In the musical landscape, narcos corridos, or drug ballads, could be considered fundamental “gangsta rap,” as proved Friday night at the National Western Complex. Writing “Narcos Corridos” is a tough business — just look at Sergio “El Shaka” Vega who was gunned down on a Mexican highway while on tour. El Shaka had denied any ties to the drug trade, but the love for the business ultimately did him in.
Still, Los Tigres have worked immensely hard to not be pigeonholed into the “Narcos Corridos” department. Their music speaks profoundly of the hard-working Mexican class that is living in the United States to seek a better life than the one they left behind. It is rooted in a genuine nostalgia for their beloved Mexico, as well as a sense of loss and strife that speaks to the everyday person.
Los Tigres quickly enthralled the crowd with their somber number, “Le Compré La Muerte A Mi Hijo (I Purchased My Son’s Death),” a ballad that speaks of a proud father that fulfills a dream to purchase his son’s first car — a gorgeous Camaro that ultimately ends in the death of his 15-year-old son. Despite the tragic content of their material, the raucous boot-scootin’ music typically sends adoring crowds to dance the night away.
The Friday night show was marketed as a “baile” (dance) that typically allows ample room for dancing, however, the massive turnout crushed such an idea.
Amongst the many fans that turned out, Denver interim mayor Bill Vidal was on hand to help proclaim this, if jokingly, “Los Tigres Del Norte Day.” Sadly, the terrible sound fell flat no matter where one was standing — front, center, rear or side. However, the poor acoustics in the unfit venue were not a reflection of the Tigres. The seasoned veterans of the norteño music scene rose to the occasion and performed as if it were their first tour still pining for approval. The quintet bucked up their set with crowd pleasers like “La Tumba Falsa (Fake Tomb)” and “La Banda del Carro Rojo (The Red Car Band).”
“No Pude Enamorarme Más (I Can’t Fall in Love Anymore)” brought dueling accordions on stage that sent the caballeros (gentlemen) in the audience to grab the beverage of choice, toast to the night and vow not to be crossed by future love on the horizon. The Modelo Especial flowed abundantly Friday night, so much in fact that “La Puerta Negra (the Black Door)” turned into a mass sing-a-long, making everyone forget the previous nights of chill air on this celebratory weekend.
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Julio Enriquez is a Denver writer and photographer, editor of the blog and a regular contributor to Reverb.
