J Balvin performs at SAP Center in San Jose on May 10, 2025. Derek Fisher/STAFF.

SAN JOSE — Reggaeton star J Balvin brought his Back to the Rayo Tour to SAP Center on Saturday, performing in the Bay Area for the first time in nearly six years.

The two-hour, 40-song set pulled from throughout his songbook, rather than focusing mostly on his most recent release, 2024’s RAYO. He included mainstream singles, cult favorites from his earlier years, features for other artists and even some other covers of Latino acts. All in all, J Balvin made it a party all around.

The newer songs came first. A metallic 1997 Volkswagen Pointer (made specifically for South America) pulled onto the stage and out popped J Balvin. He kicked right into “Doblexxó” (“double x’s”), blending reggaeton with synth-pop while Colombian artist Feid’s background track accompanied the performance.

After introducing the genre’s beat with “Reggaeton,” he turned to 2020 album Colores with with the uptempo “Amarillo” (“yellow”). Each of the album’s color-themed songs introduced a new lighting hue to the arena. “Morado” (“purple”) offered a slower beat, while many in the audience joined the star and his dance crew in the viral TikTok dance to “Azul” (“blue”).

After pausing to admire the cheers, J Balvin got to EDM-flavored “Loco Contigo” (“crazy with you”) and “Con Altura” (“up high”), a collab with Spanish artist Rosalía, on which he displayed his rap skills.

J Balvin performs at SAP Center in San Jose on May 10, 2025.

“Blanco” (“white”), a rhythmic dance song, was followed by “6 AM,” from 2013 debut album La Familia. The performance blended reggaeton and hip-hop effortlessly. “Ay Vamos” (“we’ll see”) allowed J Balvin to slow slow the pace and sing a bit. He didn’t stay in neutral for long, however.

He looked to his 2016 sophomore album, Energía, with the Pharrell-produced “Safari,” which offered hints of dancehall supporting the reggaeton sound. “Ginza” added electronic tones.

Collaborations with Puerto Rican duo Zion & Lennox were highlighted with “Otra vez” (“again”) and “No Es Justo” (“it’s not fair”). The former had J Balvin rapping and harmonizing to a mix of pop and reggaeton. The latter stuck to a reggaeton sound as well, but had an acoustic flair.

He continued showing off how he blends his influences on “Bonita” and “Polvo de tu Vida” (“dust of your life”). While the former is an older song and the latter from the most recent album, both represent the sound on which J Balvin has built his music, bringing a modern sound to a classic genre.

The Colombian native showed love to his home country by dancing salsa to the music of Colombian band Fruko y sus Tesos,  Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie,” Karol G’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” and Maluma and Carin Leon’s “Según Quién” (“according to whom”).

A shortened six-song medley included bits of “Qué Pretendes” (“what do you intend?”) and “Como un Bebé” (“like a baby”), two songs from Oasis, a collaborative album with Puerto Rican Bad Bunny. There was also “Baila Baila Baila” (“dance dance dance”) and “Quiero Repetir” (“I want to repeat”), a collab with Puerto Rican artist Ouna

Picking up the tempo, J Balvin got to newly released single “KLK.” The song was led by a very danceable merengue beat. The following “X” was carried by a synth-trumpet hook. Balvin finished this act with Cardi B’s “I Like It,” which blended Latin trap and salsa, rapping over her pre-recorded vocals.

On a platform pushed to the middle of the stage, a cable rose and inflated a giant version of the artists’s head, while two hands inflated by the soundboard to mimic a prayer-like pose. J Balvin emerged near the hands for somber heartbreak ballad “La Canción” (“the song”). The inflatable hands moved to a 45-degree position for “Rojo” (“red”). He harmonized soulfully to a mid-tempo beat while getting attendees to either clap or shine their phone lights.

J Balvin performs at SAP Center in San Jose on May 10, 2025.

The Latin trap beat returned for “Ahora Dice” (“now he says”). On the bass-laden “Rio” (“river), J Balvin showed off his vocal range while tossing flowers into the crowd. That was followed by some audience participation to determine which parts of the room were loudest. He was handed a phone with a decibel-reading app, eventually announcing the room got up to 113 decibels, as loud as a chain saw from three feet away.

Following “Downtown” (with Brazilian singer Anitta) and David Guetta collab “Say My Name,” Balvin arrived at “Qué Más Pues?” (“what else then?”) from 2021’s Jose. He walked back to the main stage as he transitioned to a blend of Afrobeat and Latin sounds of “I Adore You.”

“Mi Gente” (“my people”) blended reggaeton, electronica and dancehall and gave him a smooth flow over which to rap. After a quick outfit change, one of several on the night, he reappeared for “RITMO.” His dancers appeared in “Transformers”-like costumes recalling that of the Black Eyed Peas from more than a decade ago. Not surprising, since that group was involved in the song.

J Balvin closed out the show with “Que Calor” (“how hot”), mixing cumbia with dancehall, and “In Da Getto,” one of his biggest hits in the U.S.

Dominican artist La Gabi opened the show with a 25-minute set of songs that blended R&B with reggaeton, while also more specifically to her country’s culture.

The danceable “YOYO” and sensual “Colalé” highlighted the Dominican influence in La Gabi’s form of reggaeton. “LUCKY” had a bit of a dancehall vibe, where La Gabi rapped and harmonized to the R&B-influenced track. Whether show slowed the pace or raced ahead, her voice stood front and center.

Follow photographer Derek Fisher at Instagram.com/dfishswish.