From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.
Los Tigres del Norte’s Minnesota Performance During ICE Turmoil
The regional Mexican music legends performed their largest Twin Cities concert at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul on Friday (April 17) during their Los Tigres Del Mundo tour, amidst heightened tensions following ICE’s Operation Metro Surge. The band — known for championing immigrant rights — told reporters before the event that they hoped to provide a moment of joy and respite for attendees.
“The date was already set for a long time before we knew any of this was going to happen. Now, we want to help,” Los Tigres del Norte‘s Jorge Hernández said in the Minnesota Star Tribune. “It’s hard, because the city has been hurt a lot, the citizens there. Whenever you perform you want people to have fun and forget about everything going on. That’s really what we want to do there.”
Days before their show, an ICE officer was charged with assault related to the surge. The officer allegedly pointed a gun at civilians while off duty.
Ricardo Arjona’s Message to Gaby Moreno on Her Broadway Role
In a heartfelt Instagram story earlier this week, Guatemalan music legend Ricardo Arjona celebrated singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno on her role as Persephone in the award-winning Broadway musical Hadestown. “I think taking the photo was forbidden, but I couldn’t resist. My little compatriot shining on Broadway,” wrote Arjona on alongside a photo of the two warmly embracing. He continued, “Immensely proud, Gaby. Of how much you are and of how much you don’t know you are. My favorite in this masterpiece.”
Moreno, playing Persephone through the end of August, reflected on her casting in a previous Billboard Español interview: “I still don’t understand how or who it was that put my name on the list, but about a year ago, my manager got an email asking if I was available to play the role of Persephone on Broadway. I thought it was a joke at first.”
Karol G’s Headlining Coachella Set Ignites Streaming Surge
Following her headlining show at Coachella on Sunday (April 12) during Weekend 1, Karol G saw a tremendous spike in streaming activity. Her overall Spotify plays Stateside increased by +35.5%, more than doubling the global lift of +14.3%. Notably, the Tiësto assisted remix of her 2022 Coachella-debuted hit “Provenza” saw a 139% increase — which she wrapped up her set with — marking the biggest spike among her catalog, according to Spotify data shared with Billboard. California cities like Rialto, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, and Riverside reported streaming increases of over 100%, with Los Angeles at 95%. Apart from California, regions like Tucson, Seattle, Milwaukee, and Brooklyn also saw noticeable surges.
“Moments like this show how deeply connected live performances and streaming are. Following her historic Coachella set, fans didn’t just watch, they went straight to Spotify to revisit her music, driving an immediate spike in listenership, especially in the US,” Maykol Sanchez, head of music, LATAM at Spotify, tells Billboard Español. “It’s a powerful reflection of how her performance resonated with audiences and the cultural impact of her milestone as the first Latina to headline the festival.” Stream the remix below.
Ruidosa Fest Returns to New York’s Lincoln Center
Ruidosa Fest is back in New York for its third edition at Lincoln Center, taking place on July 12. Featuring performances by Lila Downs, Pabllo Vittar’s CLUB VITTAR, Francisca Valenzuela, Elsa y Elmar, and more, this free, all-day festival blends concerts, panels, and community activities. Highlights include a masterclass by Latin Grammy winner Ella Bric and a book fair that celebrates the intersection of music, culture, and creative voices. Part of Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City programming, Ruidosa Fest continues to champion gender equity in Latin music. For more details, visit @ruidosafest or summerforthecity.org. See the full lineup below.
