On the evening of October 6, 2025, the usually staid Movistar Arena in Buenos Aires was transformed into a raucous concert hall, echoing with the sound of Argentine rock classics and the chants of thousands of supporters. But this was no ordinary concert—it was Argentine President Javier Milei’s bold attempt to recapture the fervor that swept him to power in 2023. With the crucial October 26 legislative elections looming, Milei took to the stage in a black leather jacket, fronting what he dubbed “La banda presidencial” (The Presidential Band), in a spectacle that blurred the lines between campaign rally, rock show, and book launch.
The event, attended by an estimated 15,000 people, was officially billed as the launch of Milei’s new book, La construcción del milagro (The Construction of the Miracle). Yet, as reported by Colombia One, both organizers and the president himself made it clear that the night’s real purpose was to reignite the enthusiasm of his base and project Milei as an outsider still fighting the entrenched political establishment—what he calls “the caste.”
Milei’s setlist was a tour through Argentina’s musical heritage, opening with the sound of a shofar and a Rolling Stones tune before launching into Charly Garcia’s “Demoliendo hoteles.” He followed with Sandro’s “Dame fuego” and, in a move that delighted the crowd, altered the lyrics of one song to declare, “Soy capitalista, (I’m a capitalist).” The night closed with a stirring rendition of Nino Bravo’s “Libre,” as giant screens flashed apocalyptic imagery and supporters roared their approval.
But the concert was more than just nostalgia and spectacle. As ElCanciller.com noted, Milei used the occasion to address his supporters directly about the challenges facing his administration. “You heard, Kirchnerists won a round, but they did not win the battle,” he declared, a pointed reference to recent setbacks his coalition has faced. The crowd responded in kind, chanting his name and waving Argentine flags.
The president’s political team made no secret of their intentions. According to sources cited by Colombia One, the concert was designed to restore the campaign’s energy and present Milei as a leader still fighting against the “caste” of traditional politics. With polls showing rising disapproval and questions swirling about his government’s ability to manage an economy beset by inflation and fiscal stress, the high-energy event was a calculated move to reframe his message in the campaign’s final weeks.
Yet, the timing of the concert was anything but ideal for Milei. In recent weeks, his coalition, La Libertad Avanza, has suffered a series of political blows. Heavy losses to Peronist candidates in provincial contests have raised doubts about the president’s staying power. The withdrawal of his coalition’s leading Buenos Aires congressional candidate, Jose Luis Espert, dealt another blow. Espert resigned after admitting to receiving a US$200,000 payment in 2019 from a businessman now jailed on narcotics charges and wanted by U.S. authorities—a revelation that sparked fresh controversy and renewed scrutiny of Milei’s political circle.
During the concert, Milei avoided direct mention of Espert’s resignation, but the subtext was clear. Instead, he turned his attention to foreign policy, delivering a passionate endorsement of Israel as “the bastion of the West.” In a striking moment, he led the audience in the celebratory Hebrew song “Hava Nagila,” telling the crowd, “Let’s go, this bothers the left!” as reported by ElCanciller.com. He went on to warn that “terrorists and the left” are aligned in seeking to destroy Western culture, a statement that drew both applause from supporters and criticism from detractors.
The spectacle was not without its critics. Former Buenos Aires provincial Governor Axel Kicillof questioned the wisdom of such an event at a time of mounting economic and political crisis. Meanwhile, Economy Minister Luis Caputo was in Washington, D.C., seeking to expedite a US$20 billion assistance package from the United States—a move the administration says is necessary to stabilize Argentina’s battered economy. The juxtaposition of Milei’s rockstar antics at home and Caputo’s high-stakes negotiations abroad was not lost on observers.
The concert also featured a personal touch, with Milei’s band including close allies and family members—Alberto “Bertie” Benegas Lynch on drums and his brother Joaquin on guitar—alongside political friends and music collaborators. After the performance, Milei briefly left the stage to change, then returned draped in the Argentine flag to formally present his new book and answer questions from his spokesperson. Unlike his previous book, published by a major house at the height of his popularity in 2024, La construcción del milagro is being released by Hojas del Sur, a small press known for republishing works by right-wing ideologues.
While the concert energized many of Milei’s supporters, it also underscored the uncertainty surrounding his administration’s future. With the legislative elections just weeks away, the stakes could hardly be higher. As Colombia One reported, the October 26 vote is shaping up to be a critical test of Milei’s political staying power—one that will determine whether his brand of outsider populism can survive the rough-and-tumble of Argentine politics.
The implications of the election stretch far beyond Argentina’s borders. According to The Australian Financial Review, two of Australia’s largest resources companies, BHP and Rio Tinto, are watching the outcome with keen interest. Both companies are hoping that President Milei will be able to deliver the kind of dramatic economic reforms needed to make investment in Argentina attractive after decades of instability, corruption, and hyperinflation. Rio Tinto, in particular, is counting on reforms to secure returns on its massive investment in Argentina’s lithium prospects. Meanwhile, BHP is racing to develop the country’s copper resources, which are closely linked to its large copper mines across the border in Chile.
For international investors, the promise of a more stable and business-friendly Argentina under Milei is alluring—but far from guaranteed. The legislative elections will determine whether Milei has the political capital to push through his ambitious reform agenda or whether his government will be hamstrung by opposition in Congress. As the world’s eyes turn to Buenos Aires, the outcome could reshape not only Argentina’s economic future but also its role in the global commodities market.
As the final notes of “Libre” faded and supporters filed out into the Buenos Aires night, the question lingered: Can Milei’s blend of rockstar bravado and outsider politics carry him through the coming storm? The answer, it seems, will come soon enough—at the ballot box.