Peruvian cumbia band La Bella Luz returned to the stage on August 7, 2026, playing a free concert in Tarapoto, its first performance under new leader Óscar Junior since a complaint that shook the group.
The show marked celebrations for Tarapoto's 244th anniversary and followed the postponement of some of the band's performances after Naldy Saldaña filed a complaint against former musical director César Sánchez. Óscar Junior took over leadership of the orchestra after his father, Óscar Custodio, stepped down following the complaint.
The 22-year-old singer, known as "Senderito," arrived in Tarapoto in the afternoon and appeared with the orchestra's members at a press conference ahead of the concert. He said he felt optimistic about reuniting with the audience and asked for support for the group.
Free concert for Tarapoto's anniversary
The cumbia orchestra played its free concert on August 7 at the Centro de Innovación Tecnológica de Tarapoto, in the San Martín region, where La Bella Luz reunited with fans after the pause in its shows.
Speaking to a local outlet, Óscar Junior said Tarapoto's audience was always cheerful and had welcomed the band warmly, and that many fans had written and called asking the group to come, so they arrived to celebrate the 244th anniversary of the people of Tarapoto.
He said the band would open with a strong show, as it had done in recent years, and would not disappoint the many people who might come to see the whole orchestra.
Óscar Junior asks for support after controversy
Óscar Junior also addressed the situation facing La Bella Luz following Saldaña's complaint against Sánchez, who had served as the group's musical director.
He asked fans to keep supporting the orchestra, saying that because one person made a mistake, not everyone in the group should have to pay for it, and asked people to continue their support.
