Just because Coachella already came and went, that doesn’t mean festival season is over. What’s the next music festival we’re looking forward to? How about one that’s making a wave in the reggaeton and Latine scene? We’re talking about the upcoming Sueños Music Festival at the historic Grant Park in Chicago, IL, from May 27 to 28.
Sueños Music Festival boasts live performances from more than 20 Latine artists, from reggaeton to pop to regional Mexican. This year, the highly-anticipated Midwest festival will have one single stage that will be graced by prominent and emerging artists across music scenes. Whether you’re into reggaeton icons like Wisin y Yandel and Ivy Queen or looking to add newer artists like paopao and Junior H to your playlist, this two-day festival is one you can’t miss out on this month.
In a nutshell, on Sat. (May 27), the headliners are Wisin y Yandel and Feid. Other artists performing that same day include Arcángel, Chencho Corleone, and Ivy Queen. On Sun. (May 28), the headliners are Grupo Firme and Nicky Jam. Other performers include Becky G, Eladio Carrión, and Myke Towers.
But hold up–only one stage? We get it. Festivals can be tiring, especially when everything’s going down on one main stage. But don’t let that tempt you to arrive late—the music magic is happening all day long. To help you schedule your breaks throughout what’s bound to be an epic weekend, we’ve curated a detailed cheat sheet on who you should not miss out on and why.
From Guanajuato’s sad banda it boy Junior H to Puerto Rico’s alternative perreo on-the-rise songstress paopao, here are six of our favorite artists you should check out and why you shouldn’t miss them.
Junior H
Rancho Humilde’s Junior H—born Antonio Herrera Pérez—is among the most exciting acts in the new modern regional Mexican music wave. Going through a heartbreak? He’s got a song about it. Feeling in love? He’s your go-to as well. Junior H is known to put on a good show—and the amount of flower bouquets he receives during his live performances speak for it. The young artist is also known to blend in sad boy sierreño music, corrido tumbados, and banda elements throughout his music. During his live performances, he not only assembles a whole banda but he also takes his time to interact with his audience, making it more of a party than just your average performance. What to expect? A corrido tumbado-infused party with your compas that are ready to get you in your feelings—or over them.
Wisin y Yandel
Wisin y Yandel is back at Sueños Music Festival this year. Serving as the first night’s headliner alongside Feid, this could be Chicago’s last chance to see El Dúo de la Historia perform their hits live. As some might recall, the reggaeton icons announced their retirement plans last year. They even released a final album and last-ever La Última Misión Tour to wrap up their bountiful musical trajectory that saw them succeed since the late ‘90s. What to expect? An energetic performance full of their TBT repertoire like “Pam Pam,” “Sexy Movimiento,” and “Rakata,” which helped put them as one of the most important duos el movimiento history. With non-stop back-to-back bangers on their roster, the duo’s set is not one to miss. So get ready to perrear ‘til the end with them, maybe for the last time.
Becky G
It’s Becky G’s year, and everyone knows it. The Mexican-American pop star just played Coachella and recently announced her first-ever headlining U.S. tour. Besides her live performances, she’s simultaneously working on her upcoming regional Mexican music album, which we’ve already had a taste of with her recent track “Chanel” with Peso Pluma. Though this is not part of her headlining tour, we might get a glimpse of what to expect in the fall. Will she bring her Coachella set list to Sueños? Will she bring out more of her música Mexicana vibe, her pop era, or a mix of both? Regardless of what she decides, what’s true is we will witness her entrancing dance moves and electric on-stage persona, which has made her one of the hottest Latina performers of our generation. So, who’s ready to finally sing “MAMIII” and “BAILÉ CON MI EX” live?
Young Miko
Young Miko is a straight-up unapologetic badass. Her music captivates her audience in a unique, rebellious way that throws away any outdated gender norms in reggaeton. With her distinctively deep and flirtatious rap flow on top of catchy bass-heavy beats, she paved her own way as one of Puerto Rico’s hottest traperas in the game. In her live performances, expect to see her continuous and infectious spirit, her sensuous dances, animated and pink-hearted graphic backgrounds, and, of course, the childish-like smile that contradicts some of her risqué yet enthralling lyrics. Overall, if you’re looking for a fresh face slaying the rapping scene, look no further: Young Miko is it. Furthermore, she also has huge collaborations with other names under the festival’s bill, such as Feid, Yandel, and YOVNGCHIMI. Will Sueños festival-goers be treated to some of her hard-hitting joint tracks live? We sure would love to see that.
Feid
Get your green outfit and white-rimmed sunglasses ready. Between Feid’s vibrant live performances, immaculate flow, and stage charisma, the Colombian singer-songwriter is experiencing a career-high. Chicago can expect to experience his highly-praised Ferxxo Nitro Jam Underground Tour live, which includes a giant monster truck on stage. All in all, it only adds to the Colombian’s all-around unmatched swag. What else to expect? A whole green-lit vibe once he sings the earworm, viral lyrics, “Tú tienes cara de que te gusta freaky y nasty / Nada de lo romantic / Tú te ves cara, bitchy, classy, en cuatro fantastic” from his popular track “Classy 101” live. Could it be that Young Miko will join him for the performance? If so, that’s a whole other reason not to miss out on this headliner slot. We’ll be crossing our fingers for you, Chicago!
paopao
The emerging alternative emo-perreo music maker paopao is making her way to Chicago this month. After working almost every behind-the-scenes job in the music industry, the Puerto Rican singer-songwriter is ready to show the Midwest what she can do on stage. Sueños marks one of paopao’s first festivals in the U.S., but based on her past live performances, it appears she brings her heartfelt lyrics and connects with her audience through them. You can expect a heart-on-your-sleeve, slowed-down moment with heavy-bass and trap-infused melodies that’ll have you missing your ex or remembering why you left them in the first place. Regardless of your sentimental response, paopao will ultimately give you a fresh look at the magic that’s happening right now in Puerto Rico’s women-leading reggaeton movement. Why miss an opportunity to see one of the burgeoning voices pushing gender and genre boundaries in the reggaeton space?