A fever pitch on Tejano Day
When La Fiera de Ojinaga took the stage Sunday at Rodeo Houston, singer Mauricio “Pikaro” Palma had to say only two words to bring the Go Tejano Day crowd to a fever pitch.
“Arriba, Mexico!” Palma repeated the phrase throughout the set, later shouting out various cities in Mexico: “Zacatecas! Nuevo León! Sonora!” And Chihuahua, of course, where La Fiera de Ojinaga got its start.
Since its inception in 1990, Go Tejano Day has become about much more than music. The annual event is a daylong outing for families, a bridge between cultures, a source of pride.
It’s also a record-breaker. Six of Rodeo Houston’s top 10 most-attended shows fell on Go Tejano Day.
Sunday’s show drew 71,340 fans. Not enough for the history books but still impressive. That’s more than country acts Jason Aldean, Walker Hayes and Jon Pardi.
The five members of La Fiera de Ojinaga took the stage in matching blue blazers, white cowboy hats and jeans. The were frequent words of gratitude, and it was a fastpaced, energetic showcase for their norteño-with-sax sound.
The lyrics mine familiar stories of romance and heartbreak — “Beses a Quien Beses,” La Boca les Callamos,” “Te vas a Acordar de Mi.” Songs fed into each other and were preceded by intros, giving it the feel of a baile, or dance.
A series of lively huapangos played even more into that vibe. Huapango is a type of Mexican folk music and dance usually played at weddings and quinceañeras. Multicolored lights flashed around the stadium during “Ya Bailó Bertha,” “El Rezado” and “La Pomposa.” All that was missing was a dollar dance.
La Fiera also managed a trio of solid covers: the classic “Volver, Volver” by Vicente Fernández; “Lo Dejaría Todo” by pop star Chayanne; and “Mi Forma de Sentir” by Pedro Fernandez.
Another Fernandez classic helped Houston’s Mariachi Imperial de America secure a win during the annual mariachi competition, held before La Fiera took the stage. Mariachi Imperial’s pitch-perfect medley included Fernandez staple “El Rey,” Ramon Ayalas’s “Tragos Amargos” and Carin Leon’s “La Boda del Huitlacoche.” (And an accordion, too!)
It was obvious from the first note, powerful and commanding, that they would be the winners. The long-running group, led by Jose Longoria, should be the blueprint for future competitors: strong song choice, terrific showmanship and an overall sense of joy onstage.