Bésame Mucho embraces styles across generations
Here are 11 acts to catch at the festival of Latino music
The inaugural Bésame Mucho Festival is coming to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Dec. 3 and it's as nostalgic for parents and tíos as it is for the younger Latino crowd.
The eclectic music lineup caters to those who listen to a bit of everything — from regional Mexican, cumbia and merengue to rock en Español — and it's all packed into a single-day event that plays out across The Rockero, Las Clásicas and Te Gusta El Pop? (You Like Pop?) stages.
With its stacked, multigenerational roster, it's not surprising that this festival caught the attention of various age groups of Latinos and quickly sold out after being announced. There's a waitlist option at besamemuchofestival.com for those still hoping to score tickets.
For those that are going, we've broken down some of the acts representing the best of the genres and the living legends, and pointed out where the mosh pits might be.
Rock en Español
CAIFANES ❯❯ When the mid-'80s explosion of rock en Español hit Mexico City, Caifanes was there. By infusing various palettes of texture — new wave, post-punk, goth and synth-pop — the band became a Mexican rock 'n' roll pioneer. Shortly after its quick global rise, the band called it quits in 1995, but reformed in 2011. The rockers will probably play some of their biggest hits, including “Afuera,” “Viento” and “No Dejes Que.” If you're a dedicated fan of The Smiths, The Cure or even Morrissey, this is where you'll need to be. CAFÉ TACVBA ❯❯ For more than a quarter-century, the quartet has been on the forefront of Latin alternative music. Formed in the outskirts of Mexico City, Café Tacvba put out an album in 1994, “Re,” defining a pivotal moment in the rise of rock in Latin America with its focus on pop ballads, punk rhythms and corrido lyricism. The United States has Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chili Peppers; Mexico has
Café Tacvba.
JULIETA VENEGAS ❯❯ For more than 20 years, this singer and songwriter has been one of the most renowned Latinas in rock en Español. But effortlessly, the Long Beach-raised artist has jumped into new domains like alternative pop to experiment with new sounds. Recently, Venegas collaborated with rising superstar Bad Bunny on “Lo Siento BB:/,” the catchy reggaeton ballad that's amassed over 600 million online streams.
Get in the Pit
TIJUANA NO! ❯❯ Tijuana ska punk band Tijuana No! was influenced by punk rock greats like The Clash, Dead Kennedys and Sex Pistols. Formed by keyboardist and vocalist Ceci Bastida, the band represents the best of traditional Mexican music and punk, writing mainly about the inequalities of being Latino and indigenous. Though the band has been on hiatus since 2002, some original members will reunite at Bésame Mucho.
INSPECTOR ❯❯ Inspector is another ska act that will have you dancing or skanking in the pit. Formed in 1995, Inspector blends Mexican pop with ska and reggae. The group was part of the mid-'90s music movement avanzada regia that gave rise to pop-rock acts in Monterrey, Mexico. During the movement, Inspector completed multiple tours through Latin America, earning a Lo Nuestro Award award as best new group.
PANTEÓN ROCOCÓ ❯❯ One of the most symbolic Mexico City-bred ska bands, Panteón Rococó is more than just lyrics and a reggae beat to skank to. Since its start in the '90s, Rococó has sung about the highs and lows of Mexico, the Tlatelolco massacre and the killings in Chiapas. Tracks like “La Dosis Perfecta” and “Vendedora de Caricias” were released in 1999, but the messages are still relevant today. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the group, which also celebrated becoming the first Latin American band to fill the largest stadium in Mexico City in 2022, performing for 20,000 fans at Arena de la Ciudad de México.
Las Clásicas
LOS ÁNGELES AZULES ❯❯ Hailing from Iztapalapa, a region in Mexico City, these are the true ambassadors of cumbia. The six-sibling Mexican group began in 1980 and didn't find success internationally until 1997. The Azules are famously known for singing classic Colombian cumbias while providing a Mexican twist. “El Liston de tu Pelo” earned the group its first No. 1 on the Billboard Regional Mexican Airplay chart.
LOS TIGRES DEL NORTE ❯❯ Los Tigres del Norte are a renowned norteño group that started as nomad musicians in Mexico and went on to become one of the most prominent bands their genre. Together for nearly 40 years, the group consists of brothers Jorge, Hernán, Eduardo and Luis Hernández and their cousin Óscar Lara. Their ballads often detail the historical and political climates that sympathize with the immigrant experience. The group has produced over 50 albums, earning five Grammy Awards and seven Latin Grammys.
RAMÓN AYALA ❯❯ Known as the accordion king, he has long been steeped in traditional norteño music. Ayala's career spans 50 years and he's received six Grammy nominations, produced more than 100 albums and created a legacy as one of the leading corrido balladeers. The 76-year-old performer suffered some health complications this year but returned to the stage to headline Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa in August.
Popular Latin pop
ELVIS CRESPO ❯❯ When “Suavemente” plays at any gathering, it causes a sprint to the dance floor. Crespo, the Puerto Rican artist who was instrumental in bringing merengue and tropical to the mainstream market, gifted a song that stands the test of time in Latin America. Since 2022 marks the 25th anniversary of the classic, there's no better time to catch Crespo in action, as everyone in the crowd will be singing, dancing or crying — or possibly all three at once.
ELEFANTE ❯❯ The '90s pop-rock band from Mexico City, responsible for the hits “Así Es La Vida” and “Ángel,” will surely set the tone for some lighthearted fun. After winning a 2005 Latin Grammy for its selftitled album, the group has toured with the likes of Shakira and Maná. Both the younger and older generations will surely be united during this performance.