Barcelona gives in to perreo at the Reggaeton Beach Festival

“Reggaeton? What is that?” replied Oasis member Noel Gallagher in 2018 when a journalist asked him what he thought of the genre. Since then, no one—at least not publicly—has asked the Brit if he's figured out what this musical phenomenon is all about, but it would be hard to believe that, at this point, he's still oblivious to the Caribbean rhythms and carefree lyrics that dominate the global charts.

“He traded you for being better than her, for women and a couple of bottles,” Arthur, a 25-year-old Scotsman, sings enthusiastically in his strained but surprisingly firm Spanish. He knows what reggaeton is, and that's precisely why he traveled from Glasgow to Barcelona with five friends to attend the Reggaeton Beach Festival. This year, its seventh edition is being held in the Catalan capital, and for the first time, it's being held at Fira Barcelona in l'Hospitalet.

A crowd dances in swimsuits, sequined dresses, sheer dresses and cowboy boots

On a stage flanked by three LED screens, Puerto Rican Osvaldo Elías Castro Hernández, known professionally as Darell, performs his hit song "Otro trago." The atmosphere in the venue is as hot as it is electric. A crowd of young people dance freely in swimsuits, sequined dresses, sheer tops that showcase tattooed bodies, and cowboy boots. It smells of hamburgers and sweat. The roof protects them from the sun, but not from the stifling heat that accumulates beneath the metal structures.

Outside the pavilion, those seeking relief find a 12-meter-high water slide, sprinkler areas, and sliding walkways that offer, if only for a moment, a respite from the fire emanating from the asphalt.

Promoted as the largest urban music festival in Europe, the Reggaeton Beach Festival—which also visits cities such as Tenerife, Benidorm, Santander, Mallorca, Madrid, Nigrán, and Torrevieja—yesterday brought together seven artists who reflect the diversity of the Latin genre.

The day began with Darell's trap and the hip-hop influence of Puerto Rican Luar La L. Clarent and Noriel, known for hits like Cuatro Babys with Maluma, opened the party, while Dei V represented the new generation that fuses sentimental trap with soft reggaeton, winning over a young audience.

Fourteen artists on stage The festival will close its seventh edition with performances by Sech, Chencho Corleone, and Justin Quiles.

After nine o'clock at night, the closing act for the first of the two nights of the festival was Bryant Myers, a pioneer of trap and raw reggaeton, with his distinctive style and deep voice, alongside El Alfa, the greatest exponent of Dominican dembow, who has collaborated with figures such as Cardi B, Major Lazer, and Bad Bunny.

At press time, the crowd was dancing nonstop and eager for more, fueled by the energy and rhythm felt throughout the day. Tomorrow, the party continues with seven artists who are sure to keep the atmosphere lively: Sech, Hades66, Juhn El All Star, Chencho Corleone, Justin Quiles, and Almighty.