A day with Los Tigres del Norte

It was a sunny and humid September day in Villahermosa, southeast México. The city was preparing its festivities for Independence day. It was 2008. I was there for work and had no plans, so my options for that night started reducing to ordering food and watching a movie.

As I was heading home, I got a call from my mother. My family had recently been on a cruise. On that trip, members of Los Tigres del Norte, one of Mexico's most successful regional bands, were also there. "I called Olegario, the band's manager; they want to say hi." That's the type of thing mothers do, don't they?

Although not my primary genre, regional and Norteño music is part of all of us in Mexico. Growing up, listening to Los Tigres del Norte was unavoidable. They wrote hit after hit consistently throughout the years and were played on many radio stations. Their tunes are also incredibly catchy; everyone in Mexico knows at least a few.

So when I got the opportunity to meet them, I couldn't say no.

I drove to their hotel and met Olegario. Olegario is one of those people who makes things happen. He is in their management team and, as I grew to understand, like another member of the band. We had a quick chat before being joined by Jorge, one of the leaders and founding members of the band. We all connected and started sharing stories and anecdotes. It was such a nice and comfortable time! That's how these guys make you feel like you are a part of their family. A 2-minute greeting turned into a two-hour conversation.

As I prepared to thank them and go on my way, Jorge and Olegario asked if I had any plans for that night. When I mentioned a movie on my watch list, he immediately said, "You should come with us!" I complied, and we agreed to meet at 8 pm in their lobby.

I was there 10 minutes before the hour. I didn't know how this would go, so I was cautious. One by one, each member of the band came to the lobby. Once they were all there, Olegario came by. He said that the transport was ready, so we were good to go.

"Are we ready?" asked Jorge. As the band started to walk out of the hotel in a "V" formation, I walked behind them. Suddenly, they all looked at me: "Please, Enrique, lead us," they ordered. I did and proceeded to have one of the coolest moments of my life. It was like that play from the Mighty Ducks, except these weren't fictional high school hockey players; these were the members of one of Mexico's most successful bands. And this wasn't a movie; this was real life.

As we walked, the hotel's staff formed a line through the hallway. They were wishing us… well, they were wishing them luck. We walked out into a van and headed to the central plaza where they would be headlining the state's Independence Day festivities.

On our way, Jorge warned, "We will begin warming up… Don't get spooked." I was a bit confused. Suddenly, a symphony of what I could only think was a range of feline sounds filled the air. I'd never experienced something like that, but I admit I've since employed that strategy a few times to warm up my voice whenever I speak in public.

As we approached the plaza, we could see thousands of people arriving. Hundreds of military were also guarding the place. When we got to the destination, the doors opened, and we were led to the backstage room set up for them. On our way, some fans were waiting for a meet and greet. Excited as they were, they asked for a picture with... ME. I mentioned I was not a band member, but their adrenaline blocked my words. I took my first and only photo with fans… even if they were not mine.

We entered the backstage room, and there were tables full of snacks, food, refreshments, and ice-cold beers. As Los Tigres prepared for the show and dressed in their traditional suits, I enjoyed a cold one, still trying to understand the surrealness of it all.

It was time for the show. The band prepared to walk on stage as a presenter hyped the crowd. Just a few seconds before, so much rain started pouring that the show had to be paused. Everyone ran for cover, and the plaza cleared out, except for a few hardcore fans who didn't mind getting soaked. The rain lasted about half an hour before it toned down, and everyone started getting back into position.

Nearly one hour after the original starting hour, it was time. The presenter re-introduced the band, and they made their way onto the stage. The rain had not only not cooled the crowd down, but it also made it more anxious. The public erupted as the band started their opening act, and everyone in the plaza began singing their songs.

During the concert, I was on the side of the stage enjoying the show. I realized I knew many more songs than I realized. At one point, Olegario asked me to go on stage to take a picture. I walked the steps and got into a corner to get a photo. "A bit more inside, Enrique. Don't be scared," he said. I walked a little further onto the stage, to the strange look of some fans in the crowd; I could only imagine them thinking, "Who the hell is that guy on the stage?"

A typical concert will run for more or less two hours. Not a Los Tigres del Norte show. These guys know their crowd, and they know their business. They understand that their customers are in front of them and, as the old saying goes, "Give the customer what the customer wants." So they do; they ask the crowd for the next song to play, and they receive pieces of paper with requested songs and, sometimes, dedications. So they sing, sometimes into the morning, to please their fans. It is a unique experience.

In this case, the show must have ended at about 1 am. After that, the band changed back to their regular clothing, and we got into the van, back to the hotel. When we arrived, I was ready to say thanks and goodbye. During that time, many fans came by asking for a photo. They treated each of them as if they were the only person in the room, listening to what they had to say about their anecdotes about Los Tigres del Norte's music.

The 2-minute goodbye turned into another couple hours of friendly chat with Jorge, Olegario, and other band members. I thanked them again; they walked with me back to my car, and I drove back to my place, thinking this had all been a dream.

I've met Los Tigres a few times after that experience. Every time they are as warm, enthusiastic, and educated as the first one. Every time I am still learning something about them.

Their evident traits as good people and people in business have gotten them to where they are. They have been active and prosperous for over six decades, and I am sure they will go down in history as one of the most successful regional bands of our era and an example of where hard work and work ethic can take an enterprise, no matter the industry.