Monterrey.- The second day of the Pa’l Norte 2025 festival, held on Saturday, April 5, at Parque Fundidora in Monterrey, concluded with an unforgettable day packed with stellar performances, unexpected emotions, and heartfelt tributes. Justin Timberlake closed the night on the Tecate Light stage with a high-energy show filled with hits and charisma. From "Mirrors" to "Can’t Stop the Feeling!", the American artist reconnected with his Mexican audience in a performance that ignited the festival's spirit.
Earlier in the day, Fall Out Boy energized the crowd with their pop-punk classics, while Caifanes brought a dose of nostalgia and national rock to thousands of attendees. Emerging pop star Benson Boone also captivated the audience with his powerful voice and youthful charm.
One of the most emotional moments of the day was the tribute to Selena Quintanilla, marking 30 years since her death. Led by A.B. Quintanilla, the tribute featured performances by Belanova, Ximena Sariñana, and Matisse, stirring deep emotions among attendees who sang along to hits like "Como la flor" and "Amor prohibido." The musical surprise struck a chord with the audience, many of whom were visibly moved.
Surprise appearances also marked the day, including Spanish singer David Bisbal, who energized the crowd with his vibrant performance. Reggaeton artist El Malilla sought redemption in front of thousands of fans after his recent show at Lollapalooza Chile, while Matisse delivered an engaging and lively set.
As the festival gears up for its final day on Sunday, April 6, attendees can look forward to performances by Olivia Rodrigo, Kings of Leon, Charli XCX, Garbage, and Capital Cities, among many others.
The Tecate ‘Pa’l Norte’ festival kicked off on Friday, April 4, 2025, in Nuevo León, with an anticipated attendance exceeding 300,000 over its three-day run. This year, the festival expanded to 42 hectares of Parque Fundidora for its thirteenth edition, featuring eight stages and 165 performances from various artists.
Among the lineup are prominent Latino acts such as the Argentine rock band Caligaris, Mexican singer Edén Muñoz, Colombian Juanes, Chilean Mon Laferte, Argentine Nathy Peluso, Puerto Rican Kany García, the Mexican group El Tri, and Caifanes. Additionally, international stars like Green Day, Justin Timberlake, Olivia Rodrigo, Foster the People, Garbage, and the K-pop group Seventeen are also part of the festival.
Despite soaring temperatures reaching up to 38 degrees Celsius on the first day, the crowd remained undeterred, arriving early to the venue clad in vibrant outfits, including glimmering textures, feathers, and shorts. Natalia Cantú, who traveled from Mexico City with a group of friends to attend all three days, expressed surprise at the heat. "This is an oven, we’re close to 40 degrees, but the forecast says temperatures will drop for Saturday and Sunday, which is great because we’re cooking here," said the 23-year-old.
Due to the distances between stages, attendees found themselves practically sprinting to catch their favorite artists. However, the heat took its toll, with reports of two young individuals receiving medical attention after fainting during Little Jesus' performance on Friday.
The festival, which has been held in Nuevo León since 2012, has become one of the most significant events in Latin America. The first ‘Pa’l Norte’ took place 12 years ago at Parque Rufino Tamayo in the municipality of San Pedro Garza García, adjacent to Monterrey. Since 2014, the event has been hosted at Parque Fundidora, located on the grounds of the former Fundidora and Fierro y Acero de Monterrey company, which closed in 1986.
As the festival continued on Saturday, April 5, 2025, the gates opened at 14:00 hrs Central Mexico Time, with performances starting around 15:00 hrs. The various stages included Tecate Light, Tecate Original, Fusión Telcel, Sorpresa, Oasis Bacardí, Club Social KIA, Acústico, Villa Maravilla, and Hotnut's Pilo's.
The schedule for the Tecate Light stage featured artists such as Insite at 14:50 hrs, Motel at 15:50 hrs, División Minúscula at 17:05 hrs, Claptone at 18:25 hrs, Caifanes at 20:05 hrs, Fall Out Boy at 21:55 hrs, and Justin Timberlake at 00:00 hrs.
At the Tecate Original stage, performances included Dorian at 15:35 hrs, El Malilla at 16:45 hrs, Alex Lora y el Tri at 18:05 hrs, Foster the People at 19:45 hrs, Benson Boone at 21:35 hrs, and Codiciado at 23:35 hrs.
Other stages had their own impressive lineups, ensuring a diverse and exciting experience for festival-goers. However, the festival also faced challenges, as five cell phone thefts were reported on the first day, prompting authorities to increase security measures.
Road closures around Parque Fundidora were in effect until 2:00 AM on Sunday, April 6, 2025, as part of the security operations ensuring the safety of the attendees. The festival's vibrant atmosphere, combined with its rich lineup and heartfelt tributes, continues to make Pa’l Norte a landmark event in the music calendar.
