Despite the weather taking a turn later in the night, The Salt Shed’s outdoor fairgrounds transformed into a full-blown tropical escape. More South American beach party than a Chicago concert venue. The warm air pulsed with vibrant, Latin-infused beats as ASTROPICAL delivered a night bursting with rhythm, movement, and celebration. The Tuesday crowd was electric, energized by the arrival of the supergroup combining Colombian electro-tropical trailblazers Bomba Estéreo and Venezuelan indie sensations Rawayana. With summer slowly creeping in and the city’s mood as brooding as its skies, this burst of Latin American joy came right on time.
The June 3 show followed the release of ASTROPICAL’s self-titled debut album, which dropped March 7. A bold collaboration between two of Latin America’s most adventurous acts. The result is a vibrant blend of Afrobeat, champeta, electronica, and reggaetón, wrapped in themes of love and celebration. On stage, Liliana Saumet brought Bomba Estéreo’s signature fire and magnetism, while Beto Montenegro’s cool confidence brought balance and charm. Since its release, the album has taken the group to major festivals like Vive Latino in Mexico City and Estéreo Picnic in Bogotá.
Now on their North American leg, ASTROPICAL arrived in Chicago fully charged, ready to move both hearts and bodies.
The night kicked off with a magnetic performance from Yendry, the Dominican-Italian singer making her long-overdue Chicago debut. Armed with nothing but a microphone and her powerhouse vocals, she quickly captivated the early crowd. Her playful choice to speak entirely in Spanish, joking about the show’s bilingual nature, drew laughter and cheers. As she rolled through songs centered on empowerment and joy, her presence grew bolder with each track. By the end of her set, Yendry had the audience firmly in the palm of her hand.
At exactly 8:15 p.m., ASTROPICAL stormed the stage. The backing band opened with a slow, rhythmic build as Beto Montenegro emerged to ease into the sultry intro of “Brinca (Acuario).” The lyric “No hay ley en la música” (“There is no law in music”) rang out as a promise of boundary-free celebration. Moments later, Liliana Saumet burst onto the stage, her gritty vocals cutting through the night like a spark. His smooth swagger coupled with her fierce fire, fused into something electric. The crowd exploded with energy, and for the next 75 minutes, the dance floor never cooled down.
Though the show featured two distinct bands, the night belonged entirely to ASTROPICAL.
The setlist leaned heavily on their collaborative debut, but also made room for individual favorites and surprise covers. Bomba Estéreo lit up the crowd with explosive performances of “To My Love” and “Fuego,” while Rawayana brought their signature groove with “Veneka” and “Hora Loca.” Saumet’s touching tribute to Selena with a soulful rendition of “Como La Flor” drew heartfelt cheers, and the full group united for a joyous, high-energy take on Proyecto Uno’s “El Tiburón.” This show was a living, breathing tribute to the diversity and dynamism of Latin American music. Beneath the warm Chicago sky, fans danced, sang, and let go.
But this night meant more than just a celebration. For many Latinos in the U.S., joy itself is an act of defiance. In a climate where immigrant communities face constant fear, where ICE raids haunt neighborhoods and the Venezuelan migration crisis deepens, hope can feel like a luxury.
Against that backdrop, seeing a sea of Latinos come together, unapologetically proud and united in culture, was powerful beyond words.
Amid that uncertainty, ASTROPICAL created a sanctuary. A space where love, resilience, and joy could flourish, if only for a night. As the final songs “Siento (Virgo)” and “Me Pasa (Pisces)” echoed through the air, the outside world briefly faded away. We knew we’d wake up to the same struggles. But for that one radiant evening, we were reminded of the creativity, strength, and unity that define the Latin American spirit. ASTROPICAL didn’t just perform their bold, genre-blurring debut, they embodied it. Live, loud, and beneath a sky charged with rhythm and resistance.
All photography by Oscar De Leon
