The well-known Via del Mar International Song Festival returned on Sunday night (Feb. 19), following a two-year break brought on by the COVID-19 epidemic. Karol G served as the festival’s headlining act. The Colombian performer gave a “Bichota”-filled one-hour and 30-minute show in front of 15,000 spectators while sporting a baby pink sweetheart dress, ankle-high socks, white sneakers, and her brilliant red hair.
“Hey Chile, what’s up?” she asked the audience after kicking off the set with “Gatubela” and “El Poblado (Remix).” “What energy so chimba (cool). I was very nervous and excited for this day to come.” Karol performed classics including “Bichota,” “200 Copas,” “Ocean,” “Tusa,” and “MAMII” while singing entirely live, surrounded by a troupe of 12 mixed-gender dancers, and she finished with the EDM rendition of “Provenza.”
Yet, this Karol G performance was much more than just an ordinary one; it had notable guests, heartfelt fan experiences, and more. The highlights are as follows: Karol G welcomed two special guests to her Via performance even though she played several collaborations alone, such as “Gato Malo” with Nathy Peluso. Prior to performing the unpublished “Noche de Medellín (Remix)” for the first time, she first nicknamed Chilean newcomer Criss MJ.
Before the two artists sang it together, she added, “Unfortunately, this song never got out. Myriam Hernandez, a well-known Chilean singer-songwriter, subsequently joined her to perform a powerful duet of Hernandez’s 1988 hit song “El Hombre Que Yo Amo.” “It’s been 17 years since I’ve been here [Viña]. Thank you for inviting me,” Hernandez said after the song.
Karol G also astonished her audience by performing the first song from her new album Maana Sera Bonito, “Mientras Me Curo del Cora,” during her performance. She devoted the song, influenced by Hawaii, to her sibling who had recently given birth.
The coveted silver and gold gaviotas, the seagull-shaped prizes that are the festival’s symbol and are chosen by fans, were awarded to Karol G along the way as she created history as the first female urban musician to headline Via del Mar. Karol brought a “mini Bichota” (young fan) on stage at the conclusion of her performance, and after watching the young woman perform, Karol and the rest of the crowd agreed that she deserved the gold medal. It is a Carol G-only moment. The hosts then announced that they would be delivering another Gaviota to Karol’s house.
In addition to interacting with her audience, Karol once called out two Argentine performers who were taking in the performance: Nicki Nicole and Emilia Mernes. She also emphasized her pride in being a member of this generation of strong female voices, which also includes Tini, Paloma Mami, and others.
The Via del Mar International Song Festival will be broadcast live in the United States for the first time in its more than six-decade existence, exclusively on Billboard.com, Billboard’s YouTube channel, and on Twitter @Billboard. After Tini on February 20, Alejandro Fernández on February 21, Fito Páez on February 22, Christina Aguilera on February 23, and Camilo on February 24, the six-day event continues with those acts. At 8 p.m. ET, all headliners will take the stage.
Find the rest of the week’s schedule below.
Feb. 20 — Tini Stoessel
Feb. 21 — Alejandro Fernández
Feb. 22 — Fito Páez
Thursday, Feb. 23: Christina Aguilera
Friday, Feb. 24: Camilo
