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Tag: MarcoFromHouston

  • Kali Uchis Radiates Classic Beauty and Vibes at Toyota Center

    Kali Uchis
    The Sincerely, Tour
    Toyota Center
    September 2, 2025

    Ten years ago, I was in the audience as Kali Uchis performed for the first time at the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Back then, I wrote the following observation:

    “[Uchis] is an odd yet satisfying mix of doo-wop, R&B and smooth/dreamy reggae with a hip-hop attitude.”

    In the world of algorithms and trends, it is refreshing to see that Uchis has stayed her own course, still writing and singing lovely tracks with the same classical beauty aesthetic and mix of R&B and Latin inspired vibes.

    The Toyota Center was packed on Tuesday evening with adoring fans who were also adhering to the aesthetic, many wearing cute, summer dresses adorned with hues of pinks, baby blue, and other pastel colors. Some attached flowers to their outfits as if they were extras strait out of Kali’s “I Wish You Roses” music video. All I know is that I was way underdressed and too old to be there as a 45 year old in cargo shorts and New Balance sneakers.

    The night started strong with opening act for the tour, San Diego’s own Chicano Soul band named Thee Sacred Souls. Their sound is also classic, but in the backyard BBQ, driving slow in a lowrider type of way. The band consists of a horn section, drummer, a duo of funky guitar and bass, an electric organ, and the band’s secret weapon: vocalist Josh Lane.

    Lane is tall and slender, and looks like a member of the Marley family. But his voice is the epitome of chill, endearing the listener with smooth vocals, a mile wide smile, and dance moves that would make Elvis nervous.

    Normally, a band holds their biggest hit for the end of the set, but not this band. They came out of the gate with “Can I Call You Rose?”, which was on my personal Top Ten list of favorite tracks 2022. The track was met with a loud roar of appreciation from the audience, and indeed sounded magical in person as opposed to in my headphones.

    Lane then ran into the crowd, dancing and singing across the arena floor and even up and down the aisles. He was definitely being extra and doing “the most”, but in doing so won over the crowd and provided a memory that will not fade away anytime soon. My niece Rose Marie literally jumped up and down with joy as Lane passed by our section, sliding and dancing and smiling the entire time.

    After a quick intermission, the baby pink curtain was draped across the stage, and the words “Kali Uchis, The Sincerely” were projected against the backdrop. When the lights dimmed and the show was beginning, the curtains revealed Uchis sitting on a swing above center stage, with fog and spotlights allowing her to shine bright in dreamy setting.

    She wore a baby blue gown, hair in an up-do, and carried a glittery gold microphone. Simply put, she is gorgeous, exuding that classic Hollywood glamour energy, with a mix of Latina sensuality and mystique. She is sexy but not overtly sexual, a combination of coquette and baby doll, secure and strong and downright beautiful. Her voice matches her look, a mezzo-soprano with a wide range, frequently hitting falsetto notes to accompany her smooth tonal vocals.

    Her set list was divided into six sections and an encore, each section representing a different album from her career. She endeared herself even more to the crowd by praising Houston for being “the loudest audience in Texas by far!”

    After the opening set from her “Sincerely” album, she shifted into her album “Orquídeas”, which includes some of my favorite Kali cuts, including “Muñekita” and “Igual Que Un Angel.” Her dancers surrounded around the stage wearing all white, and at one point began to carry Uchis as if she was Cleopatra, elevating her across the stage, all while Kali kept in tune and on beat.

    During another section of the set, a large bed was introduced onto the stage. Uchis laid on the bed and the camera displayed her from above as she sang and shimmied center stage. Kali has a habit of dropping low to the floor, sometimes crawling, always cute and still modest. It isn’t quite twerking, but rather living on a different plane, shifting her angles and providing gracious looks.

    Uchis took a small break to invite a special guest to the stage, her life partner Don Toliver. The crowd erupted in cheers, welcoming the Houston native to the scene. She then continued her set and finished with songs from “Isolation,” “Sin Miedo” and “Red Moon in Venus.” My favorite songs were performed during this section, including “After The Storm,” “Telepatia” and “See You Again”.

    It definitely was marvelous to see Kali Uchis again, and we wish her continued success along her journey.

    ¡Hasta pronto!

    Marco Torres

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  • The Weeknd Radiates Energy and Emotion at NRG Stadium

    The Weeknd
    After Hours til Dawn Tour
    NRG Stadium
    August 30, 2025

    There’s a big difference between being a singer and being a star performer. Anyone with a little courage can stand on a street corner and sing some tunes, but it takes a special kind of talent to command a stadium full of adoring fans. Last night, Abel Tesfaye, known to the world as The Weeknd, hosted night one of two sold-out concerts inside NRG Stadium. Joining him for these shows were opening acts Playboi Carti and Houston’s very own multi-instrumentalist and producer Mike Dean.

    The show began early around 6:45 p.m. with Dean surrounded by keyboards and synths, standing solo on the massive stage and running through a litany of hits. He dove into the tracks he produced while working for Rap-A-Lot as a producer, mixer, and engineer, creating music for Scarface and The Geto Boys, Devin The Dude, Big Mello, Z-Ro, 5th Ward Boyz, and many more. Dean also played the guitar and even played a few melodies on the tenor saxophone as he ran through songs he created for Kanye West, Travis Scott, Kid Cudi, Jay Z, Beyonce, and more. It was a perfect homecoming set for Mike, who would later return to the stage to play keys during The Weeknd’s headlining set.

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    Legendary producer and multi-instrumentalist Mike Dean, who is originally from Houston, performed an opening homecoming set at NRG Stadium on Saturday, August 30th.

    Photo by Cody Barclay

    Rapper Playboi Carti followed Dean, and although he is a strong and energetic performer, the audience seemed to be withholding their applause for The Weeknd. Carti would later accompany the headliner for the songs “Timeless” and “Never Lie,” which were well received by the crowd.

    As the intermission was ending and the stagehands prepped the scene for Abel, the stadium was filled almost to capacity. A massive LED video screen was positioned at the east end zone of the football field, and the set resembled a post apocalyptic scene with a broken skyline. Two long runways crisscrossed the length of the arena floor, and a giant golden figure of a female dancer served as a centerpiece.

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    Two long runways criss-crossed the length of the arena floor, and a giant golden figure of a female dancer served as a centerpiece.

    Photo by Cody Barclay

    A group of dancers dressed in red robes and face masks made their appearance on stage as the opening notes of “The Abyss” rang out. The Weeknd then appeared in the middle of the group wearing a black robe and a golden mask. The eyes were illuminated with lights, giving him a mystical aura and commanding awe and applause from the crowd. “Wake Me Up” and “After Hours” rounded out the opening trio of tracks.

    The theme of the production was a mix of religion, cult imagery, and a dystopian future. Heavy use of pyro and lasers enhanced the mood, which played with the contrasts of light and dark, fun and fear, angels and demons. The moving images on the large video board showed fantastical visuals of an all seeing eye, souls being lifted around in a circular motion, and many other magical forces.

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    Ranging from sad and moody to upbeat and dance-worthy, its easy to see why The Weeknd is one of this generation’s most beloved artists.

    Photo by Cody Barclay

    The Weeknd’s voice equally as angelic and mischievous, a natural tenor who flaunts his falsetto as his not-so-secret weapon, mixing tones, tunes, and tempos effortlessly. His set list is at times slow and moody, which then ventures into upbeat and dance-worthy, then crashes into vibrant stories of love, lust, and loss. Its easy to see why he is one of this generations most popular and beloved artists.

    The set list was extensive, with over 40 tracks spanning his 15 year career. The crowd was completely enamored of him, showing love and cheering at every look, gesture, and smile. Once Abel removed his mask, you could see how the love was reciprocated. “I love you, Houston!” he shouted, with tears forming in his eyes. It was a spectacular connection between artist and audience.

    “We are nearing the end of our tour, and usually by this time an artist tends to get lethargic” he confessed to his fans. “But you guys are giving me so much life! I’m never going to skip Houston, ever!” he promised.

    There were many highlights, but my favorite tracks of the night were “Save Your Tears,” “I Feel It Coming” and “Often.” I will definitely be in the building when The Weeknd returns to H-Town.

    Marco Torres

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  • Post Malone Delivers a High-Octane Performance in The Woodlands

    Post Malone Delivers a High-Octane Performance in The Woodlands

    Post Malone
    F-1 Trillion Tour
    The Woodlands, Texas
    October 22, 2024

    Since the beginning of his career, Post Malone has been a mystery. The skinny white kid who started rapping on Soundcloud with “White Iverson” is now an almost 30-year-old father releasing country albums. He lives somewhere in between the genres of rap, rock, pop, and country, and does a damn fine job of combining all of those sounds into a fun, loud, and exciting live show.

    A few years back, Post delivered the following on X (formally Twitter):

    “When I turn 30 I’m becoming a country/folk singer“

    His predictions came true a little early, delivering his F-1 Trillion country album to the world in August of this year. He has always performed covers of country and country-adjacent songs throughout his career, my favorite being his cover of Brad Paisley’s  “I’m Gonna Miss Her” which he posted on YouTube in 2021.

    Post’s set in The Woodland began with the songs “Wrong Ones” and “Finer Things’” the two opening tracks of his latest album. The stage was lit with a wall of lights behind the band, and two large spotlights on each end resembling prison guard towers. It was clear that Malone wanted a more down to earth vibe for this tour, ditching the LEDs and lasers for one large platform that supported his band while he walked around barefoot in jeans and a Bud Light T-shirt.

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    Post Malone lives somewhere in between the genres of rap, rock, pop, and country, and does a fine job combining those sounds into an exciting live show.

    Photo by Cody Barclay

    “Its so wonderful to be back in Texas!” declared Post as he waved to his fans, holding a blue Solo cup of Bud Light in his hand. “Cheers motherfuckers!”

    He spend most of the first half of the night showcasing the new music from his country album, but he would pepper the evening with pop hits such as “Circles” and “Chemical,” each sounding extra cool with the slide guitar adding some country twang to the background of each song.

    Malone took a break to intro his band, which included a fiddle player and a slide guitarist, which kept the show mostly grounded in the country genre. He also covered Toby Keith’s “Wish I Didn’t Know” and shouted out his friends Jelly Roll, Morgan Wallen, Chris Stapleton and Luke Combs.

    Mid-show, Post invited a young fan named Courtney to play acoustic guitar on stage with him for the song “Stay.” She was visibly nervous, but Malone calmed her down with a genuine smile and encouraging words of support.

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    Post Malone delivered several motivational messages to his fans.

    Photo by Cody Barclay

    “I hate to keep beating you guys up with sad songs, but I need to sing this one!” he said as the notes to “I Fall Apart” rang out. It was super emotional and a powerful performance, which he did while kneeling down, almost in a prayer position while singing. This mini emotional set ended with “Better Now” and “Psycho”.

    Post then had these words for his fans:

    “Before I leave I just want to say…. You are loved, don’t give up! If you think that you are a loser, well that makes two of us! Keep going!”

    The evening came to a close with a now shirtless Postie performing his hits “Rockstar,” “Congratulations” and “Sunflower.”

    “Do whatever you want to do in life,” he told the crowd. “Because no one can fucking stop you!”

    Post Malone ladies and gentlemen: Rapper, Country Singer, and Motivational Speaker. 

    Marco Torres

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  • Los Temerarios Say Farewell at Toyota Center

    Los Temerarios Say Farewell at Toyota Center

    Los Temerarios
    “Hasta Siempre” Farewell Tour
    Toyota Center
    October 10, 2024

    Mexican music is normally categorized as lively, jovial, and loud, with brass horns and drums that practically force you to dance. But beyond the cumbias and rancheras that we adore, there will always be ballads that bring us down to Earth. Songs about love, lust, and heartbreak uplift our spirits when we are in love, and console us when that love has been shattered into a million little pieces.

    The absolute masters of the romantic ballad are Los Temerarios, a band from Zacatecas, Mexico that was formed in the late 1970s, and enjoyed four decades of heart-wrenching hits. They are in the middle of their farewell tour across the US, Mexico, and Latin America at the moment, and will finalize this long goodbye in Mexico City later this year.

    The music of Los Temerarios was never at the top of my list of records I purchased or music that I played around the house, but somehow it has always been part of my life. This was music that my tias listened to while they were cooking, and it would be blasting from the radio when my tios were on the grill. I remember my mother singing along to their songs as she listened to Spanish language radio station La Tremenda 1010AM as she cleaned the house and got ready for work.

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    Brothers Adolfo Angel and Gustavo Angel are masters of the romantic ballad, pulling on heart strings and providing the soundtrack of love for their adoring fans.

    Photo by Marco Torres

    Thursday evening was the band’s first for three sold-out concerts at Toyota Center, which is really impressive for any performer, let alone a Mexican act. As the audience filled into the arena, you could feel the anticipation in the air. Once the Angel brothers took to the stage, they were met with a grand applause, leading into the first song of the night, “Enamorado De Ti.”

    Most of the band’s tracks are slow to medium in tempo, full of melodic notes from the keyboards, soft guitar chords, and driven drum breaks between the verses. I must admit, I haven’t listened to a Temerarios song for a very long time, but somehow those lyrics and melodies that were buried deep in my memory found their way to my mouth. I caught myself singing songs that I haven’t heard in 20-plus years, and enjoying every moment.

    The audience was equally mesmerized, also singing along loudly to each track while they held their dates close and danced in their seats. The opening set continued with “Tu Infame Engaño,” “Una Tarde Fue” and “Como Te Recuerdo.”

    The word “temerario” translates as “a reckless person” as well as “fearless” and “daredevil.” Their band logo and some of their album covers prominently feature a wolf, which is a symbol of both masculinity and beauty. Machismo will always be part of the Latin American male ego, but there’s no shame in being in love and sharing your feelings. Los Temerarios have provided the soundtrack of love for their adoring fans for as long as I can remember.

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    Gustavo Angel’s distinct voice and guitar has accompanied generations of fans through love and heartbreak.

    Photo by Marco Torres

    The brothers explained to the audience that this show was particularly special because their mother, wives, and other close friends and family were in attendance near the front row. They each blew kisses towards their mom, and took turns serenading her and mouthing the words “Te Quiero Mucho” throughout the evening (I love you!).

    The set list included 30 songs and the show went on until around 11pm. One of my favorite moments of the evening was when they sang a cover of “Qué De Raro Tiene” by Vicente Fernandez. The crowd sang most of the night fairly loudly, but they pushed those vocal chords to the max during this song.

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    Adolfo Angel is the force behind the melodies and lyrics for the innumerable hits by Mexican band Los Temerarios.

    Photo by Marco Torres

    The encore included the hits “Te Quiero,” “Mi Vida Eres Tú,” and “La Mujer De Los Dos.” A sea of cell phone lights illuminated the arena during this time, and everyone swayed back and forth, shining their light brightly as a “Thank You” to this amazing band for the litany of hits and years of love and support through our highs and lows.

    ¡Hasta Siempre, Temerarios!

    Marco Torres

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  • Charley Crockett’s $10 Cowboy Tour Lights Up 713 Music Hall

    Charley Crockett’s $10 Cowboy Tour Lights Up 713 Music Hall


    Charley Crockett
    $10 Cowboy Tour
    713 Music Hall
    September 3, 2024

    Have you ever met a stranger and been completely amazed by their entire demeanor? The kids these days would call it “swag” or “vibes,” which is something magical and intangible about the person’s attitude. That’s exactly how I feel about Charley Crockett. His chiseled jawline and piercing green eyes attract your attention, and then BOOM!… His voice and southern twang grabs a hold of your soul and doesn’t let go.

    Crockett began his set at 713 Music Hall with $10 Cowboy, where he sings “people always ask me, if I’m a rodeo star / doubt if I got 8 seconds / but I can sing you a song!” He definitely fits the casting call for a vintage cowboy film: leather jacket, Stetson on his crown, wranglers and boots. He carries his guitar around the stage like dancing partner, flashing his pearly-white smile with the precision of a heart surgeon.

    The singer-songwriter is a native of San Benito, Texas – the same hometown as Freddy Fender of Texas Tornados fame. He later moved to Dallas and also spent time with family in New Orleans, no doubt absorbing every character and experience he encountered into his repertoire of inspiration.

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    Crockett is a native of San Benito, Texas – the same hometown as Freddy Fender of Texas Tornados fame.

    Photo by Violeta Alvarez

    The amber colored accent lights that flanked him and his band on stage added to the warm feel of the show. This wasn’t a modern country set with pyro, lasers, and songs about your dog dying in your truck down by the river. This was more subdued, classic country music with heavy blues influence. “I used to think I was a folk singer” he told the audience. “But then I realized this ain’t nothing but The Blues!”

    Crockett mostly sings in a low baritone voice, almost like Johnny Cash or Kris Kristofferson. But peppered in between verses and jam sessions with his band The Blue Drifters, he sometimes allows a yelp and a yee-haw ring out, shifting from serious to rowdy in a split second. In that regard, he reminds me more of Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams Jr.

    “Some publication once called me a stylistic man” Crockett told the crowd. “The way I see it, I’m always just myself… and I’m the only person that can do that!” A lady named Juliet, who was enjoying the show next to me, said “He definitely looks like a character from the movie Giant (1956) starring Rock Hudson, James Dean, and Elizabeth Taylor. I quickly added the film to my “must watch” list.

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    Crockett mostly sings in a low baritone voice, like Johnny Cash or Kris Kristofferson, but his stage presence is that of Waylon Jennings or Hank Williams Jr.

    Photo by Violeta Alvarez

    By the time the set list arrived at “The Man From Waco,” Crockett was in total control. There were couples two-stepping around the venue, friend groups drinking beer and singing along to the tracks, and girlfriends holding their boyfriends tight around the waist. I go to a lot of shows, but outside of Rodeo season, this was the most Houston show I’ve seen in a very long time.

    There were 2 large, old school neon letters on the stage behind the band, and they read “CC.” It was so cool to see them glow behind Crockett throughout the performance, and they added to the western theme of the tour. As the evening came to a close, the crowd chanted “Charley! Charley! Charley!”

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    Outside of Rodeo season, this Charley Crockett concert was the most Houston show I’ve seen in a very long time.

    Photo by Violeta Alvarez

    Of course Charley and his band returned for an encore, offering Jamestown Ferry before bringing out opening act Vincent Neil Emerson for an awesome cover of Good Hearted Woman by Waylon and Willie.

    “But she never complains of the bad times
    Or the bad things he’s done, Lord /
    She just talks about the good times they’ve had
    And all the good times to come    “

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    “Next time you see me, I’ll play twice as good!” – Charley Crockett

    Photo by Violeta Alvarez

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    Crocketts encore included a cover of “Good Hearted Woman” by Waylon and Willie.

    Photo by Violeta Alvarez

    Marco Torres

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  • Eden Muñoz Leads a Showcase of Mexican Music at 713 Music Hall

    Eden Muñoz Leads a Showcase of Mexican Music at 713 Music Hall

    Eden Muñoz
    Como En Los Viejos Tiempos Tour
    713 Music Hall
    August 17, 2024

    I wasn’t expecting to cry at a concert, but last night my emotions got the best of me and the tears rolled down my face. On stage was Eden Muñoz, formally of the Norteño-Banda group Calibre 50, and the song that caused me to shed a tear was “Corrido De Juanito.” It tells a story of a Mexican man who crossed over to work in the United States to obtain a better life, working long, hard hours in constant fear of deportation, all the while longing to revisit his home and family back in Mexico. His mother dies and he isn’t able to pay his last respects, and all he wants to do is hug his father once again.

    And yet, through all of this, he’s still supremely proud to be “Mexicano hasta al tope!” After a quick scan through the crowd, I wasn’t the only one feeling sentimental while listening to this song. It just hits so hard, especially hearing it live in a room full of your fellow Mexican community, knowing that we have all experienced some form of these hardships at least a few times in our life.

    But like true Mexicans, with good music playing we are able to transition from sadness to joy in an instant. And out of all the Regional Mexican concerts I’ve seen this year, Eden Muñoz has probably been my favorite so far. He began the show with “A La Antigüita” which provided a jolt of energy into the crowd, causing yelps of joy and dancing through 713 Music Hall.

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    Eden Muñoz exudes a love for life and country that resounds loudly in his music.

    Photo by Marco Torres

    I remember being introduced to the music of Muñoz’s former band Calibre 50 while I was visiting Monterrey, Nuevo Leon over 10 years ago. There was something magical about his attitude and songwriting, a love for life and country that resounded loudly in his music.

    Muñoz was surrounded on stage by a large banda orchestra, with an entire brass section of trumpets, tuba, and trombones joining in harmony with the saxophones, clarinets, and accordion. He wore an oversized button up shirt, jeans, boots, and a dark black cowboy hat, which he often tilted down and at an angle to cover his gaze, providing a mysterious aura around him.

    Do you ever see somebody and say “that guy really loves his job!” That’s exactly what I felt as I watched Muñoz dance across the stage, playing his accordion and laughing with the crowd. “I get emotional when I drink” he said en Español, holding his glass of tequila (or maybe whiskey) high as he toasted the crowd with a “salud, raza!”

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    Eden Muñoz provided an energetic and lively set during his performace at 713 Music Hall.

    Photo by Marco Torres

    He took a seat and traded his accordion for a guitar, strumming the opening notes to “Simplemente Gracias” along with the piano player and saxophone. A fan near the front row took this opportunity to propose to his girlfriend at his very moment. They caught the attention of Muñoz, who stumbled over his lyrics as he congratulated the couple.

    “I wrote that song six years ago for my soon-to-be wife, specifically to sing at our wedding” said Muñoz as the crowd clapped for the happy couple. He asked their names, which were Luis and Riley, and toasted his best wishes once again.

    “Les gustan los corridos, Houston?!” he asked before playing “Javier El De Los Llanos” and “Consejos Gratis.” I swear, the list of hits that Eden has written is so extensive, and all are crazy good.

    One of the highlights of the evening was the “Ruleta de Homenajes” that picked a seemingly random Mexican music legend for the band to cover. Last night, this included tributes to Selena, Valentin Elizalde, Vicente Fernandez, Joan Sebastian, Chalino Sanchez, Ramon Ayala, and Marco Antonio Solis. My favorite though was probably the cover of “Como Estás Tú” by the cumbia group Liberacion. If I had a date to this show, I definitely would have danced to this one!

    This show really felt like a celebration, as if the banda was playing en la feria or at a jaripeo. I’m sure Muñoz and his banda could easily play another two or three more hours, but alas… all good things come to an end.

    Gracias Eden. Simplemente, gracias!

    Marco Torres

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  • Juvenile & DJ Mannie Fresh Take Over White Oak Music Hall

    Juvenile & DJ Mannie Fresh Take Over White Oak Music Hall


    Juvenile & The 400 Degreez Band
    feat. DJ Mannie Fresh
    Back That Azz Up 25th Anniversary Tour
    White Oak Music Hall
    August 16th, 2024

    I was a freshman in college in 1999, riding around in a brand new Chevy Cavalier with two Rockford Fosgate 12″ subs in the truck, using rap and Hip-Hop music as the soundtrack to my adventures. It was a great year for the genre, with new albums by Dr. Dre, Jay Z, and Eminem heavy in my rotation. I also had just downloaded some music on Napster by a crew from New Orleans who called themselves Cash Money Records.

    There was something supremely hypnotic about rapper Juvenile’s voice and rhyming patterns on “Ha,” the first single from his 400 Degreez album. The beat was also equally transcendent, introducing me to elements of bounce music that this Tejano kid had never heard before. DJ Mannie Fresh was the genius behind those beats, and together the duo would make some of the best Southern rap music ever produced.

    And then one day, while watching MTV at my primo’s house, I heard these famous prophetic words:

    “Cash Money Records taking over for the ’99 and the 2000!”

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    DJ Mannie Fresh produced the song “Back That Azz Up,” which was the second single from Juvenile’s 400 Degreez album, widely considered as one of the greatest rap songs ever.

    Photo by Marco Torres

    The song “Back That Azz Up” was the second single off the 400 Degreez album, and it has been minted by fans as one of the greatest rap songs ever. Even now, 25 years later, the song bangs at the club, at weddings, and in the car. The beat, the lyrics, and the overall feel of the track is infectious, inducing an immediate dance break and putting the world on hold for those 4 minutes and 25 seconds.

    The show at White Oak Music Hall on Friday night began with Mannie Fresh behind the DJ booth, warming up the crowd with a mix of Houston rap classics, R&B classics, and bounce anthems. The crowd was singing and swag surfing to all the hits, and were definitely warmed up to receive the headliner. The 400 Degreez band consisted of a drummer, an electric guitar, a bass guitar, and an additional DJ.

    Juve sauntered onstage wearing a green track suit, a bucket hat, and a pair of shades. His gold teeth and iced out platinum chain sparkled brightly as he rapped the opening tracks “Ha” and “Set It Off.” His voice and wordplay are so iconic: menacing, guttural, humorous, and witty AF. The aura he creates around his music and stage presence is electric and mysterious.

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    The aura Juvenile creates around his music and stage presence is electric and mysterious.

    Photo by Marco Torres

    This concert was initially scheduled to be presented on the lawn, but was later moved inside. And boy did it feel like it…. so many people jam packed the downstairs area of the venue. Luckily, most people were pretty chill and content to be around so many of their fellow Cash Money fans. White girls in Saints jerseys danced to “Get Your Roll On” and “Slow Motion” with their new friends surrounding them. Many of the fans in attendance rapped along to every lyric, even to the b-side tracks like “Shine” and “In My Life.”

    Oh course Juve and Mannie looked on with joyful smiles, realizing how their music has endured time and kept relevant throughout the years. Its important to recognize and celebrate greatness, and that’s exactly what we all did, backing that azz up and bouncing to the beats from the ’99 till forever. 

    Marco Torres

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  • Ivan Cornejo Sings Therapeutic Love Songs in his RodeoHouston Debut

    Ivan Cornejo Sings Therapeutic Love Songs in his RodeoHouston Debut


    Ivan Cornejo
    RodeoHouston
    NRG Stadium
    March 3, 2024

    Most RodeoHouston concerts start off with a bang. Literal explosions of colorful fireworks, a cacophony of music and noise, and brilliant flashes of lights fill the entire stage and arena.

    Sunday evening’s Ivan Cornejo show was the exact opposite. In lieu of the traditional Rodeo concert video intro and pyrotechnic opening, the stage and house lights went dark, and everything was silent. The crowd wriggled in their seats with anticipation, finally letting go of a loud roaring applause when the name “Ivan Cornejo” appeared on the video boards.

    After a few more minutes of silence, the spotlight shined bright on the young 19-year-old singer-songwriter from Riverside, California. He is one of the brightest new stars of the Corrido Tumbado movement, a segment of the Regional Mexicano genre that is experiencing a popularity surge over the last few years.

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    Cornejo is one of the brightest new stars of the Corrido Tumbado movement, a sub-genre of Regional Mexicano music.

    Photo by Jennifer Lake

    Not only was this Cornejo’s RodeoHouston debut, but it was also his first time performing in a stadium. He has been on his “Terapia” Tour since last August, and has been selling out venues, theaters, and arenas, including two sold-out shows at 713 Music Hall back on October.

    Cornejo took to the stage in an all black charro outfit, decorated in gold glitter cacti, fireworks, and Mexican emblems. He strolled around the stage in black pants, shiny Stacy Adams dress shoes, and his signature headband.

    “Como andamos, Houston?!” said Cornejo as he greeted his fans. His voice, movements, and overall demeanor are smooth, warm, and gentle. Throughout the evening he smiled wide and charmed the audience with his soft eyes. “I’m super grateful to be here tonight because Texas always shows love, especially Houston!” he continued.

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    Cornejo played two sold-out shows here in Houston back in October, and this was his RodeoHouston debut.

    Photo by Jennifer Lake

    Most of his set list was full of songs that could be considered as indie/emo, mostly about love and heartbreak, which actually translates perfectly to a country/western/rodeo setting. The crowd joined in by singing the lyrics to most songs, and did so loudly. All the fans who were featured on the video screens were singing passionately at the top of their lungs.

    One of the definitive highlights of the show was when Cornejo and his band played a cover of “Desvelado” by Tejano legend Bobby Pulido. “We added our own little country twist to this cover!” he mentioned after finishing the track. It was absolutely delightful.

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    Ivan Cornejo played many fan favorites and a couple of covers during his RodeoHouston debut.

    Photo by Jennifer Lake

    ‘Before I go, I would like to sing one last song, but please, turn on your flashlights” he requested from the large crowd. They obliged, and filed the room with dazzling lights. Connejo proceeded to sing “La Curiosidad,” one of his biggest hits from his 2022 album Dañado. The crowd went wild, and grooved and sang along at full volume. Near the end of the track, the music shifted into a Reggae cover of Bob Marley’s “Is This Love?” — a perfect ending to a beautiful set.

    As the sun set outside NRG Stadium, Ivan then jumped onto the back of the Ford F-150 truck, armed with a bucket of red roses, and began to throw them one by one to his fans near the arena floor. A superstar in the making, riding off into the sunset.

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    Cornejo is a superstar in the making, with smooth moves, soft voice, and awesome vibes all around.

    Photo by Jennifer Lake

    Marco Torres

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