REVIEW: Jowell & Randy light up Musikfest with reggaeton beats, Puerto Rican pride, high-energy

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — For one night at Musikfest, at least, it seemed as if Jowell & Randy were los reyes of Reggaeton.

The Puerto Rican duo, consisting of Joel "Jowell" A. Muñoz and Randy Ortiz Acevedo, on Sunday turned the main Steel Stage into a party filled with sensual overtones, high-energy dancing and Latino pride.

The pair took the stage around 9 p.m., bringing with them sparkly, impressive pyrotechnics, heavy dancehall beats, a deejay and dancers with plenty of perreo pesau moves.

Throughout the night, fans swayed their hips, some bouncing up and down, as couples bumped close together, and Jowell & Randy's fellow boricuas waved their Puerto Rican banderas high in the air.

'The best island in the world'

Jowell & Randy, who formed the group in the early 2000s, opened with their hit "Bonita," the 2017 single featuring Colombian singer J. Balvin.

The 90-minute setlist continued with 2007's "Un Poco Loco," a catchy song that samples the dancehall hit "Murder She Wrote" by Chaka Demus & Pliers.

The two gained more momentum mid-show with other favorites, such as 2012's "El Funeral de La Canoa" and "Chulo Sin H," the title track of the 2013 album and Top 10 on the Latin Albums chart that year.

The audience went crazy (pun intended) when Jowell & Randy performed "Loco," a commercially successful track from 2010's "El Momento," and “No Te Veo,” a 2008 hit they first sang with the supergroup Casa de Leones.

During the performance, Jowell & Randy gave a nod a to their fellow Puerto Ricans and other fans from Spanish-speaking countries.

"Thank you for having us here in Pennsylvania," Jowell said. "We come from a tiny island, from the best island in the world."

Tribute to Marc Anthony

Micaela Hood

/

LehighValleyNews.com

Grammy-award nominated singer Luis Figueroa was the supporting act, and charmed female fans with his winning smile, salsa steps and harmless flirtations.

Those admirations were warranted when he flawlessly sang numbers such as "Bandido," "La Luz" and "Hasta el Sol de Hoy."

Figueroa was joined by a orquestra, who helped his rendition of Marc Anthony's "Valio la Pena" come alive.

Figueroa, a Philadelphia native whose parents are from Aibonito, Puerto Rico, recalled how he met Anthony, a mentor, and one of the maestros of salsa music.

After Figueroa's cover of Anthony's "Flor Pálida" went viral, it caught the attention of the megastar, who signed him to his label, Magnus Media.

Earlier in the night, Nina Dioz, a Mexicana/rap star, opened the show.

Dioz, who identifies as queer, performed an uplifting set consisting of songs including "Mezcal" and "Kamikaze."