Colombian singers Karol G, Sebastian Yatra and Maluma joined Spanish singer Miguel Bose and dozens of other artists at a benefit concert in Bogota on Sunday that raised more than 11.19 billion pesos (about 3.6 million dollars) for victims of the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10.
Salsa, reggaeton, vallenato and pop mixed on stage as more than 30 performers took part, including Andres Cepeda, Eladio Carrion, Greeicy and Grupo Niche.
The concert was held at the Vive Claro venue in Bogota. Despite intense afternoon sun, thousands of attendees stayed to enjoy the music, some wrapped in blankets and hoods to shield themselves from the heat while the kites that traditionally fill the August sky over the Colombian capital flew overhead. Others wore Colombian national team jerseys or hats as they took in the different musical styles on the bill.
Bose's emotional appearance
One of the most emotional moments came when Miguel Bose took the stage and the crowd sang along to his song "Te amare." The Spanish singer also performed "Morena mia" and "Nada particular" before addressing the audience.
Bose said they were there to help Colombia rebuild what had been lost, and that they were there to do something important.
Yatra's tribute to the victims
Sebastian Yatra provided another standout moment of the day when the crowd lit up their phone lights, which the singer said were meant to represent the souls of those who are no longer here, a reference to those killed in the earthquake. Official figures put the death toll at 329.
The singer, who is from Medellin, mixed slower ballads with more upbeat songs including "Tacones rojos," "Amen" and "Vagabundo."
Karol G donates $1 million
Karol G joined the concert by livestream from Los Angeles, performing songs including "Milagros" and "Si antes te hubiera conocido" to send a message of hope to Colombians.
She said it was the most beautiful thing she had seen from her country. Through her Con Cora foundation, Karol G donated one million dollars to those affected by the earthquake, which was centered in the department of Choco and also affected the regions of Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Caldas and Quindio.
Vallenato star Silvestre Dangond dedicated words of love for his country during what he called such a difficult moment, and got the crowd on its feet with songs including "Casate conmigo," "Las locuras mias," "Niegame tres veces" and "Ya no me duele mas."
Fans turn out to support victims
Among those in the crowd was Veronica, a healthcare professional originally from Puerto Rico who has lived on Colombia's Caribbean coast for more than two decades and has two Colombian children. She said that as a health professional she felt the need to join the voices of her favorite singers to support the earthquake's victims.
She said that even when the ground shakes, faith endures.
Maluma performed "Tu me partiste el corazon" and "Eres el amor de mi vida," telling the crowd they had gathered for a very beautiful cause: to help lift up their country. He said they could not undo the deaths, but that they were there to help the families affected.
Irina, a Bogota native who traveled from Madrid to attend the concert and see her favorite singer, said people needed to support each other however they could, and that it was very valuable that Miguel Bose had helped simply by being there.
