There are three simple rules when attending a music festival; attire must be fire, stay hydrated and live in the moment. Seriously, put the phone down when you go to any festival and enjoy the atmosphere. In this case, I didn’t adhere to the rules, I was one of those annoying people on their phone capturing everything so you can live vicariously through this blog. I made the ultimate sacrifice to write this, so you’re welcome.

About the Festival

Now, what is Mala Luna? If you didn’t know, Mala Luna is a music festival held in San Antonio at the Nelson Wolff Stadium. This year was the festival’s fourth year. This year there were new activities, eats, art installations and activations for attendees as well as a Día de los Muertos altar in honor of Mac Miller, Nipsey Hustle and other artists who aren’t with us anymore. 

Festival Art and Activity

Mala Luna had a few spots to pick from for a photo op. There was their classic “Mala Luna” logo, art installations by Nike Soupé, Paul Garson, and Tyler Kay, a Día de los Muertos arch, skulls made out of paper, giant letters spelling “LOVE STREET,” and the Día de los Muertos altar. Entertainers dressed as Día de los Muertos people were supposed to be walking around the grounds entertaining and setting a vibe of the coming holiday but I didn’t spot one on either day. As for games, there was corn hole, giant Jenga and more for people to play. 

Festival Eats

The left side of the field was lined with food vendors, vendors such as Big Daddy’s, Lonestar Foodtruck, Pizza Nova and Torchy’s Tacos. The many vendors were perfect for those who’ve worked up an appetite dancing and jamming. There were just so many choices - we appreciate choices. Though I didn’t get to grub the smells were great. Also, I just want to take a second to give praise to the multiple free refill water stations across the grounds. Very resourceful and adhered to the universal “stay hydrated” rule.

Mala Luna Festival Line Up 2019

The line up this year? Pretty stacked. Performers such as Jessie Reyez, YG, Rick Ross, Megan Thee Stallion, Juice WRLD, and Playboi Carti graced San Antonio with their presence and headliners Russ and Diplo shut it down each night. 

Now that those details are out of the way, here’s a recap on the music day per day. 

DAY 1 - October 26th, Saturday

Once I arrived and set foot on the stadium grounds I felt alive and took in all the good vibes. There’s something that just happens once you enter the grounds of a music festival: it’s like you’re in another world. Mala Luna really promoted a chill vibe with the spacious layout and visuals on each stage saying “Smile and Relax,” honestly I have never to such a chill fest like this.

The Performances

To get it out there now, though all the sets were not on schedule (waiting in the cold was painful), every performer had high energy and a lot of interaction with the crowd to make up for it.

Jessie Reyez was spewing out independence and girl power at the Beat Stage. Summer Walker came on at the American Apparel stage shortly after, opened with her song “Body” and had people twerking. After who knows how much booty shaking, everyone rushed over to the Beat Stage to see the man Rick Ross. By this point, the sun was going down and it was packed; Rick Ross came out blasting hits that we could appreciate such as, “Everyday I’m Hustlin’,” “Purple Lamborghini,” and “All I Do Is Win,” and had the crowd fill in the blanks to lyrics. 

After that, there was a rush back to the American Apparel stage for YG. DJ Vision opened up for YG remixing hits such as “Pure Water” and “Sicko Mode” to get the crowd going. When YG came out he was all about friendship and was super hyped, he opened with his “Stop Snitchin’” song, then had the sky lit up with cell phone flashlights for a Nipsey tribute, switched to his “Thotiana” verses and finally hit the crowd with some “Go Loko,” and I’m telling you - it got loko. YG called out security and then threw a man out of the festival, it was definitely a ‘you had to be there moment’.

Miguel came on the Beat Stage right after YG, so you know the drill, everyone was rushing back to that stage to secure a spot. Miguel had his own energy, wasn’t wild but wasn’t boring, it was smooth. He opened with “Do You Like Drugs,” “Sky Walker” and an oldie “Sure Thing.”

Finally, after Miguel, the crowd trekked back to the American Apparel stage for Russ to cap out the first night. Russ performed songs from his Zoo album and others such as “Do It Myself” and “Yung God.” I’m not sure why a lot of people hate on Russ because this man gave a great performance and had a lot of visuals and got the crowd going despite the cold. He gave San Antonio a lot of love since the fest was his first headliner festival in the U.S. If that’s not a way to end the day I’m not sure what is.

DAY 2 - October 27th, Sunday

Sunday was funday, the weather was beautiful and there were a lot more people than the day prior. But I was prepared to brave the cold just in case. The art and vendors stay the same for the festival duration so there wasn’t much new to see. On Sunday Ari Lennox, Trippie Redd, Megan Thee Stallion, and a couple of others performed.

The Performances

Megan Thee Stallion was at the American Apparel stage and the crowd for her was huge despite her missed set for ACL a few weekends before. She showed up though and came in hot with her song “Sex Talk.” The Houston native was screaming for her state and had high energy, pulling up people on stage to dance while she sang “Simon Says,” then, of course, she hit us with “Hot Girl Summer” and “Cash Shit” which drove the crowd wild.

After Megan, on the same stage was Dababy. Dababy was extremely late; people were moving to the other stage for Ari and Trippie. I didn’t budge though, he finally showed up, and opened with “Suge.” Those who stayed got a good show but I really think artists need to take a time management course. Playboy Carti, who performed at Mala Luna in 2017, then hit the stage after Dababy rapping his hits “Woke Up Like This” and “Shoota.”

Shortly after the move was to the Beat Stage where Juice WRLD drew a huge crowd. Juice WRLD had many visual visuals, smoke cannons and was really loud. He rapped songs such as “Armed And Dangerous” and the “Ransom” remix.

After Juice, everybody flocked to the American Apparel stage to see the headliner Diplo close out the festival. You already know I was front and center for that. Though it got a bit intense to the point where people were throwing candy, shoes (shoes cost like $40, these people were nuts) and water bottles - a man got thrown out by security for hitting someone in the face with one - it was worth being in the line of fire. 

Diplo’s visuals, energy, and smoke cannons were sick. There were multiple mosh pits (I don’t know how I made it out alive) and so many people dancing ridiculously. Diplo dropped his “Revolution,” and then a bunch of remixes of songs such as “Thief,” “Heartless,” and “Body.” I’m not sure what was better though, Diplo’s performance or just the fact that he was wearing a cowboy hat the entire time.

Mala Luna Verdict

Though it got chilly at the end of each night, you can bet that the wait for each performer was totally worth it. The live-action of people getting thrown out and people bonding over hit songs made for a nice balance and entertainment between each set. If you have the opportunity to go to Mala Luna next year, go for it because Mala Luna 2019 is a music festival that San Antonio won’t forget and now we’re left waiting to see if Mala Luna 2020 can top it.

Mirella Gonzales is a senior at UTSA studying PR, digital media and professional writing. Her secret skill is that she is a human shazam!