Aventura, the timeless bachata group, takes over L.A. on their farewell tour

“Cerrando Ciclos,” or “Closing of a Cycle,” was the title of Aventura’s reuniting tour, which made its Los Angeles stop with two sold-out shows at the Crypto Arena.

The Kings of Bachata, as they are famously known, officially reunited on stage for the first time in years and the Latino community of Southern California gathered. on May 4 and 5 for what they said will be the last time they would come together. 

Sunday’s concert began exactly at 9 p.m. with the “Cerrando Ciclos” video, where a vintage chest opened up with photos and memorabilia from throughout the band’s career. Moments after Aventura, including its main singer, Romeo Santos, took the stage in front of thousands of fans and spectators. 

The timeless, intergenerational bachata group, which throughout the years has reached Latinos of all ages, sang their best-known hits such as “Obsesión,” Por Un Segundo,” “Un Beso,” and my personal favorite, “El Perdedor.” A long-awaited song that the group did not sing was “Ella y Yo," the second single from their fourth studio album, “God's Project,” which features reggaetón singer Don Omar.

Since its formation in 1993, Aventura has been one of the most influential Latino groups worldwide. 

Formerly known as Los Tinellers, the bachata group formed in the Bronx, New York, with the four original members consisting of Romeo Santos, Henry Santos, Lenny Santos (Len Melody) and Max Santos (Max Agende). All members are of Dominican descent and Romeo is also half Puerto Rican on his mother's side.

In their earlier years, the group would perform for their neighbors, at parties, local stores and in the streets. They released their first album in 1996, titled “Trampa de Amor,“ which sold less than 20 copies worldwide. 

They were one of the first bachata groups to sing and write their love, despair and heartbreak songs in Spanglish. Aventura split up back in 2011, a heartbreaking decision for fans. Shortly after, Romeo Santos decided to pursue his solo career.

“¡Latinos presente!” and “¡Viva los Latinos” were just some of exclamations bys Santos throughout the two-hour concert to show appreciation for the majority of Latino attendees on Sunday. 

Aventura also made various references to the Cinco de Mayo holiday, which marks the anniversary of the 1862 victory by Mexican troops over invading French forces at the Battle of Puebla, that Latinos in the U.S. celebrate more than Mexico does. “¡Que viva Mexico!” Romeo Santos said and thanked those in attendance for deciding to spend the holiday at the band's concert. “Thank you for coming out today on Cinco de Mayo,“ he added.

The “Cerrando Ciclos,” tour was announced earlier this year on Tuesday, February 27. 

“This year, there is something I must accomplish and conclude,” Santos said in a press statement. “I want you to join me on a journey where I will be definitively closing cycles. Because it is not the same to remember beautiful times as it is to be a prisoner of the past,” Romeo Santos said in the statement. “We cannot stagnate in the nostalgia of yesterday, but rather move forward, discover new horizons, and show other facets.” 

The tour, which officially began on May 1 in Sacramento, comes to an end in the U.S. in Dallas on June 11, with two additional dates in Canada.

In the last hour of the concert, the group made its way to the second stage in the arena, where they sang a couple more songs and most impressively, invited two women from the audience to sing with them the song of their choosing.  

Whether you have a ticket secured already, you’re getting them at resale value, or, like me, you waited till the last minute and obtained a ticket from a seller on Offer Up, it is worth going. It is worth every penny to see Aventura, for what is most likely their last time on a big stage.