Dani Martín

Some concerts are performances. Others become shared memories the moment they begin. Last night at Roig Arena, Dani Martín delivered exactly that kind of occasion, transforming the Valencia venue into a roaring, emotional and unforgettable celebration of a career that has soundtracked generations.

As part of his “25 pts años” tour, the Madrid star stepped onto the stage in front of more than 16,000 fans for the first of two sold-out nights, and from the opening moments it was clear this would be no ordinary retrospective. This was a victory lap packed with passion, nostalgia, gratitude and the timeless songs that have kept him at the heart of Spanish pop-rock for a quarter of a century.

The setlist wasted no time hitting top gear. A thrilling opening run of El Canto del Loco classics including “Zapatillas,” “Volverá” and “Canciones” sent the crowd into instant overdrive. Thousands of voices sang every line back with full force, turning the arena into one huge choir. It was the kind of start that reminds you just how deeply these songs live in people’s lives.

From there, Dani Martín moved effortlessly between eras, balancing the youthful fire of his band years with the emotional maturity of his solo catalogue. Tracks such as “Desaparece” and “Vuelve” brought introspection and melody, while returns to classics like “Besos,” “Tal como eres,” “Son sueños” and “Puede ser” kept the adrenaline pumping.

That constant movement between past and present was one of the night’s biggest strengths. Rather than feeling like a nostalgia show, the concert felt alive, relevant and full of purpose. Dani Martín proved once again that he connects just as naturally with longtime fans who grew up with him as he does with younger audiences discovering these songs for the first time.

Midway through the set came one of the most powerful stretches of the night, as the tempo dropped and emotion took centre stage. “Cero,” “Emocional” and “Qué bonita la vida” created a deeply moving atmosphere, with the audience hanging on every word. It was a reminder that beyond the hits and singalongs, Dani Martín’s real strength has always been honesty — the ability to turn vulnerability into songs that feel universal.

The newer material also landed strongly. Selections from El último día de nuestras vidas including “Me vuelves puto loco,” “Carpe Diem,” “Novedades viernes” and “Burning Man” showed an artist still pushing forward creatively rather than living in the past. These tracks sat naturally alongside the classics, proof that his catalogue continues to grow rather than simply endure.

Then came another wave of collective euphoria as “La madre de José,” “Volver a disfrutar,” “Una foto en blanco y negro” and “Ya nada volverá a ser como antes” sent the arena soaring once more. Every chorus felt bigger than the last, every lyric carried by thousands.

The closing moments captured the full spirit of the night: celebration, reflection and connection. Solo favourites like “La suerte de mi vida” and “El último día de nuestras vidas” blended seamlessly with essential El Canto del Loco anthems “Peter Pan” and “Insoportable,” giving fans the perfect ending to a show rich in feeling and energy. Roig Arena once again proved itself a first-class stage for major events, but this night belonged entirely to Dani Martín. Warm, charismatic and completely in command, he showed why he remains one of Spain’s most loved live performers.

Twenty-five years in, many artists look backwards. Dani Martín used this concert to do something better — honour the past while proving there is still plenty ahead. Valencia responded the only way it could: with total devotion.

Words and photos: Rhyan Paul