Under the rain, the ritual returned: Rock al Parque 2025 continues to hold strong despite low attendance.

The rain returned, and with it, the ritual. On the second day of Rock al Parque 2025, the weather seemed to remind us that this festival wouldn't be the same without overcast skies, plastic capes, and pogos in the downpour. Sunday was an intense day, with 18 local and international acts , amid a diverse atmosphere that brought together everything from Mexican ska to Argentine reggae, introspective indie, psychedelic pop, and performance theater disguised as rock.

Despite the change of date—this year brought forward to June—attendance was down compared to 2024: more than 120,000 people between Saturday and Sunday, compared to 160,000 at the previous edition. Still, the sound was clearer, the opening hours were more punctual, and the new screens distributed throughout the park offered a better viewing experience in several areas.

One of the most striking moments of the day took place on the Eco Stage with Descartes to Kant, a Mexican group that has spent years consolidating a musical and performance approach that seems straight out of a retro-futuristic film.

Dressed in blue jumpsuits, the quartet appeared in front of a computer emulating psychedelic cartoons, while mixing industrial sounds, synthesizers, and screams in English. The rain didn't stop them: a small group of faithful remained firm under the tent , jumping and absorbing the band's every theatrical beat.

Songs like "Surround Me" generated the first mosh pits on stage, while the visual show broke with any traditional notion of live rock. The performance was a clear demonstration that Rock al Parque continues to be a place for experimentation.

An hour earlier, Los de Abajo lit up the Plaza Stage with their usual mix of ska, cumbia, salsa, and street energy. Founded in Mexico City in 1992, they now have eight members and an expanded sound that got a good portion of the audience dancing, resisting the rain.

With wrestling outfits, agitated trumpet players, and two percussion groups that gave no respite, songs like "Este bacilón" and "Vamos cantando" played, while Tania Melo, vocalist with bright red lips, shouted "And up Juárez!" between verses of "Mentirosa, traicionera."

One of the most special moments was when they dedicated "Red Lips" to women throughout history. Several responded with an improvised female pogo under the rain.

On the Bio Stage, Apolo 7, a district group with influences close to Colombian pop-punk, ignited the spirits with "No puedo entender" (I Can't Understand), which forced the cell phone flashlights to shine while the audience , wet but firm, chanted "how to forget that I can't heal..."

Later, at 7:06 p.m., El Mató a un Policía Motorizado took over. The Argentine indie band conquered the stage with rhythmic melancholy, clean guitars , and lyrics floating between red and blue lights.

They opened with "Saturday," from their self-titled album, and moved on to songs like "Broken Diamond," "The Treasure," "Gold Medal," and "So Many Good Things," all of which were enthusiastically received by a packed audience, despite the weather. It wasn't until the end, with "My Next Move," that the crowd finally broke free to dance in the rain.

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With nightfall already upon us and the rain at its heaviest, Los Cafres took to the Plaza Stage shortly after 8:00 pm to close out the evening. Guillermo Bonetto, wearing a black jacket and green scarf, began with "La naturaleza" (Nature) , while the rain trickled down the tents where the audience had gathered.

Classics like "Viento," "Suena la alarma," "Aire," and "Tus ojos" followed, with which Bonetto attempted to move the crowds, who sang along stiffly from their shelters. It didn't matter: the emotional connection remained intact, and the Argentine reggae flowed.

Perhaps it's fair to say that the lineup didn't meet the standards of previous years in terms of guests, but the second day of Rock al Parque 2025 demonstrated that the festival's spirit remains strong, even with fewer attendees than in previous years.

This Monday, an attendance of nearly 80,000 people is expected for the closing of the festival, which will be led by the Uruguayan group El Cuarteto de Nos.

Juan José Ríos - ADN Editorial Staff