Marc Anthony Launches 2025 Viña del Mar Festival with ‘No Place Like Chile’

Marc Anthony performed at the 64th Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Vina del Mar, Chile on February 23, 2025.

Español: Marc Anthony officially kicked off the 2025 Viña del Mar International Song Festival on Sunday (February 23) at the Quinta Vergara Amphitheater in Vina del Mar. His performance lasted more than an hour and began at 7:55 p.m. ET, with him performing “Pa’alla Voy”. Anthony then played some of his early 2000s hits such as “Valío La Pena,” “Y Hubo Alguien” and “Volando Entre Tus Brazos.”

“How cool!” Anthony murmured in the mic, acknowledging the packed venue of 15,000 fans singing along. He expressed his gratitude to the crowd which included model Nadia Ferreira in attendance.

This is Marc’s fourth time performing at this festival after previous appearances in 2009, 2012 and 2019. Following that, he performed four back-to-back covers of timeless songs: Polo Montañez’s “Flor Pálida,” Juan Gabriel’s “Abrazame Muy Fuerte,” José José’s “Almohada” and José Luis Perales’ “¿Y Cómo es El?”

After the romantic set, Anthony encouraged the audience saying “How exciting, but do you want salsa? Let’s go!” He continued with “Que Precio Tiene el Cielo.” The event’s co-hosts, Karen Doggenweiler and Rafael Araneda joined him on stage. “This quinta [venue] sings, dances and enjoys your music!” said Araneda as the audience performed a popular flying seagull hand gesture to give Anthony a trophy.

The week-long festival features local and international artists who compete for either a silver torch or golden torch. On this year’s opening night on Sunday, Marc received both coveted gaviota trophies before concluding with salsa hits “Mala,” “Te Conozco Bien,” “Tu Amor Me Hace Bien” and “Vivir Mi Vida.”

Each night of Viña del Mar, which is now Chile’s highest-rated television show, showcases a headliner, supporting artist, comedian and artists in folk and pop categories. On this opening day on Sunday, Morat also performed as the main act followed by Sebastian Yatra.

About two hours after Marc’s set, Colombian tropipop group Bacilos took center stage to perform for their Chilean fans – marking a grand return to Viña del Mar after 18 years. They began with nostalgic songs like “Tabaco y Chanel” and continued with “Perderme Contigo,” followed by “Pasos de Gigantes”. Frontman Jorge Villamizar performed his version of Luis Enrique’s salsa hit, “Yo No Se Mañana”, because it is one of the favorite co-written tracks he did for that Nicaraguan artist.

Then Bacilos gave their Billboard hit “Mi Primer Millón” a punk twist inspired by Chilean rock band Los Prisioneros. Araneda praised them before awarding them with the silver gaviota trophy, saying “The public danced and rediscovered wonderful songs.” Villamizar thanked them for being in this neighborhood of Chile, Viña del Mar.

Viña will continue Monday (February 24) with performances by headliner Myriam Hernández and sibling duo Ha*Ash; February 25 with Morat’s performance alongside Sebastian Yatra; February 26 featuring Carlos Vives as the main act along with Carín León; February 27 showcasing Incubus, Juan Carlos López, and The Cult acts; and on Sunday (February 28) during urban night events including headliners Duki, Eladio Carrión and Kid Voodoo.