The Venezuelan singer-songwriter Danny Ocean has managed to bring Madrid and Caracas closer for a few hours. “Today we came to hesitate guys, to leave our problems behind for a while,” the artist promised the 16,000 spectators who were waiting for him at the Movistar Arena this Wednesday. And he encouraged: “We came to celebrate, you know why. Be free tonight.” This Thursday he will give his second performance, both dates with sold out tickets. Born in Caracas 33 years ago, Daniel Alejandro Morales Reyes is presenting his latest album, Babylon Club (2025), with a European tour. Before, he stopped by Oslo (Norway) to sing at the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony to the leader of the opposition to the Chavista regime, María Corina Machado. The concert in the Spanish capital was an evening of enjoyment and connection for the diaspora in times of uncertainty.
Minutes before, hundreds of people arrived at the stadium with bandanas on their heads, the flagship dress code, some wearing t-shirts from the vinotinto, the national soccer team. Friends Laurys Farguell and Kimberly Blanco, who left Venezuela four years ago, commented: “We are excited to feel close,” “There are going to be a lot of tears today.” Nearly 600,000 of your compatriots live in Spain, almost half of them in Madrid.
Alexander Barrios displayed his flag in the line: “Danny Ocean has already become a national symbol of joy, so we come here to support him for all his support as well.” The 52-year-old man, who has lived in Madrid for five years, stood out about the artist: “He is the reflection of that Venezuela that was expelled from the country and that survived and overcame. Look what he is going to fill today and he started by putting a video on YouTube.”
That first topic was Must be rehúsowhich he released independently and which talks about the pain of saying goodbye to his girlfriend after leaving his country. It was an international success, so famous that he recorded an English version. If there was a podium or hall of fame, I would accompany there Slowlyby Luis Fonsi. In keeping with the nostalgic trend of sharing photos and memories of 2016, it is 10 years since that song. With its chorus to sing at the top of your lungs, it was the theme of the summer and spent months leading the rankings. Since that hitDanny Ocean has recorded five albums and has performed four times in Spain.
Dressed in an orange, blue and violet beach shirt with drawings of palm trees, yellow-lens glasses and a black bandana, tonight he decided to bring the flavor of the Caribbean to the middle of winter. reggaeton, dancehall, pop Latin. An inflatable sun-shaped balloon hung above him when he opened it with Imaginethe most famous song from the last album, accompanied by his band.
On the screens in the background the waves came and went, while he alternated songs from his different albums: Amor, Swing, Monaco, Heart y Binikini, that he recorded with Rawayana, the other prominent local urban artist of his generation. His collaborations also include Alejando Sanz, Karol G and Aitana. Some English words slip into all of them. From the school of Dua Lipa and Freddie Mercury, he played with the microphone stand and walked it around the stage. He also had time to versions of Hey my loveof Manna, and My pretty girl, by Chino and Nacho.
Meanwhile, the sun was setting on the beach behind them. with the ballad Ferrariopened the most romantic block of the night. Only the keyboard and his raspy voice sounded. The flashlights of the cell phones illuminated and the couples took the opportunity to get closer. Later, it was the turn of those at the back of the track. And they were lucky. Ocean appeared on a square stage and performed Dembow y Out of the marketone of the most applauded.
The camera followed him backstage and filmed him while he puffed on a cigarette, until the American-Venezuelan singer Elena Rose appeared in the frame. The stadium shook. The audience went crazy before the first guest, who went up to the stage to do Caracas in 2000 and he said goodbye saying: “May God bless you and may the next concert be in Venezuela.” The second to join was the Costa Rican Sech, who also left his message: “I love you, keep fighting.”
Katy Marcano and Laureny Coronado, 36-year-old best friends who have lived in Madrid for more than seven, were enjoying themselves in the stands. “What better way to come to celebrate that Maduro has fallen than with Danny Ocean,” said Coronado and her friend added: “He is one of the people who is leading the charge of Venezuelan talent and has done an incredible job in the urban scene, I think he is leaving us very high.” He is the most listened to national musician on Spotify and dedicates many pieces to his land.
After saying goodbye to his guests, Danny Ocean once again referred to the political context: “How crazy everything we have experienced this January. I have faith that we are closer than ever to being able to go home, I know there is a lot of uncertainty, but do me the favor and keep that faith high.” Thus it gave way to Crayolaa sauce in honor of the colors of its flag. Couples, families and friends were photographed dancing where the beach used to be. The last chorus of those two hours was sung all together, a capella. It was the one of Must be rehúso. They sang it with the stadium lights on, illuminating the audience, the true protagonist of this party.