Old school reggaeton will forever be on my playlist. And I hope to be that mom in a couple of years, putting my kids on to the “back in my day” tunes, and they enjoy it as much as I have with my mom, who has put me on to artists like Vicente Fernández, Ana Gabriel, Rocío Dúrcal, Chayanne, and more.
In 2024, Sueños Music Festival announced its lineup, and one duo caught my name, Alexis y Fido. The year before in Chicago, my first time at Sueños, I saw Wisin y Yandel, and I had to keep up the tradition of seeing all those who contributed to la vieja escuela. Unfortunately, bad weather took over the Windy City, canceling most of the sets on May 26, 2024. However, Alexis y Fido were still scheduled to go on, and you can imagine my disappointment as I waited to hear that infamous growl; instead, the sounds of Jowell y Randy came on, no shade to them.
Fast forward to 2026, when BACARDÍ extended an invite to el festival Latino, which turned into my 4th time being in Chicago during Memorial Day weekend. Two reasons made it an easy decision for Alexis y Fido to return to the Sueños stage. “We regret that we couldn’t show up, but we are crazy about returning to Chicago; it is a city that welcomed us with open arms from the beginning,” Joel Martinez, one half of the duo “Los Reyes del Perreo,” shared with Remezcla. They kept their promise on returning, and it was more amazing than I could have expected in 2024.
Another reason: BACARDÍ, of course. With every sip of the popular rum, I feel like I’m en la isla del encanto, happy to feel the warmth and enjoy the beauty Puerto Ricans call home. Returning as a sponsor to the popular festival with their CASA BACARDÍ, their on-site destination instantly transported me to La Placita. With their cocktails and great energy, it made the weekend feel like an unforgettable party in Santurce, but in Chicago con mi gente Latina.
This year’s Sueños was jam-packed with artists like Kali Uchis, Tokischa, J Balvin, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Yeri Mua, and more, but BACARDÍ came with their tunes. Aside from the speakers at CASA BACARDÍ blasting old-school reggaeton, salsa, and merengue, I also got to hear tunes from current faves Young Miko, Bad Bunny, Karol G, and plenty more. They also had DJs spinning like Fuerza Regida’s DJ DYNAMIQO, as well as performances by Las Bompleneras.
I got to chat with DJ BOLO, who was part of the Sueños lineup and has partnered with BACARDÍ on multiple occasions for memorable festival experiences. This year, he graced us with some spins on Sunday afternoon before hitting the La Fuente Stage, along with a curated CASA BACARDI playlist you can listen to HERE, so you feel like you were there last weekend on May 23-24, 2026.
Between the music, cocktails, great company, and escaping the bad weather in New York. BACARDÍ has convinced me that it doesn’t matter if you can’t make it to el caribe, it can be wherever you want it to be with a delicious Mango Fuego in hand, great tunes, preferably DJ BOLO’s curated playlist, and a fun mindset. If you’re planning to attend next year and want to stop by CASA BACARDI, the Latino festival is happening on May 29-30, 2027.
Will I return to Chicago for the 5th time on Memorial Day weekend? I want to see that lineup first, but if BACARDÍ is inviting me to anything, it will always be an easy yes.
Travel and accommodations were provided to the author by BACARDÍ for the purpose of writing this story.