WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, NY- My best friend Angelica and I have been fans of the bachata band Aventura since childhood. It had been our dream to see them in concert together after we chased them around the courthouse at 161st one hot summer day. That year (2007) the K.O.B. tour was sold out. Two years later during their last tour we ended up going on separate days to what we though would be Aventura’s final performances together. Who would have thought nine years later our wish would come true? To make that wish better we got to share that experience with another close friend of ours, Andrea.
Aventura reunited in the United Palace located in Washington Heights. It is a beautiful music venue with an antique, Victorian interior design. Since it was my first time at this venue I literally felt as if I walked into a palace. Angie did a great job getting us seats for the concert. Pastellitos and drinks were being sold while a DJ from La Mega entertained the audience. After about a 20-minute wait, Alex Matos came out as the opening act.
Alex Matos is a Dominican salsa musician. He performed a few songs including “Una Noche No Es Bastante” and “Lo Malo Se Va Bailando”. The lighting was too strong during his set. I thought I would need sunglasses to see the rest of the show. Matos set lasted half an hour before he left. The audience waited in anticipation for Aventura.
Aventura arrived on stage to a dope introduction video where their entire career was played in a few seconds. There was so much nostalgia in that one video. The concert opened with “El Desprecio” and heated up from there. Romeo, Henry, Max, and Lenny were together again, and life felt great.
Aventura performed so many of their greatest hits: “Por Un Segundo”, “Los Infieles”, “Su Veneno”, “Hermanita”, “La Tormenta”, “La Boda”, “Angelito”, and “Yo Quisiera Amarla” with Romeo playing the guitar. Romeo and Henry kept their fans involved in every moment inviting them to sing and dance along. Max and Lenny played to their hearts desire each chord and melody on their guitars. Their energy filled the whole venue and the feedback from the fans was euphoric.
Henry got to have his solo moment while Romeo changed outfits. There was a sense of family as the two primos performed “9:15” and “Voy Malacostumbrado” together. The four musicians took a moment to bring romance to the show in honor of Valentine’s Day by arranging R&B versions of “Tu Juegito”, “Our Song”, “La Tormenta”, and “Llorar”. Romeo made one lucky fan happy by giving her a kiss before performing “Un Beso”. Aventura represented every Latin American country, including their native Dominican Republic before Romeo and Henry went at it again with their jokes and playful energy.
Aventura broke out more hits such as “Enseñame A Olvidar”, “Mi Corazóncito”, “Noche de Sexo”, “Mi Niña Cambió”, “El Perdedor”, and “El Malo”. They did a special dedication to their fans by serenading old classics: “Alexandra”, “No Lo Perdona Dios”, “Amor de Madre”, and “Amor Bonito”.
Aventura thanked their fans for the support they have continued to give even after their separation. They all took a bow and walked off the stage. The audience asked for one more song chanting their names. The guys were not going to let them down. They officially closed the concert performing the hit that made them big “Obsesión”. As Andrea, Angie, and I exited the United Palace to head home a sense of nostalgia came over us. This might not be Aventura’s last show together, but it will be a long time before another reunion happens. They made my teenage years entertaining and since day one I been their fan. Aventura changed things in the Latin Music industry and with their reunion they still proved they are K.O.B. (Kings of Bachata). Thanks for a great night, guys!
Photos: Rosa Elena Burgos and Angelica Lopez.
Videos: Rosa Elena Burgos
Last Updated: December 13, 2021