The celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Vive Latino festival transformed into an extraordinary celebration on Saturday, March 15. The event featured vibrant musical rhythms like rock and cumbia, brought to life by some of the most cherished artists, including iconic Mexican bands such as Caifanes, Los Ángeles Azules, and El Gran Silencio. Each performance resonated with the audience, highlighting the festival’s significance in the Latin music scene.
On its opening day, this magnificent musical gathering, which made a grand return to its original location at Estadio GNP Seguros (previously known as Foro Sol), successfully attracted a staggering 80,000 attendees, as reported by the promoter Ocesa. This turnout emphasizes the festival’s enduring popularity and the deep connection it fosters between artists and fans, showcasing a diverse range of musical talent.
Among the standout performances was the celebrated group Los Ángeles Azules, who made a triumphant comeback to the festival, marking 12 years since their unforgettable debut. Meanwhile, Caifanes made a significant impact by addressing pressing social issues, including the alarming crisis of femicides in Mexico and the challenges of migration, during their electrifying main stage performance, showcasing their commitment to social responsibility.
The festival was filled with delightful surprises, including the highly anticipated debut of emerging artist Macario Martínez at Vive Latino. Not only did he captivate the audience with his solo act at the Carpa Intolerante stage, but he also shared the spotlight with the band Little Jesus. Emotional highlights of the day included the dramatic appearance of Molotov’s guitarist and vocalist, Tito Fuentes, who joined his bandmates to celebrate their 30th anniversary, despite previously announcing a health-related hiatus.
Another remarkable performance came from Emmanuel “Meme” del Real, the talented keyboardist of the renowned band Café Tacvba, who showcased new material from his solo repertoire, captivating the audience with fresh sounds. Additionally, the legendary German band Scorpions fulfilled a promise to their Mexican fans by finally performing at the festival after having to cancel their appearance last year, making their return highly anticipated.
Day one of the festival was further enriched by a diverse lineup featuring both Spanish and English-speaking artists, including Nortec: Bostich + Fussible, Él Mató a Un Policía Motorizado, Foster the People, The Guapos, Caloncho, and Jesse Baez. This eclectic mix of performers contributed to the festival’s reputation as a celebration of cultural diversity and musical innovation, attracting a wide array of music lovers.
As the festival continued into Sunday, March 16, music enthusiasts were treated to a stellar lineup featuring Zoé, Mon Laferte, Aterciopelados, Sepultura, Keane, Draco Rosa, Los K’comxtles, Eden Muñoz, Kany García, Porter, Rüfüs Du Sol, and Cuarteto De Nos, among others. Thanks to a partnership with Amazon Music, fans could enjoy live streams of the concerts for free on the digital platform, expanding the festival’s reach beyond physical attendance.
Below, we highlight some of our favorite moments from the exhilarating first day of the 2025 Vive Latino festival, celebrating a remarkable quarter-century of music and cultural expression.
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Caifanes Advocates for Women and Immigrants
The illustrious Mexican rock band Caifanes graced the stage for their third appearance at the festival, delivering one of the most celebrated performances of the day. Under the dynamic leadership of vocalist-songwriter Saúl Hernández, the band showcased their new single “Y Caíste” live, marking a significant moment in their artistic evolution.
Alongside their musical showcase, they utilized their platform to raise awareness regarding the ongoing femicide crisis affecting Mexico. Caifanes took a moment to screen the impactful video for “Canción Sin Miedo” by singer-songwriter Vivir Quintana, a powerful tribute to the feminist struggle against gender-based violence, which tragically claims the lives of approximately 10 women daily, as reported by UN Women. “Let’s applaud the women who have made history in this country. Femicides have not ceased, and we demand that they stop. Our voice will continue to challenge this issue,” Hernández passionately declared during this important month dedicated to women.
Classics such as “No Dejes Que,” “Afuera,” and “Nubes” were part of Caifanes’ captivating setlist. The performance concluded with a heartfelt cover of Manu Chao’s beloved song “Clandestino,” dedicated to immigrants, as the band asserted that “no human being is illegal,” a powerful message resonating deeply with the audience.
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Los Ángeles Azules Bring Cumbia Joy
Image Credit: OCESA/Victor Fuentes Los Ángeles Azules made a vibrant return to Vive Latino, nearly 13 years after their unforgettable debut at this iconic rock festival. They dedicated their exhilarating performance to the memory of Porfirio Mejía García, father of the founding members of this legendary band admired across Latin America and beyond.
During their performance, the group was joined by renowned vocalists Natalia Lafourcade, Belinda, Ximena Sariñana, and Denise Gutiérrez (from Hello Seahorse!), performing beloved classics like “El Listón de Tu Pelo” and “Entrega de Amor.” They also collaborated with Lafourcade on a fresh version of their hit “Nunca es Bastante,” delighting the audience with their musical chemistry.
As they welcomed the crowd, the exuberant exclamation, “Welcome. This is cumbia!” echoed from the stage, igniting a wave of euphoria among fans who showcased their best dance moves, capturing the lively spirit of the festival.
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Molotov Celebrates 30 Years of Music and Activism
In a heartwarming display of camaraderie, Molotov celebrated their 30th anniversary during a memorable performance at Vive Latino, despite the recent announcement regarding the temporary retirement of vocalist and guitarist Tito Fuentes due to health concerns. Fuentes made a surprise appearance, thrilling the audience and reuniting with his bandmates for this landmark occasion.
“He did come. This was the surprise,” said Paco Ayala to the enthusiastic crowd, as Fuentes joined Micky Huidobro, Randy Ebright, and Jay de la Cueva, the latter stepping in as a replacement during Fuentes’ rehabilitation period. This reunion served as a powerful reminder of their enduring friendship and commitment to their craft.
Molotov also took a moment during their set to dedicate a song to immigrants striving to achieve the so-called “American dream.” “This song is for immigrants,” Huidobro announced before performing “Frijolero,” a track that resonates deeply with many seeking better opportunities.
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Macario Martínez Captivates at Intolerante Tent
The rising star Macario Martínez, who transitioned from a street sweeper to a TikTok sensation, emerged as one of the standout performers on the first day of the festival. The Mexico City-born artist drew a massive crowd to the Intolerante Tent, where thousands gathered to witness his debut performance at the vibrant chilango festival.
At this venue, the folk musician not only performed his viral hit “Sueña Bonito, Corazón” in a regional Mexican style but also showcased additional songs that are gradually establishing his presence in the music industry. His heartfelt performances resonated with the audience, further solidifying his status as a rising talent.
Recently, Martínez collaborated on the track “Esa Noche” with Eslabón Armado for the group’s album Vibras de Noche II, and he also made a special guest appearance during the set of the Mexican rock band Little Jesus, further showcasing his versatility and growing popularity.
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Meme del Real Unveils His Solo Career
Meme del Real took the stage for his solo debut at this renowned festival, marking a significant milestone after 35 years of contributing to Café Tacvba. The talented keyboardist showcased a selection of songs from his forthcoming solo album, which remains untitled, alongside beloved hits he created for the band, such as “Aviéntame,” famously featured in the Oscar-nominated film Amores Perros directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu.
His set also included the heartfelt single “Princesa,” alongside Café Tacvba classics like “Eres” and “Quiero Ver,” captivating the audience with a nostalgic journey through his musical legacy.
