On Friday, July 18, 2025, I found myself inside the iconic Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, experiencing the second weekend of the residency “No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí” by Bad Bunny. What unfolded that night was more than a concert—it felt like a cultural homecoming, a communal declaration of love for Puerto Rico, wrapped in sound, spectacle, memory, and pride.
Setting the Stage: A Homecoming with Intention
Bad Bunny’s residency (running from July 11 to September 20, 2025) was intentionally rooted in his homeland of Puerto Rico. The first dates—of which July 18 was one—were dedicated exclusively to residents of the island. The message was clear: this wasn’t just another tour stop, but a celebration of culture, identity and place.
And indeed, from the moment I stepped into the venue, the energy felt grounded in that philosophy. The production design was richly symbolic—local flora, mountain-inspired set pieces, house-like structures that evoked both nostalgia and community. The fact that Bad Bunny chose to stay on the island for this entire run, rather than launching in the U.S., strengthened the sense that this was a “for us, by us” moment.
When the lights dimmed and the music began, the arena became an extension of Puerto Rico itself. Families, longtime fans, young first-timers, older generations—all standing together, singing, dancing, feeling. In his interview, Bad Bunny remarked that he felt a “pride, the sense of homeland that unites generations.” That unity was palpable on that night.
The setlist drew from his latest album Debí Tirar Más Fotos—which itself has been described as an homage to Puerto Rico. Hits were reimagined with salsa, house, bomba influences; there were acoustic moments of vulnerability, full-on parties of reggaetón and bass. The surprise cameo of Ricky Martin (as reported) added sparkle and a sense of generational blessing.
When Bad Bunny sang lines that referenced leaving, returning, staying—“No me quiero ir de aquí” resonated not just as a lyric but as a communal sentiment. The island, on a hot summer night, felt alive with memory and possibility.
@cosplaysbyshinobi My POV at the Bad Bunny residency! One of the best concerts I’ve ever been too! #badbunny #livemusic #puertorico #superbowl #fyp
Cultural Significance: More than a Show
This event carried weight beyond entertainment. Puerto Rico has long grappled with economic challenges, displacement, migration, and the struggle to keep its identity alive in a shifting world. Bad Bunny’s residency acknowledged all of this—not by ignoring hardship, but by celebrating resilience and culture. In the i-D magazine feature, he said: “The pride, the sense of homeland… it is much more marked.”
Moreover, his decision not to schedule large concert dates on the U.S. mainland—citing concerns over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and the safety of his audience—gave the residency added significance. He remarked that the absence of U.S. stops wasn’t out of animosity, but out of care for his fans. The residency, then, becomes both a statement and a sanctuary.
Highlights & Reflections
- Opening energy: When he kicked off with the first chords, the roar was immediate and sustained. I felt it reverberate through my chest.
- The mountain and the house: The dual sets—a faux-mountain with lush detail and a “casita” (little house)—served as metaphors: the wild terrain of home; the small, intimate space of memory and family. Visible from all around the arena.
- The guest drop-in: Ricky Martin’s appearance, brief but electric, brought a wave of recognition and pride across generations of Puerto Rican music fans.
- Acoustic moment: Somewhere mid-set there was a quiet moment—Bad Bunny alone at the front, talking about staying, about roots, about the island. The buzz dropped to a reverent hush for a few seconds.
- Dancing together: At some point I turned and saw a grandmother and her teenage granddaughter dancing side by side. That simple moment said more about the residency’s cultural grounding than any flashy production number.
Why This Matters: A Love Letter in Concert Form
What I witnessed on July 18 was not just a performance—it was a homecoming, for Bad Bunny and for Puerto Rico. The title “No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí” (I don’t want to leave here) echoes a broader theme of belonging, resistance, celebration. The residency becomes a living expression of “we stay, we thrive, we remember where we came from.”
For fans, for locals, the message is clear: Puerto Rico matters. Its culture matters. It’s music, language, rhythms, challenges, joys—they’re worth centering. And to have one of the biggest global artists choose to anchor himself there for this run—with no U.S. mainland leg—is a bold statement.
Final Thoughts
If you were there on July 18, you’ll forever remember the night the arena felt like the island itself. If you weren’t, it’s still worth knowing: this was more than a show—it was a heartfelt cultural event, a communal moment, a love letter to home. Watching the setlist switch from house beats to bomba drums to full-on reggaetón party, you were witnessing Puerto Rico’s past, present, and future collide in one stadium.
For me, it reaffirmed belief in what music can do—not just entertain, but connect, remember, uplift, belong. And in the case of Bad Bunny’s residency, “home” was not merely a backdrop—it was the stage.
