Por: Patti Reyes
IG Account: @lapattireyes
Nuevo Nayarit, Mexico.- Seeing Lionel Richie at Vidanta World on December 11th felt like opening a time capsule straight into my teenage years. The music carried me back to the 1984 Olympic Games, to a living room where I sang along with my dad, who deeply loved Lionel’s songs. My father passed away during the 2020 pandemic, and standing there with his brother—my uncle Rubén—beside me, it felt as if my dad was right there too, sharing the night, smiling through every lyric.
From the moment we arrived at Vidanta World, the experience already felt historic. Employees welcomed people from Mexico, Canada, the USA, and South America with genuine warmth. Wheelchairs, buses, and vans moved the crowds seamlessly toward the venue. You could see it on people’s faces—pure joy. For many, this concert was a lifelong dream. Some never imagined they would see Lionel Richie live, because when they were young, tickets were unaffordable, or distance and small-town life made it impossible.
The concert itself was brilliant from start to finish. An hour and a half that somehow felt like a single heartbeat. I missed hearing the crowd shout “¡Otra, otra!”, but the setlist was perfection. When the opening notes of “Hello”—the third single from Can’t Slow Down (1983)—filled the air, people screamed at the top of their lungs. That was the exact moment we all knew: this night would be unforgettable.
Then Lionel casually mentioned that Paula Abdul was in the audience, and the crowd exploded. It felt like history folding in on itself—icons acknowledging icons. The energy kept rising, song after song, until “Brick House” quite literally set the venue on fire, reminding everyone of the unstoppable force of the Commodores era.
When the first notes of “Endless Love” played, I was instantly transported back to 1981. I was 13 years old, walking into La Caja Mágica, the tiny movie theater in my hometown. I already knew the song—that’s why I went to see the movie. That memory exists because of my dad and his side of the family. Thanks to them, I learned to love music. Thanks to them, Lionel Richie’s songs live inside me.
“Endless Love” marked a turning point in music history. Released while Lionel was still part of the Commodores, its success propelled him into a solo career that would define generations. Songs like “Truly,” “Easy,” “Three Times a Lady,” “Still,” and even “Lady” for Kenny Rogers shaped the soundtrack of countless lives—including mine.
The night reached its peak with “All Night Long”, a song forever tied to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, where it united billions across the globe. Under the stars, at Vidanta’s outdoor venue, everything aligned. Lionel Richie was the star, the night was the stage, and everyone present became part of history. Vidanta World was the perfect place for it—and those of us who were there will carry that night forever.
Vidanta World Concert Series isn’t just a venue—it’s an experience under the stars, where music, memories, and world-class production come together. From the flawless organization to the magic of sharing timeless songs with people from all over the world, this is where history happens live.
If you love music, moments that stay with you forever, and concerts that feel larger than life… go see what’s coming next.
Follow and explore: @vidantaworldconcertseries
#VidantaWorld #VidantaConcerts #UnderTheStars #LiveMusicMagic #ConcertExperience #MusicThatUnites #BucketListMoments
