8.14.2023
Baja Beach Fest 2023 Ends On A High Note, as Don Omar Invites Tego Calderon and Arcángel Onstage For a Landmark Performance of “Bandoleros”
View Even More Photos From the Final Day of Baja Beach Fest’s Fifth Anniversary Spectacular, Featuring a “Special Sunday Set” by Grupo Firme, Performances by Zion Y Lennox, Tokischa, Nio Garcia, and Much More
Reggaeton legend Don Omar surprised fans with special guests Tego Calderon and Arcángel.
(Photo credit: Baja Beach Fest / @okaynicolita)
CRITICAL PRAISE:
“Baja Beach Fest (BBF) presented some of reggaeton and Latin trap’s biggest names, cementing the beachside event as a top-tier celebration of música urbana” – Billboard
“Tres hectáreas de playa, lo mejor de la música latina, comida, glamour y mucho más ofrece Baja Beach Fest, un evento que desde su primera edición en 2018 ha capturado la atención de todo el mundo y se ha convertido en una verdadera celebración de la cultura latina.” – Rolling Stone
THE RECAP:
Dedicated to spreading positive vibras and showcasing spectacular music, Baja Beach Fest often saves the best for last. The final day of Baja Beach Fest’s Fifth Anniversary celebration paid tribute to Latin music from all regions and eras, with performances from genre pioneers, modern superstars, and everything in between. Veteran reggaetonero Don Omar headlined, performing a decades-spanning set, and bringing out fellow legends Tego Calderon and Arcángel–each of whom delivered stellar sets earlier in the day–as special guests. Don Omar and Tego Calderon’s performance of the reggaeton classic “Bandoleros“ was their first live performance of the song in nearly five years, and it was the first time Arcángel joined Don and Tego onstage in over a decade.
In a Baja Beach Fest first, the festival closed with a “special Sunday set,” this time delivered by Grupo Firme, the superstar banda & norteño outfit from Tijuana, just minutes up the road from Rosarito Beach. Undaunted by the post-midnight start time, Grupo Firme played a three-hour set (!!) for the adoring crowd, packing in hit anthems like “Ya Superame” and “Yo Ya No Vuelvo Contigo” and turning the festival into a Baja fiesta.
Earlier in the day, Baja Beach Fest showcased some of the most exciting names from Latin Music’s past and present. Arcángel and Tego brought unbeatable anthems during their respective sets. Veteran Reggaeton duo Zion & Lennox brought the buenas vibras from Carolina, Puerto Rico to the Baja Stage with an exuberant performance of “SUBEME LA RADIO.” Dominican dembow sensation Tokischa was a crowd favorite, bringing su actitud sin disculpas y estilo único to the forefront of an awe-inspiring set. Nio Garcia, Blessd, Mariah and Carmen Del Leon provided energy in the afternoon, while heavy-hitting producer DJ Luian set the mood for the evening shows with a speaker-knocking DJ set.
Packing in three days filled with exhilarating sets from some of the biggest names from all eras of reggaeton and Latin Music, Baja Beach Fest 2023 demonstrated once again why this once-humble oceanside festival transformed into the West Coast’s premier showcase for Latin Music and Reggaeton. Over the past five years, fans and artists alike have gravitated to Rosarito to revel in the company of their fellow fans, united by their love of the music and the beach town’s irrepressible vibes. Baja Beach Fest’s Fifth Anniversary was a moment to look backward and forward–a chance to marvel at Latin music’s global takeover and to ponder at what the future holds. One thing is for sure, as Latin Music, and Regional Mexican music, continue to grow, Baja Beach Fest will continue to provide the world-conquering music the showcase it deserves.
View a full complement of photos and other media from the festival at this Dropbox
Follow Baja Beach Fest on Instagram for in-the-moment updates
Check Out Don Omar’s post about his performance of “Bandoleros” on his Instagram
If you would like access to additional photos or videos, please contact Michelle, Kevin, or Annjie
GRUPO FIRME:
Regional Mexican supergroup Grupo Firme turn the Baja stage into a full on fiesta.
(Photo credit: Baja Beach Fest / @el_matzu)
(Photo credit: Baja Beach Fest / @el_matzu)
(Photo credit: Baja Beach Fest / @el_matzu)
DON OMAR:
(Photo credit: Baja Beach Fest / @el_matzu)
(Photo credit: Baja Beach Fest / @el_matzu)
TEGO CALDERON:
An undeniable Reggaeton icon, Tego Calderon performs for an overjoyed crowd.
(Photo credit: Baja Beach Fest / @okaynicolita)
ARCANGEL:
Arcángel gets the party jumping with “La Jumpa.”
(Photo credit: Baja Beach Fest / @aboytes)
ZION Y LENNOX: 
Zion & Lennox deliver an energetic performance of “SUBEME LA RADIO.”
(Photo credit: Baja Beach Fest / @mirandamcdonald)
TOKISCHA:
Dembow queen Tokischa gets gritty on stage.
(Photo credit: Baja Beach Fest / @mirandamcdonald)
NIO GARCIA:
The gravel-voiced hitmaker behind “Te Bote” makes his presence felt
(Photo credit: Baja Beach Fest / @okaynicolita)
MARIAH:
Mariah brings the Miami heat to the BBF stage.
(Photo credit: Baja Beach Fest / @mirandamcdonald)
SCENES FROM THE FESTIVAL:
Photo credit: @instillvisuals
(Photo credit: Baja Beach Fest / @el_matzu)
(Photo credit: Baja Beach Fest / @el_matzu)
(Photo credit: Baja Beach Fest / @mohammedazuara)
(Photo credit: Baja Beach Fest / @mohammedazuara)
The Background:
Celebrating Latin Music and Reggaeton in a beautiful beachside locale, Baja Beach Fest is the premier live showcase for one of music’s ascendant genres. Starting in 2018 as a humble beachside fest, Baja Beach Fest has grown into an institution in Rosarito Beach, MX each summer. The one-of-a-kind festival has recruited headliners including Bad Bunny, Ozuna, Karol G, Daddy Yankee, Maluma, and more. Founded by Chris Den Uijl and Aaron Ampudia of La Familia Presenta, Baja Beach Fest celebrates its Fifth Anniversary in 2023 with one massive weekend full of great music, unforgettable moments, and immaculate vibes.
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