Ivan Cornejo made history the weekend of May 3-4 as the youngest regional Mexican artist to headline the iconic Radio City Music Hall. The 20-year-old singer-songwriter — known for his heartbreaking sierreño ballads — performed two back-to-back sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall over the weekend as part of his 30-date Mirada Tour Parte 2. A second date was added due to overwhelming demand, further cementing his role as a generational voice for Gen Z Latin fans.
At the start of his hour-and-a-half set Sunday night, Cornejo walked onto the stage wearing a rhinestone-encrusted cardigan, his subtle swagger shining through despite fighting off a cold. Holding a cup of tea for much of the evening, he expressed gratitude to his devoted audience: “Thank you for pulling through with me,” he said to roaring cheers.
The energy in the venue was ecstatic, with fans — mostly teenagers and young adults — filling the historic space to sing every lyric at full volume. Excited fans often chanted “Ivan, Ivan, Ivan!” in between songs, and their fervor was met with Cornejo responding, “New York! New York!”
Throughout his tight, 20-song set, Cornejo delivered fan favorites such as “Está Dañado,” “La Última Vez,” “Dónde Estás” and his newest single “Me Prometí,” which was released just three days prior. Each song showcased his ability to tug at the heartstrings with a signature blend of acoustic melodies, riveting electric guitar solos, and soulful vocals. The show ended on a fiery note with Cornejo’s high-energy rendition of “La Curiosidad,” leaving fans on an emotional high.
Meanwhile, dazzling stage lighting incorporated sunsets, shooting stars and a shimmering starry night, perfectly complementing the moody and emotive tone of his music throughout the night.
While the genre has seen legends such as Vicente Fernández headline Radio City nearly 30 years ago in 1995, such appearances have been rare for regional Mexican artists in the iconic venue. “I feel like it’s a historical and monumental moment,” Anahí Díaz, the booking coordinator at Radio City, tells Billboard Español. “Representation is important. I hope it’s not the first of any.”
As part of his Mirada Tour Parte 2, the artist will continue to bring his unique blend of sad sierreño ballads to audiences across the country before heading to Mexico. Having kicked off the trek at Coachella in April, his tour includes stops at major venues such as the United Center in Chicago, the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, and the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. The 30-date journey will wrap on June 22 in Sacramento, Calif.
Check out the full setlist below from his Radio City Music Hall performance in New York.
