BOSTON, MA — Global reggaeton star Bad Bunny is set to headline a new kind of show — and not the one his fans were expecting. This time, the Puerto Rican artist isn’t performing at the Super Bowl or Coachella, but at a “No Kings” protest rally in Boston’s city center, an event organized by an activist group calling itself Monarchs Are Overrated (MAO).
But there’s one small problem: only 1,500 people have signed up.
Despite boasting over 70 million monthly Spotify listeners and a world tour that sold out stadiums in minutes, Bad Bunny’s attempt to mix activism with music appears to have hit a dud. Organizers had initially expected “tens of thousands” of attendees to flood Boston Common in protest of “royal hierarchies, billionaire worship, and outdated systems of power.”
Instead, the RSVP page looks like an empty classroom after finals week.
A Protest Fit for a Park Bench
The event, scheduled for this Saturday, is described by organizers as “a concert-slash-protest celebrating the end of kings — political, cultural, and metaphorical.”
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, reportedly signed on to perform after being inspired by the group’s motto: “No crowns, no thrones, just vibes.”
In a brief statement released on social media, the singer wrote in Spanish:
“I’m here for the people. No kings, no bosses — only music and unity.”
Unfortunately, according to city officials, “the people” appear to have other plans that day.
Boston Police estimate a turnout somewhere between “maybe 1,200” and “a couple of confused tourists who thought it was a food truck festival.”
When reached for comment, MAO spokesperson Skylar Greene, who describes herself as a “full-time activist and part-time Reiki influencer,” blamed the lack of turnout on “digital suppression” and “the patriarchy’s control of the algorithm.”
“Instagram’s been hiding our posts,” Greene said. “We had 300 shares on the poster, and suddenly it dropped to two likes and a spam comment about sunglasses. Tell me that’s not sabotage.”
She also speculated that the event’s slow traction might be due to “astrological misalignment.”
“Mercury’s in retrograde,” she explained. “Which is historically terrible for anti-royalty activism.”
Greene said she remains optimistic that “last-minute energy shifts” will bring more attendees:
“Bad Bunny fans are spontaneous. They might just show up on their scooters when the vibes align.”
When asked whether the event’s low attendance might have something to do with the confusing theme — given that America hasn’t had an actual king in nearly 250 years — Greene looked puzzled.
“It’s metaphorical,” she said. “We’re talking about systemic hierarchies. Like billionaires, politicians, and landlords. Also the Burger King guy. He creeps me out.”
Boston Officials Brace for Mild Chaos
City officials say they’re preparing for the event “just in case the crowd doubles.”
“We’ll have extra cones and two officers on Segways,” said Boston public safety coordinator Frank D’Amico. “If it gets rowdy, we can always call Dunkin’ to sponsor peace donuts.”
Despite the small turnout projection, Boston police are treating the event seriously after discovering that Bad Bunny’s fans are known to arrive unannounced in coordinated glitter mobs.
One officer reportedly described the anticipated chaos level as “somewhere between a farmer’s market and a Taylor Swift tailgate.”
Local business owners are already divided.
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A nearby coffee shop put up a “Welcome Benito” sign and is selling $12 “No Kings Lattes.”
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Meanwhile, a hardware store next door hung a banner that reads: “No concerts, please. We sell drills.”
Bad Bunny’s Team Keeps It Positive
Bad Bunny’s PR team has remained upbeat, despite the low sign-ups. In a press release sent to Billboard, his manager said:
“Benito doesn’t care if it’s 1,500 or 150,000. He’s performing for the people — even if those people are mostly pigeons.”
He went on to clarify that the artist views the event as a “symbolic act of unity and rebellion,” not a popularity contest.
“Benito’s not here for numbers. He’s here for freedom, expression, and slightly confused Bostonians.”
Sources close to the star say he’s planning a “minimalist performance” — one stage, one microphone, and one DJ booth made of recycled protest signs.
There’s also talk of a surprise feature from an unnamed Boston folk artist known locally as “Guitar Greg,” though no one can confirm whether Greg is real or an idea.
Mixed Fan Reactions
Online, reactions to the announcement have been divided. Some fans praised the move as bold and artistic.
“Bad Bunny is breaking barriers — he’s taking protest music to the streets!” wrote one Twitter user.
“He’s literally performing for the people!” said another.
Others were less enthusiastic.
“Why Boston? Why ‘No Kings’? Why not just drop an album?” asked a confused fan.
“Is this a concert or a sociology project?” another wrote.
One particularly skeptical fan posted:
“Bro went from Coachella to Cambridge Common real fast.”
Elon Musk Trolls the Event
Never one to miss an opportunity for commentary, Elon Musk joined the online conversation, tweeting:
“Bad Bunny should’ve called it the ‘No Streams’ protest.”
The post immediately went viral, prompting Bad Bunny’s fanbase to respond with a flood of rabbit emojis and Spanish insults. Musk later replied, “Relax, I’m just hopping around.”
When reporters asked if he planned to attend the concert, Musk replied, “Only if he accepts Dogecoin at the merch table.”
Local Residents Remain Confused but Curious
Despite the online chatter, many Bostonians still aren’t sure what the “No Kings” movement is about.
“I thought it was an anti-monarchy thing,” said local retiree Marjorie Whitman. “Then I read it was about billionaires. Then someone said it was about landlords. I gave up and just baked muffins.”
Others say they plan to attend simply because “it’s free and it’s Bad Bunny.”
“I don’t care if it’s a protest, a picnic, or a séance,” said college student Jamal Reyes. “If Benito’s there, I’m there.”
A New Chapter in Pop Star Activism
Experts say Bad Bunny’s Boston concert marks a turning point in celebrity activism — or at least in confusing public gatherings.
“Gone are the days when pop stars just sang about love,” said pop culture analyst Dana Fields. “Now they sing about dismantling monarchy-themed metaphors for capitalism in 45-degree weather.”
Fields added, “It’s either genius or performance art. Possibly both.”
The Final Word
As of Friday morning, the official “No Kings” RSVP count sits at 1,527 confirmed attendees, including 83 who selected “Maybe” and one user named “BurgerKing69” who commented “See you there.”
The event will take place rain or shine, with police on standby and a modest army of volunteers ready to hand out reusable protest banners reading “Long Live Equality — and Good Wi-Fi.”
In the end, even with the low turnout, one thing’s certain: Bad Bunny knows how to make headlines — even when nobody shows up.
Or as one Bostonian put it, watching city crews set up a tiny stage in the park:
“I’m not sure what they’re protesting, but if he plays Tití Me Preguntó, I’m staying till the end.”