The highly anticipated Sueños Festival made its return to Grant Park over Memorial Day weekend, drawing thousands of attendees for its fourth edition. With a lineup featuring global stars like Shakira, Don Omar, El Alfa, and the highly-anticipated return of Peso Pluma, the festival became the Midwestern hub for Latinx music enthusiasts.
Last year, festival-goers faced an early conclusion when Peso Pluma’s performance was abruptly canceled due to severe weather that mandated an evacuation of tens of thousands. This year, despite cooler temperatures, attendees showcased their best western and urban styles, determined to enjoy the festivities.
The traditional single-stage format of the festival was excitingly transformed into three stages: the main Sueños stage, La Fuente, positioned beside Buckingham Fountain, and La Plaza, designed to resemble a town square. La Fuente primarily featured DJ sets, while La Plaza dedicated its space to spotlight regional Mexican acts, including local talents like Vanguardia, Grupo Sekta, and Los K-Bros.
On the first day, Peso Pluma honored his Chicago fans with a long-awaited and dynamic performance, making a splash by inviting Tito Double P as a guest during his set. Shakira also stole the spotlight with an impressive two-hour show on the main stage, blending modern hits and timeless classics like “Hips Don’t Lie” and “She Wolf.”
Throughout the festival, a mix of genres resonated across the park, with tribal beats, cumbia, reggaetón, and corridos celebrating Latin American heritage. Sunday was highlighted by back-to-back DJ sets at La Fuente, featuring the Mexican trio 3BallMTY followed by Mexican American DJ Deorro, who electrified the crowd by bringing out rapper Santa Fe Klan to perform their latest track “La Bandera.”
The grand finale featured reggaetón legend Don Omar, delivering a nostalgic journey through his timeless hits like “Ella y Yo,” “Danza Kuduro,” and “Virtual Diva.” Chicago-based DJ Karenoid, known as the “diva virtual,” thrilled audiences at the Corona Lime Lounge with her sets over the weekend, teasing new music from her forthcoming Digitona EP, which she described as inspired by digital maximalism and neoperreo.
Karenoid noted her frequent DJ gigs in Mexico City have heavily influenced her sound, as she aims to innovate and introduce reggaetón mexa to the Chicago scene. “My goal is to put a flag down in Chicago, South Side Chicago. There’s a new neoperro queen—that’s me,” she proclaimed, determined to shine a light on Mexico’s distinct contribution to the reggaetón genre.
The festival also showcased new rising talent, with the Toyota Music Den providing an intimate setting for emerging artists. San Diego Chicano artist Eddie Zuko captivated attendees with a vibrant thirty-minute performance that integrated tracks from his upcoming 2024 album Abajo Del Sol and fan favorites like “Made” and “La Flor.”
Zuko expressed his appreciation for the Chicago crowd, embracing the sense of community he felt while performing. His lyrics, which intertwine themes of love, struggle, and daily life, resonated as he reflected on the diversity within the Latinx community.
Deorro, another standout DJ at the festival, shared insights about his future projects, revealing plans for a rock en español-themed album following his next release. He commended Sueños for its vibrant atmosphere and for serving as a reminder of the rewards of hard work.
The Sueños Festival also served as a platform for local businesses and vendors, showcasing a range of cultural products and services. Lilith’s Side, a holistic shop founded by afromexicana Jetziba Calvin, offered handmade curative items alongside tarot readings and prints of Calvin’s photography, marking a monumental opportunity for her brand.
Calvin considered her participation in the Mercadito vendor section as a significant milestone, a manifestation of her commitment to positivity and transformation through her work. “From the moment that you open your eyes, how you speak into life, and how you move through life and connect with others, that is a spell in itself,” she remarked.
The spirit of empowerment resonated in other vendor areas, particularly the Sin Titulo shop, co-founded by sisters Irais, Diana, and Itzel Elizarraraz, which has evolved from an apparel brand to an advocate for mental health awareness. The sisters shared their goal of flipping the narrative around immigrants, illustrating positive representations through their merchandise.
“The festival is called Sueños and we believe that everyone has the right to have their dreams be accomplished wherever, regardless of a border wall,” Irais emphasized.
This sentiment reverberated throughout the festival grounds, where dreams transcended stage performances into broader expressions of Latinx identity and ambition. Sueños not only offered a platform for artists and vendors but also cultivated a communal experience rooted in music, culture, and shared aspirations.
With deep Latinx roots in Chicago, events like Sueños become imperative for affirming cultural experiences and advocating for representation in various forms of artistic expression. The festival encapsulated the myriad layers of Latinx identity, weaving together tradition, dreams, and community through vibrant performances and meaningful interactions.
Overall, Sueños Festival distinguished itself as a meaningful celebration of Latinx culture, a dynamic gathering of artists, attendees, and local businesses dedicated to uplifting communities and fostering connection. As attendees left Grant Park, the infectious energy of Latin rhythms lingered, promising a bright future for both the festival and the artists it champions.
image source from：https://southsideweekly.com/suenos-is-a-stage-for-rising-artists-and-culture-in-all-its-forms/
