, breaking the record previously held by Irish rockers U2.
Special guests including Cardi B, reggaeton stars Ozuna and Wisin and Yandel and fellow Bachata artists Raulin Rodriguez, El Chaval and Zacarias Ferreira, as well as members from Santos’ former band Aventura, joined the singer onstage during his 22-track, four-hour performance.
“Romeo Santos has solidified himself as one of the greatest Latin artists of the generation with his historic MetLife show”
“Romeo Santos has solidified himself as one of the greatest Latin artists of the generation with his historic MetLife show,” comments Hans Schafer, head of Live Nation Latin. “This feat continues to show the power of Latin artists in the touring space and is a proud moment for Live Nation.”
The show celebrated Santos’ most recent album Utopia, which debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums list when released in April.
In 2014, Santos became the first Latin solo artist to headline a concert at New York’s 54,250-capacity Yankee Stadium.
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Hans Schafer to head up new Live Nation Latin division
AEG’s former director of Latin talent, Hans Schafer, has joined Live Nation as head of Live Nation Latin, a newly formed department dedicated to increasing the company’s presence in the growing US market for Latin music.
Encompassing concerts, festivals and artist development, Live Nation Latin will build on the company’s recent Latin successes, which include the Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull Live! tour, Prince Royce’s Five tour and Shakira’s upcoming El Dorado world tour, to “amplify Live Nation’s touring expertise across the Latin genre”, says the touring giant.
Schafer will report into Live Nation’s co-president of US concerts, Bob Roux, who comments: “Fan demand for live events is rising across the board, and we have been seeing increased demand for Latin live events in lock step with the overall market.
“We have been seeing increased demand for Latin live events in lock step with the overall market”
“Hans’s specific insights and experience related to the Latin touring business and his valuable talent relationships will allow Live Nation to continue to grow this important segment of live entertainment.”
“Live Nation already works with some of the world’s leading Latin artists, and I look forward to continuing to develop marquee events with these performers as well as up and coming Latin talent,” adds Schafer.
Bolstered by the record-breaking success of Luis Fonsi’s ‘Despacito’, 2017 has been called the year of the ‘Latin music revolution’ as a result of the genre’s newfound popularity among non-Hispanophone audiences.
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