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Bad Bunny’s ‘No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí’ Residency: What to Expect (and What Not To)
When Bad Bunny announced his residency in Puerto Rico titled No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí, it echoed as an act of love for his homeland and also as a declaration of principles. At a time when many Latin artists prioritize the U.S. market, he chooses to stay, return, and look inward. “It’s unnecessary,” he said regarding the decision not to include the United States in his upcoming tour, adding that fans in this country have already had plenty of opportunities to see him live over the past six years.
This residency, running from July 11 to September 14 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, is not just a series of shows. It is a cultural, emotional, and social experience that reaffirms his Puerto Rican identity.
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In a recent interview with Variety, Bad Bunny made it clear: this won’t be “the Eras Tour.” “First of all, I’m not Taylor Swift,” he said with a laugh. I want to clear that up now so people don’t get overly excited: it’s not going to be organized that way. It’s still very much a DeBÍ tour, with some older songs included,” he added.
And while his words were a heads-up for fans expecting a comprehensive run-through of his entire discography, they also hinted at something deeper: this show is personal, introspective, and locally focused.
“Before the residency, my dream for a long time was to hold a massive, free concert in Puerto Rico, just for the locals. If it were up to me, all concerts for locals would be free, but what we have planned now is on another level (…) Puerto Rico isn’t always paradise. But it’s also a place that demands the resilience to say, ‘I don’t want to leave, and nobody can make me.’ That phrase comes from pride, pain, and love. It’s a love letter to who I am, to my people,” he confessed.
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A Comprehensive Puerto Rican Experience
Everything in the residency has been designed to celebrate and amplify Puerto Rican culture. From the tourist maps that will be handed out to attendees to the hiring of over 1,000 local workers, the event is a tribute to Puerto Rico. The food offerings include bacalaítos, empanadillas, and other typical dishes. Plus, the first nine shows are reserved exclusively for residents, who will need to show proof of address.
The show will focus on Debí Tirar Más Fotos, his latest album. This album is like a time capsule blending plena, salsa, jibaro music, and reggaetonn, and it serves as a mirror of Puerto Rican nostalgia and identity. The setlist will include some older songs, but it won’t be a retrospective collection. The concerts will be shorter than his previous tours, lasting between an hour and a half and two hours, to conserve the artist’s energy over the 30 dates.
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The economic impact is undeniable: over 400,000 tickets sold, 700,000 people registered for pre-sale, and an estimated two-thirds of the attendees coming from abroad. In a country struck by hurricanes and austerity policies, Bad Bunny’s residency is also a driving force for recovery.
The residency might also include special versions of his songs as well as surprise local guests that have appeared in his album, including Puerto Rican musicians that might also play live. The event is also conceived as a celebration of the Puerto Rican diaspora and the Latinx communities represented by Bad Bunny.
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A Political and Emotional Gesture
With this residency, Bad Bunny is making a stand. Against displacement, gentrification, and neglect, he chooses to stay. Not as a resignation, but as an act of resistance. His music, his stage design, his menu, and his message all come together in a single narrative: Puerto Rico isn’t just a place. It’s a principle. A reason. A reason not to leave.
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