The fourth annual Pepsi X Billboard En Vivo Concert Series kicked off last night at the Bowery Ballroom, featuring MTV VMAs-nominated boy band CNCO and singer Matt Hunter.
The En Vivo series focuses on LatinX artists; this year’s headlining group CNCO will be accompanied by Yashua and Guaynaa during the tour’s next stops in Miami (September 12th) and Los Angeles (September 15th), respectively.
Pepsi X Billboard En Vivo at Bowery Ballroom
New York-born 21 year-old crooner Matt Hunter opened the En Vivo concert series in Lower Manhattan, performing in his hometown for the first time since 2011. Hunter, a R&B singer-songwriter heartthrob, performed wholeheartedly to a swooning audience.
Matt Hunter captivates the audience
Special guest Gashi surprised the crowd for an upbeat performance with Hunter of their collaboration “Problemas,” featuring Big Soto. “He’s not just a rapper,” Hunter said, introducing Gashi as one of his mentors. “He’s a true artist.”
Gashi similarly showed his love for Hunter, comparing his sound to Justin Bieber’s. “He’s been doing this for 15 years, since he was a baby,” Gashi said of Hunter. “He was doing Bieber before Bieber was doing Bieber!”
Gashi (left) and Matt Hunter perform “Problemas”
Following “Problemas,” Hunter performed his hit singles “Una Vez Màs” and “Dicen.” Hunter also performed a ballad written for an ex-girlfriend, beginning the song acoustically so the audience could hear the emotional lyrics. “I might cry,” Hunter revealed after the performance.
Headliner CNCO later took the stage at the intimate Bowery Ballroom, with hordes of loyal fans chanting as the pop group danced, flipped, and grinded. CNCO, comprised of Erick Brian Colon, Joel Pimentel, Christopher Vélez, Zabdiel de Jésus, and Richard Camacho, was formed during Univision’s music competition show, “La Banda.” Fans sang along to most of CNCO’s songs, including “Hey DJ,” “Mamita,” and “Sólo Yo,” exploding with cheers as CNCO premiered their latest single, “Ya tu Sabes.”
CNCO performs to screaming fans
The Latin Grammy-nominated group thanked fans before concluding the show with confetti. Their new EP, “Que Quiénes Somos,” will be released October 11th and is available for pre-sale starting today, August 23rd.
For more information on the Pepsi X Billboard En Vivo Concert Series, visit http://pepsi.microsites.bbthr.com/envivo