Renowned Mexican band Los Tigres del Norte perform at Madison Square Garden for the initial time
Hey there! Los Tigres del Norte, one of the world's most famous Mexican groups, recently made history by playing at the iconic Madison Square Garden. NPR Music's Anamaria Sayre was there to catch all the excitement!
(CHEERING)
ANAMARIA SAYRE: The entire Mexican community in New York City gathers, swarming one of the most legendary venues on the planet.
EDUARDO HERNANDEZ: What happened tonight at Madison Square Garden, you never dreamed of it. You never realized in your whole career that one day, you'd be here.
That's Eduardo Hernandez, a member of Los Tigres del Norte. They've played everywhere, from cramped armories to dusty rodeos, gracing big cities and small towns. But Madison Square Garden - that's a whole new level.
Hernan Hernandez, another member, tells it like it is: this show is a monumental moment for the band and their fans.
HERNAN HERNANDEZ: Our fans, our followers deserve to be here. Some of these people might never have been here before.
Los Tigres del Norte have always made their fans - the immigrants, the folks working in the kitchens, mowing the lawns - the heroes of their concerts. Many of their biggest hits are inspired by the lives of fans just like us.
Take Elizabeth Vargas, for example. She relates the most to the song "La Puerta Negra."
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "LA PUERTA NEGRA")
LOS TIGRES DEL NORTE: (Singing in Spanish)
ANAMARIA SAYRE: It's a ballad about two young lovers whose families don't approve of their relationship. The titular 'Black Door' is a metaphor for the barrier dividing them, but the singer assures his lover they will get through it.
Vargas shares a similar story. Her Mexican family didn't approve of her Cuban husband.
ELIZABETH VARGAS: (Speaking Spanish)
"No matter what happened," she says, "the door always opened for us. That song was like, 'Wow,' for me. Every time I heard it, it was for him."
Jocelyn Romero heard her parents' immigrant experience reflected in the song "La Carta."
JOCELYN ROMERO: You put yourself in their shoes. I understand their whole life.
In the song, Los Tigres paint the picture of a son sending a letter to his mother, separated by the border.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "LA CARTA")
LOS TIGRES DEL NORTE: (Singing in Spanish)
The emotions that connect Romero to her parents through Los Tigres inspired her to buy them tickets to the show.
ROMERO: They were screaming, "Oh, my gosh, let's go, let's go, let's go!" Yes, I can't believe it!
Los Tigres del Norte has been a powerful force for the Mexican immigrant community, providing a voice and a soundtrack for their experiences. And though there has been some concern that ticket sales might be affected by fears of ICE raids, Sacred Moments of Sound continues to hold sold-out shows[4].
Fear? Us Mexicans love it - the thrill, the anticipation.
Ernesto Sanchez, a sombrero salesman who frequents Mexican cultural events throughout the city, sums it up nicely.
SANCHEZ: (Speaking Spanish)
"The band speaks for us. They sing for us. To have them supporting us in this country right now is a thing of pride."
Anamarie Sayre, NPR News.
(SOUNDBITE OF LOS TIGRES DEL NORTE SONG, "LA PUERTA NEGRA")
LOS TIGRES DEL NORTE: (Singing in Spanish)
Los Tigres del Norte has been a significant part of the Mexican music scene for nearly six decades, celebrating the norteño genre and the Latinx immigrant community through their corridos[1][2][3].
The band's commitment to social issues and commentary is grounded in the corrido tradition, which acts as a form of storytelling and journalism, reflecting and connecting with the experiences of its audience[3].
Los Tigres del Norte has faced controversies, particularly with narco-corridos, but remains committed to their artistic vision and the genres that define them[2][3].
The legendary Madison Square Garden show is just the latest milestone in the band's storied career[5].
The Mexican community in New York City eagerly anticipated and shared the news about Los Tigres del Norte's monumental concert at Madison Square Garden. This entertainment event was a source of immense pride, serving as a symbol of Both the band's and their fans' journey, with music acting as a unifying force within the immigrant community.
