Carlos Vives Winds Through Biggest Hits at Viña Del Mar, Earns Gaviotas de Plata & Oro

After Viña del Mar postponed its Tuesday activities due to a massive blackout in Chile that left most of the country without power, the festival resumed on Wednesday (Feb. 26) with an electrifying performance by Carlos Vives. The Colombian superstar made his grand return to Viña — with his vibrant band La Provincia in tow — for a remarkable fifth time in his 30-year career, and seven years since his last performance there in 2018.

Transporting the Quinta Vergara to his hometown of Santa Marta, Colombia, Vives took the stage shortly after 7:50 p.m. ET and kicked off with the vallenato anthem “Pa’ Mayte,” which of course got the entire audience on their feet. The accordion-powered track, one of Vives’ earliest hits, definitely set the tone for the rest of the set, with the Latin Grammy-winning artist winding through his most iconic songs, including “‘Ella Es Mi Fiesta,” “Fruta Fresca,” “La Gota Fría” and “La Tierra del Olvido.”

“Good night, Viña,” Vives greeted the crowd — most often referred to as the monster for their high standards for festival performers. Looking like a total rockstar and working the entire stage singing, dancing and playing the harmonica, the 63-year-old hitmaker was in awe of the crowd’s embrace. “Where are the people who are going to ride the bike with me tonight? Where are the cumbia dancers?” The bike referencing “La Bicicleta,” his song with Shakira, which he also performed tonight. For that specific song, he joined the crowd, at times dancing alongside fans.

One of the most special moments of the night was when Vives returned to the crowd area to serenade his wife Claudia Elena Vásquez with “Volví a Nacer,” his performance sealed with a passionate kiss. “I want to share with you something very special, this song was composed during a difficult moment of my life,” he prefaced the song. “We all spend difficult nights, but we know that the next day the sun rises. I composed this song for a person at a very special moment and from this song things changed in my life, and I want to dedicate it to everyone because I know that at some point we will all be born again.”

“Thank you Chile, thank you Latin America for these 30 years,” Vives said before the crowd awarded him the Gaviota de Plata. Shortly after, former Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo handed the singer his very own national team jersey — a special gift for the self-proclaimed soccer fan.

In another emotional moment, Vives remembered his compadre Egidio Cuadrado, wishing him a heavenly birthday. His longtime accordionist, who would have turned 72 today, died in October. He went on to sing “Carito,” which they wrote together. During that performance, a little girl dressed in a gorgeous dressed with the colors of the Colombian flag took the stage with Vives and showed off her dance moves, immediately stealing the spotlight.

Right after receiving the Gaviota de Oro, Vives brought out fellow colombiano Sebastián Yatra to sing “Robarte Un Beso.” Yatra returns to the amphitheater on Saturday (March 1) for his own set. Vives closed his riveting set with “Cuando Nos Volvamos a Encontrar.”

“Thank you, Viña,” Vives expressed before leaving the Quinta Vergara stage.

Carín León Roars At Viña

Making his grand debut at Viña, Mexican music star Carín León roared onstage kicking off his set with “Frené Mis Pies,” part of his Boca Chueca, Vol. 1 album. Turning the Quinta Vergara into his very own cantina bar, and wearing an all-black ensemble, with a black tejana, León welcomed the crowd, many dressed in cowboy aesthetic. “Let me hear you, Chile,” he said at the top of his set, which started past midnight. “Dreams come true — cheers! God bless you all.” He followed with “Como Lo Hice Yo” but it was “Me La Aventé” that really got the audience going, singing along at the top of their lungs, cementing not only León’s superstar status but also música mexicana’s global appeal.

As is tradition with regional Mexican artists, León — who in February won his first Grammy — was accompanied by a live band, his is particularly composed of 28 musicians, for his signature banda-norteño sound. At one point, a little boy jumped onstage and was embraced by the singer who gave the starstruck kid a hug. He went on to sing fan-favorites “Cuando La Vida Sea Trago,” “Despídase Bien,” “Te Lo Agradezco” and “No Es Por Acá.” After being awarded with the Gaviota de Plata, León performed some of his biggest collaborations, including “El Tóxico,” “Ojos Cerrados,” “Una Vida Pasada” and “Que Vuelvas.” León couldn’t leave Viña without performing the energetic “La Boda del Huitlacoche” but it was with “Según Quién” that he closed his nearly one-hour set. The Mexican artist also left with a Gaviota de Oro.

On Thursday (Feb. 27), Viña will continue with Incubus, Juan Carlos López and The Cult; Feb. 28, urban night, with headliner Duki, Eladio Carrión and Kid Voodoo; and, rescheduled from Tuesday night, on March 1 Colombia’s Morat and Sebastián Yatra will close out this year’s edition of Viña del Mar.