BAD GYAL LA JOIA 24 KARATAS TOUR 2024

As you made your way toward LA Live, weaving through the crowd, all you could see were people decked out in sparkly, glittery, and shiny outfits—from skirts and t-shirts to bedazzled jeans—everyone rocking sunglasses. I've always found it fascinating how dedicated fans are to matching an artist's aesthetic for a concert. But of course, in the presence of her majesty, it was no surprise that everyone dressed as shiny as possible for a Bad Gyal concert at The Novo in Los Angeles, California. Bad Gyal had traveled all the way from Spain to perform for her LA fans, and from a mile away, you could easily spot her concertgoers by their flashy outfits and her signature brightly colored sunglasses. It’s not every day that a reggaeton star of this caliber performs in such an intimate venue, and needless to say, we were truly blessed to witness Bad Gyal’s magic on stage.

As I rode up the elevator, I could already feel the energy—people were dancing in the elevator, on the escalators, and even in line, singing along to her hit song “Chulo,” which had gone viral across social media. I’ve been to plenty of reggaeton concerts in LA, and the fans always bring high energy, but something about this one felt different. The crowd was incredibly diverse, with people of all ethnicities and backgrounds, all eager to dance the night away. For a long time, the biggest names in reggaeton have come from Latin America, but Bad Gyal has carved out her own space in the genre, representing Spain in a way that mirrors Rosalía’s impact when she first broke through in the U.S. The same electric energy I felt at Rosalía’s concert was in the air tonight at The Novo. As I stepped inside, I was immediately drawn to the dim pink neon lights, the DJ hyping up the crowd, and people drinking and dancing like they were already at a nightclub. But what really caught my attention was the music. It wasn’t the usual mainstream reggaeton setlist—I consider myself pretty well-versed in reggaeton beyond the hits, and even I was surprised by the deep cuts from Spanish reggaeton artists. The best part? The entire crowd knew every lyric, hyped and ready for Bad Gyal’s arrival.

As the DJ wrapped up her set and cleared the stage, the lights finally went dark. The ambient sound filled the venue, fog began spilling across the stage floor, and with each passing second, the screams grew louder. Then, suddenly, there it was—the iconic BG logo with a shining ring around it, projected on the screen behind the stage. Four dancers stepped onto the stage, kneeling and pointing toward the upper platform. And then, she appeared. Walking down the steps from the back of the stage, Bad Gyal looked as stunning as ever—tall, with her long blonde hair, diamond-studded microphone, shimmering outfit, and, of course, her signature sunglasses. As the fog cleared, she took a slow look around the venue, scanning the crowd from left to right, up and down, before finally grabbing the mic and saying, “Hola, Los Angeles.” A simple phrase, yet it sent the crowd into absolute chaos. The floor shook from the screaming and jumping. It felt like she was taking in the moment, admiring us, her fans, just as we admired her. She leaned into the mic once more and asked, “LA, are you ready to party? Because all of my concerts are parties.” Then, the beat dropped, and the dancers sprang into action as she descended the steps, turning the venue into a full-blown Barcelona nightclub.

As the night went on, she delivered hit after hit, performing fan favorites like “Chulo,” arguably her biggest song to date, “Sexy,” another chart-topper, and even early deep cuts like “Fiebre,” a track she released seven years ago. The energy inside The Novo was unreal—everyone in the venue got exactly what they came for and more. Bad Gyal didn’t just meet expectations; she shattered them. Her vocals were flawless, her stage presence magnetic, and her choreography—especially considering the outfits she was wearing—was nothing short of impressive. I may not have experience dancing in heels, but I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to move the way she did in those towering boots while singing live. Seeing her command the stage so effortlessly made it clear why she’s earned her place in the industry. It was also inspiring to witness her evolution—I've been following her career for a while now, and seeing her reach this level of success felt like a full-circle moment.

As the show came to an end and she said her goodbyes to Los Angeles, the crowd wasn’t ready to let go just yet. Chants for an encore filled the venue, and of course, she delivered, returning to perform “Chulo” one more time. Not only did she give fans exactly what they wanted, but she went above and beyond, making sure everyone left with an unforgettable experience. Though she hails from Spain, she brought together the entire Latino community in LA for one epic night of music and dancing. I honestly never thought I’d have the chance to see Bad Gyal live, but here we were, in Los Angeles, California, at The Novo, witnessing her brilliance firsthand. She’s on the same trajectory as Rosalía, putting Spain on the reggaeton map, and her fan base will only continue to grow as she takes the world by storm. That night, we weren’t just watching an artist perform—we were in the presence of her majesty, and all of Los Angeles would agree.

BAD GYAL CONCERT RECAP VIDEO

Written by: Joseph Hernandez Torrejon Photos Shot by: Joseph Hernandez Torrejon Recap Video Filmed & Edited by: Joseph Hernandez Torrejon