Latin icon Luis Miguel’s tour shifts 3.1m tickets
Veteran Latin singer Luis Miguel has emerged as one of the year’s biggest touring artists after selling 3.1 million tickets for his first global trek in five years.
Produced by Fenix Entertainment, Cárdenas Marketing Network (CMN) and Iglesias Entertainment, the 54-year-old Mexican performed 66 shows to 900,000 fans in 2023 and will play 111 concerts to more than 2.2m people this year.
Miguel, who first rose to fame in the 1980s, was ranked at No.4 in Pollstar‘s Worldwide Top 100 Artist Grosses for Q1 2024, grossing $84,367,629 from 593,308 ticket sales to trail only Coldplay, U2 and Madonna.
“Why is this happening? Because he’s an idol. People love him,” Henry Cárdenas, CEO and founder of CMN, tells Pollstar. “The other thing is that he doesn’t go out every year, and people were hungry to see him.”
“This is a unique artist. He is elegant, and people like to pay to see an elegant singer. He can be playing at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden or a soccer stadium, and he’s always dressed elegantly. He’s not on MTV, or radio stations every day doing interviews. It’s about his talent.”
“He saw the response and said, ‘I want to do something that [no Latin artist] has done. I want to do 200 shows'”
The Luis Miguel Tour kicked off in August 2023 at the Movistar Arena in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he performed 10 sold-out nights. The run continued with 10 sold-out shows in Chile and 25 sold-out stadiums in the US, before closing with 21 shows in Mexico. More dates were added due to demand.
“He saw the response and said, ‘I want to do something that [no Latin artist] has done. I want to do 200 shows,’” adds Cárdenas. “And I said let’s do it.”
The outing, which includes more than 150 crew members, including 15 musicians and 19 mariachis. resumed on 18 January at Santo Domingo’s Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium in the Dominican Republic, followed by three sold-out concerts at El Coliseo de Puerto Rico, two shows in Guatemala, and stops in El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica and Venezuela.
Currently in Colombia, the tour will extend through Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, the US, Canada, Spain and Mexico.
The Spanish leg will feature 15 dates from 28 June to 3 August, including two sold-out gigs at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium. It will also visit Córdoba, Sevilla, Pamplona, Murcia, Roquetas de Mar, Barcelona, A Coruña, Cádiz, Valencia and Marbella.
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Latin star Karol G plans debut European tour
Colombian reggaeton superstar Karol G has announced her long-awaited European tour debut, bringing Mañana Será Bonito (Tomorrow Will Be Nice) to arenas and stadiums across the continent.
The 10-date outing, produced by Live Nation, will kick off on 8 June 2024 at Hallenstadion (cap. 15,000) in Zurich, Switzerland.
Stops include Cologne, Amsterdam, London, Paris, Milan, Antwerp, Berlin and Lisbon, with the tour closing at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium (65,000) in Madrid, Spain, on 20 July.
The European leg will follow her 27-date trek across 14 cities in Latin America, which stretches from 8 February to 10 May.
The announcement comes at the end of a historic year that saw the singer-songwriter gross $145 million with 843,000 tickets sold in just 18 shows. She also became the first female artist to reach #1 on Billboard Top 200 with a Spanish-language album.
At the end of last year, some of the biggest executives in the Latin music industry placed their bets on Karol G breaking through on an international level this year.
The 32-year-old, whose real name is Carolina Giraldo Navarro, is represented worldwide by Jbeau Lewis and Ryan Soroka at UTA.
Tomorrow Will Be Nice 2024 European Tour Dates:
08 June 2024 Zurich, Switzerland Hallenstadion
11 June 2024 Cologne, Germany Lanxess Arena
June 14, 2024 Amsterdam, Netherlands Ziggo Dome
18 June 2024 London, UK The O2
22 June 2024 Paris, France Accor Arena
25 June 2024 Milan, Italy Milan Forum
June 29, 2024 Antwerp, Belgium Sportpaleis
02 July 2024 Berlin, Germany Mercedes-Benz Arena
07 July 2024 Lisbon, Portugal Altice Arena
20 July 2024 Madrid, Spain Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
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CAA announce the launch of CAA Latino
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has announced the launch of CAA Latino, to formalise what the agency described as its “longstanding efforts to support and amplify Latino and Hispanic representation across media and entertainment.”
The agency’s Latino and Hispanic clients include Enrique Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez, Pedro Pascal, Becky G., Ricky Martin, Jenna Ortega, Salma Hayek and many more.
“Building upon the agency’s success with existing clients, CAA Latino’s agency-wide, cross-department work will create and maximize new revenue and business opportunities for Latino and Hispanic clients across music, film, television, endorsements, sports, business development, and more,” according to a press release announcing the launch.
The team of CAA Latino is led by Rudy Lopez Negrete (latin music and brand partnership agent); Toby Borg (head of global client strategy); Marielena Acevedo and Erik Toral (global client strategy executives); Dania Echeverri and Camila Seta (CAA brand consulting executives); and André Vargas (CAA’s chief data officer).
“CAA Latino’s agency-wide, cross-department work will create and maximize new revenue and business opportunities for Latino and Hispanic clients”
More than 30 colleagues across the agency’s businesses and offices will be “key contributors” to CAA Latino’s work, according to the press release announcing the launch of CAA Latino.
“Latino and Hispanic talent and creators have a large and ever-growing impact on culture globally,” a joint comment from Negrete and Borg reads.
“CAA Latino supercharges the company’s integrated and collaborative model of service, building upon years of success championing the underrepresented Latino and Hispanic communities. Our top priorities are to change how the diverse community is depicted on screen, give greater voice to the work of Latino and Hispanic artists and storytellers, and drive new revenue for clients.”
Latinos account for the fastest-growing portion of US GDP and are the youngest and fastest-growing demographic in the country, according to the release.
“Latin music has recently reached an all-time high share of total music revenue. Over the last 20 years, $85 billion dollars has been generated at the worldwide box office by films with Latino talent in at least one of the top five roles. Hispanic viewers surpass non-Hispanic fans across major sporting events like the Super Bowl.
“Yet the community remains overlooked by companies that do not recognise Latinos as a priority demographic, resulting in continued underrepresentation, or misrepresentation, in film and television, news, book publishing, and beyond… CAA continues to prioritise and invest in a wide range of efforts and initiatives that advance opportunities for underrepresented communities within the agency and beyond.”
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J Balvin announces 2024 European arena tour
J Balvin aka ‘The Prince of Reggaeton’ has announced a 2024 European arena tour, Que Bueno Volver a Verte (How Good to See You Again).
The outing comes on the heels of the Colombian artist’s most recent summer festival circuit where he headlined multiple sold-out shows in Paris, Spain, Switzerland, Singapore, Australia and many more.
The Que Bueno Volver a Verte tour kicks off on 26 April at Festhalle in Frankfurt, Germany, before hitting 19 more arenas in Geneva, Zurich, Milan, Vienna, Berlin, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Helinski, Kaunas, Cologne, Paris, Brussels, Esch, Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon, and wrapping on 5 June in London at The O2 Arena.
“I’m thrilled to take a completely new show, with new music on the road”
“Latino Gang – I can’t wait to see you! We’ve had so much fun together that we have to do it again!” says J Balvin. “I’m thrilled to take a completely new show, with new music on the road with the ‘Que Bueno Volver a Verte’ (Good To See You Again) tour abroad next year. We have something very special in store for you and I can’t wait to unveil the next chapter of music we’ve been working on.”
Balvin, represented by WME worldwide, is one of the best-selling Latin music artists, with sales of more than 35 million records worldwide.
The ‘Mi Gente’ singer has also made history as the first Latino artist to headline Lollapalooza and also the NFL kickoff concert.
April 26 – Frankfurt, Germany – Festhalle
April 28 – Geneva, Switzerland – Geneva Arena
April 30 – Zurich, Switzerland – Hallenstadion
May 1 – Milan, Italy – Mediolanum Forum
May 3 – Vienna, Austria – Stadenthalle
May 6 – Berlin, Germany – Mercedes Benz Arena
May 8 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome
May 10 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena
May 12 – Oslo, Norway – Oslo Spektrum
May 14 – Stockholm, Sweden – Tele2
May 16 – Helinski, Finland – Ice Hall
May 18 – Kaunas, Lithuania – Zalgiris Arena
May 21– Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena
May 22 – Paris, France – Accor Arena
May 24 – Brussels, Belgium – ING Arena
May 25 – Esch, Luxembourg – Rockhal Arena
May 28 – Barcelona, Spain – Pavello Olimpic Badalona
May 31 – Madrid, Spain – Palacio Vistalegre
June 1 – Lisbon, Portugal – Passeio Maritimo Alges
June 5 – London, UK – The O2
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Latin festival Besame Mucho expands in US
Latin music festival Besame Mucho is expanding to a second US city after a successful debut in Los Angeles.
The first edition, organised by Tropicália and La Tocada, took place in December 2022 at Dodger Stadium, LA, with a diverse lineup of Latin acts.
The LA debut and its second edition, due this December, are said to have sold out in minutes.
Capitalising on that success, Besame Mucho (Kiss Me A Lot) will launch on 2 March 2024 at the Circuit of the Americas racetrack in Austin, Texas.
The debut will see 60+ acts perform across four stages, including Los Tigres del Norte, Banda MS, Grupo Frontera, La Ley, Caifanes, El Tri, Alejandra Guzmán, Gloria Trevi, Café Tacvba and Molotov.
The debut will see 60+ acts perform across four stages, including Los Tigres del Norte, Banda MS and Grupo Frontera
Las Clasicas Stage, which will close with Los Tigres, is dedicated to the classics and will feature 30 groups, including Grupo Frontera, Bronco, Los Tucanes De Tijuana, Ramón Ayala and Alicia Villareal.
The Banda Stage will have performances from Banda El Recodo, La Adictiva, Banda Los Recoditos, Banda Machos, Cuisillos and more, and the Rockero Stage will feature a number of notable rock bands, including Cafe Tacvba, Juanes, El Tri, Maldita Vecindad, Panteón Rococo and Hombres G.
Along with Trevi, Alejandra Guzmán, Belanova, Reik, Sin Bandera and Ha*Ash are among the 18 acts to perform on the Te Gusta El Pop? Stage.
Presale for Besame Mucho Austin starts on 3 November, with ticket prices ranging between $275 for general admission and $950 for platinum.
The second edition of Besame Mucho LA will return to Dodger Stadium on 2 December and includes some of the same artists scheduled for Austin.
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Karol G continues record-setting streak in US
Colombian reggaeton superstar Karol G has become the first Latin act to sell out two straight nights at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.
The 32-year-old singer, who is managed by Noah Assad’s Rimas Entertainment, attracted a total of 120,000 fans across the 18-19 August dates in Pasadena, California.
The three-hour shows were also the highest-grossing concerts by a Latin female artist, earning US$12.8 million (€11.8m) and $12.6m, respectively.
G’s Live Nation-produced Mañana Será Bonito Tour kicked off at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, earlier this month, and has also visited San Francisco’s Levi’s Stadium and Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. Pollstar reports the first four shows of the tour grossed $39.6m.
Karol G is the first female artist to reach No.1 on the US Billboard Top 200 with a Spanish-language album
The trek continues tonight (29 August) in Texas at Houston’s, followed by stops at the Alamodome in San Antonio (31 August), and the Cotton Bowl in Dallas (2 September). It then heads to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (7-8 September), Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois (15 September), Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia (21 September), Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida (24 September) and Gillette Stadium in Boston, Massachusetts (28 September).
In early 2023, G became the first female artist to reach No.1 on the US Billboard Top 200 with a Spanish-language album, courtesy of her Mañana Será Bonito LP.
In March, meanwhile, she made history in Puerto Rico by becoming the first artist ever to sell out three nights at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, drawing more than 100,000 fans across the trio of Move Concerts and Noah Assad-promoted gigs.
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Baja Beach Fest, Lolla to launch Latin Reggaeton weekender
The producers behind Baja Beach Fest, Chicago’s Reventon Promotions, and Lollapalooza are launching a new Latin Reggaeton festival in the US.
Sueños Music Festival (Dreams Music Festival) will be the largest Latin Reggaeton music event to ever take place in Grant Park in the heart of downtown Chicago.
The two-day, one-stage event will feature headliners J Balvin, Ozuna, and Wisin & Yandel, with performances from Myke Towers, El Alfa, Jhay Cortez, Sech, Fuerza Regida and more over Memorial Day weekend, 28 and 29 May.
The festival will be J Balvin’s only Chicago appearance in 2022 and his first time performing in the city since his iconic set at Lollapalooza in 2019, and Reggaeton star Ozuna’s first performance in Chicago in four years. Wisin & Yandel, meanwhile, will deliver one of their last-ever performances at Sueños, as part of their final tour, ‘La Ultima Mision’.
“Reggaetón is a massive genre but remains underserved by live festivals in the US”
“We’re honoured to work with the producers of Lollapalooza and Reventon to bring a premier Latin festival to Grant Park in Chicago,” says Baja Beach Fest’s Aaron Ampudia. “Reggaetón is a massive genre but remains underserved by live festivals in the US. We’re extremely proud to expand to the US and serve our community and everyone who enjoys Latin music. Chicago, estén listos para perrear.”
Reventon Promotions’ Enrique Medrano adds: “Over a decade ago, I started Reventon Promotions with a dream of bringing authentic and diverse Hispanic entertainment to Chicago. Now I am excited and proud to be part of the first Sueños festival, an event that celebrates the Hispanic presence in the city, in addition to being held in the iconic and representative Grant Park right in the heart of downtown. What better place is there for thousands of people from different Latin American countries to meet, share, and celebrate with artists of the likes of J Balvin, Ozuna, and many more.”
Lollapalooza Chicago is due to return to Grant Park between 28–31 July, while Baja Beach fest will return to Rosarito Beach, Mexico, for a third edition between 12–14 and 19–21 August.
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Move’s Bad Bunny stadium show sells out fast
Bad Bunny’s highly anticipated hometown shows at Puerto Rico’s Hiram Bithorn Stadium sold out in less than 20 minutes, promoters Move Concerts and Noah Assad Presents have revealed.
The urban sensation’s P Fkn R show, rescheduled from May 2020, went on sale on Friday (20 August) and sold out soon after. The concerts, which take place at the 18,000-seat stadium on 10 and 11 December, will be Puerto Rico-born Bad Bunny’s first shows this year.
P Fkn R is the first announced show of a new partnership between Miami-based Move Concerts, which has an office in Puerto Rico, and Noah Assad, whose Rimas Music represents some of the world’s biggest reggaeton artists.
Everyone attending the P Fkn R show will be required to present proof of vaccination
Everyone attending the 10 and 11 December shows, which have a capacity of 35,000 each, will be required to present proof of full Covid-19 vaccination.
The Hiram Bithorn Stadium, the island’s largest, has previously hosted concerts by the likes Bon Jovi, Ozzy Osbourne, Rihanna, Shakira, Sting and Whitney Houston, in addition to its regular use as a baseball park.
Multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy-winner Bad Bunny will follow up the show with a world tour, El Último Tour del Mundo 2022, which kicks off on 9 February 2022 at the Ball Arena (20,000-cap.) in Denver, Colorado.
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LA’s Staples Center reopens after 513 days
Mexican band Grupo Firme have wrapped up a ten-night arena run in the US, seven of them at Staples Center in Los Angeles, selling more than 100,000 tickets and taking the record for the most shows in a single year at the venue by a Latin act.
The banda performers kicked off their west-coast tour at the 20,000-capacity Staples Center on 30 July – exactly 513 since the last show there, on 4 March 2020 – and returned on 31 July and 1, 4, 6, 7 and 8 August.
They then played a sold-out show at Footprint Center (18,000-cap.) in Phoenix, Arizona, on 13 August; reopened Pechanga Arena (16,100-cap.) in San Diego, California, on 14 August; and concluded with another sold-out show at Mechanics Bank Arena (10,400-cap.) in Bakersfield, California, on 15 August.
The shows, Grupo Firme’s first arena concerts, were promoted by Nederlander Concerts. With the O2 in London having reopened on 10 August, both of AEG’s flagship arenas are now back up to full capacity.
Founded in Tijuana in 2013 by Eduin Cazares and Joaquín Ruiz, Grupo Firme have risen to become one of Mexico’s most popular musical exports with their viral mix of “dance-happy norteñas, ranchera and banda music”.
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Marc Anthony plots first and only livestreamed event
Organisers of Marc Anthony’s One Night Only global livestream event are gearing up for what they hope will be the biggest Latin music live stream to date, with tickets selling strongly for the Latin superstar’s first and only virtual concert.
The seven-time Grammy award winner will take to the stage on Saturday 17 April for what is described as an intimate, personal performance that promises viewers “an an experience that cannot be duplicated, not even in a live stage show”.
One Night Only is directed by Grammy winner Carlos Perez (’Despacito’, ‘Vivir Mi Vida’) and produced by Magnus Studios, with worldwide promotion/marketing handled by Miami-based promoter Live and Loud. Global distribution will be managed by Live and Loud Studios, the promoter’s development and distribution arm.
“There is no generation that has not danced to or enjoyed Marc Anthony’s music,” says Nelson Albareda, CEO of Loud And Live, “so it gives us great pride to be able to collaborate with one of the most distinguished and legendary Latin artists of our time, in what will be his first and only virtual global concert.
“It gives us great pride to be able to collaborate with one of the most distinguished and legendary Latin artists of our time”
“Despite not being able to offer live events during this time, these virtual concerts have helped us forge ahead and bring unique experiences to our global audiences.”
“At Magnus Studios, we have set out to create unique content and entertainment experiences for worldwide audiences,” adds Magnus COO Felipe Pimiento. “Music is in our DNA and this will mark the first of many music content productions in our production pipeline; we couldn’t be prouder than starting with our own, Marc Anthony, to set the stage for what’s to come.”
Adds Anthony: “Although for safety reasons we cannot be face-to-face yet, I am sure that this concert will create an incredible magic that will allow me to connect with my audience, wherever they are, and with all those who need a touch of music to move forward; to maintain the passion for life.”
Tickets for One Night Only, which are priced at €20 + €7.24 booking fee, are available from Anthony’s website.
Latin music specialist Loud and Live, which is partnered with leading Latin American promoter Move Concerts, recently promoted Florida’s first concerts of 2021 with three back-to-back shows by ‘Gentleman of Salsa’ Gilberto Santa Rosa.
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