There’s a magnetism to Carin León that immediately captures your consideration, and his first Boca Chueca Tour date at the United Center in Chicago on Thursday (Sept. 19) was a reminder of how dynamic the Mexican hit-maker may be. Just earlier than 9 p.m., León — clad in denims, a t-shirt, cowboy boots and certainly one of his signature cowboy hats — took over the stage, which he commanded for over two hours, honoring the previous, the current and the way forward for música mexicana and past.

“Tonight, we’re leaving our sorrows behind,” he instructed a multigenerational crowd that mirrored the artist’s cowboy aesthetic. But it was clear that the sorrows would ultimately creep again in at some level through the present since León is a kind of artists that may’t assist however get emotional, particularly when he’s singing a few of his most heartfelt songs that may mend damaged hearts.

Whether you had been prepared or not, León took you on a curler coaster, completely capturing how nuanced regional Mexican music may be. “Genres no longer exist. Borders no longer exist,” he declared. León is amongst a brand new technology of Mexican music artists who’ve clearly defied expectations which have haunted regional Mexican artists for many years — limiting them to some extent.

León, quite the opposite, is fairly limitless and his setlist is a declaration of liberation. With a hefty reside band in tow — that rapidly tailored from banda to norteño to rock and nation — he after all carried out fan favorites together with “Te Lo Agradezco,” “Según Quién,” “The One (Pero No Como Yo),” “Que Vuelvas,” “La Boda del Huitlacoche,” “No Es Por Acá” and “Primera Cita.”

And he additionally paid homage to the artists which have influenced him alongside the way in which, together with Hombres G’s “Te Quiero,” Joan Sebastian’s “Tatuajes,” Banda Zeta’s “La Niña Fresa,” Mi Banda El Mexicano’s “Ramito de Violetas,” Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen The Rain,” and Banda Toro’s “La Noche en Que Chicago Se Murió.”

His versatility, which he placed on full show through the present, is what has made León stand out in a crowded discipline of a brand new wave of Mexican music artists since he had a breakthrough practically 5 years in the past. That and his infectious hip-swiveling cumbia dance strikes and mesmerizing zapateado stomping. Since then, León has solely cemented his standing as some of the thrilling artists of this technology.

“Long live regional Mexican music, Latin music, long live American music,” he mentioned. “At the end of the day, music is what reunited us here tonight.” By this level, León — sporting a Chicago Bulls jersey — had already chugged down some beers and had emptied a Clase Azul tequila bottle, which he took photographs from straight whereas sharing the wealth together with his followers. Throughout the present, he handed over the bottle to somebody on his staff so they might pour tequila in followers’ cups.

“Qué rifados, Chicago,” he mentioned, noting the group’s enthusiasm. “Thank you for always showing up for me.”

León’s back-to-back reveals in Chicago come on the heels of his 4 Latin Grammy nominations, together with album of the 12 months for Boca Chueca, Vol. 1. Produced by CMN and AEG, the trek continues with stops in Washington, D.C., New York, Austin and Nashville.