Review by: Janel Spiegel
Grupo Niche
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Wind Creek Steel Stage
711 E. 1st Street, Bethlehem, PA
Bethlehem, Pa, Musikfest. Welcome back to Musikfest 2026. Grupo Niche is a spectacular salsa group that was founded in 1978 in Bogota, Columbia. (I want to say hello to the adorable lady Dolly who was behind me dancing with her friends and family.) Grupo Niche was founded by Jairo Varela and Alexis Lozano. Grupo Niche is made up of: Alejandro Inigo, Adolfo “Fito” Echeverria, Alex Torres, and Luis Araque plus all of the amazing band members: Jose Aguirre (Musical Director/ Trumpeter), Oswaldo Salazar (Trumpet), Carlos Zapata (Trumpet), Paul Gordillo (Saxophone), Edward Montoya (Trombone), Edgardo Manuel (Trombone), Diego Camacho (Timbales), Juan Murillo (Congas), and Fabio Celorio (Bongo).
I do not even know where to begin but I will start with picking up my parking pass, and saying a huge thank you to ArtsQuest Communications for the media parking pass. I met a nice lady who was incredibly kind. I headed over to the Media Center to pick up my ticket, and again, I want to say THANK YOU to Bryn and Tehani from myself, and The Valley Ledger.
Mother Nature decided that she wanted to add some rain in true Musikfest fashion. They were selling ponchos and they sold out quickly. I did not purchase a poncho simply because I am a nature person, and I will walk in the rain, snow, sleet, hail, arctic tundra’s, you name it, I have walked in it. Summer is what I love though despite being known for my love of Halloween, and all things spooky all year round.
The crowd was ready. I walked around for a few minutes and then headed to Steel Stage. The crowd was a lot of fun. Fabry Orihuela, Fabricio Orihuela of Northampton, Pa., was the opening act for Grupo Niche, and the music was beyond amazing. Fabricio’s band performed a variety of singles including, “Tregua.” Fabricio is a singer, guitarist, independent producer. He sings everything from rock, ballads, pop, and everyone felt all of the energy. It was passionate, and flowing.
People were dancing, and singing along. There was a lot of love at tonight’s show, I think Mother Nature picked up on it because she kept the rain around for a bit, and then as Grupo Niche took the stage, and they looked incredible. They all had vibrant matching ensembles, and they had the crowd going all night. The are respected and loved. I sat with an amazing group of people. The band interacted with the crowd; the crowd interacted with each other. It was such an incredible show. The Grupo Niche 2026 Disco Tour included hits: “Una Aventura,” “Ana Mile,” “Cali Pachanguero,” “Ganas,” and so many more.
They start with an opener, and then move into romance and classic songs including: “La canoa ranchaa,” “Un caso social,” and then some acapella moments with a finale, and encore that left everyone waiting because we thought they were going to keep going. There was no leaving the stage or teasing of a last song, Grupo Niche gave us a WHOLE ENCORE, and then some.
It was one of my all-time favorite live shows I have ever been to, and the crowd was so much fun. People were dancing, and singing, and holding flags to represent what country they were from. Grupo Niche showed love to everyone shouting out, Peru, Brazil, Columbia, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and The United States of America. It was such a beautiful performance. The singing, the passion, the love, the smiles, the dancing in the rain with everyone. Have you ever danced in the rain? Just genuinely danced in the rain or maybe did the Salsa in the rain? It was magic, pure magic. They brought all of the beautiful Latin flavor, and all of the love tonight.
If you get a chance to see this beautiful group live, SALSA OVER and see them. They are just incredible. Thank you, Musikfest, and thank you so much Grupo Niche… Qué noche tan hermosa.
FOLLOW Grupo Niche on social media, and Musikfest
https://www.instagram.com/gruponicheoficial/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/fabryorihuelaoficial/
Wind Creek Steel Stage Headliners
- July 30 (Preview Night): Grupo Niche
- July 31: Russell Dickerson
- August 1: John Mulaney: Mister Whatever
- August 2: Third Eye Blind
- August 3: Train
- August 4: “Weird Al” Yankovic (Bigger & Weirder Tour)
- August 5: T.I. with special guest DaBaby
- August 6: Bailey Zimmerman
- August 7: Parker McCollum
- August 8: Yellowcard and Taking Back Sunday
- August 9: AJR
There are also tons of FREE shows at Musikfest. Musikfest features over 500 performances around the North and South sides of Bethlehem, Pa. Make sure to check out the Musikfest 2026 app.
https://www.artsquest.org/musikfest/lineup/printable-schedule/
