Carin León’s charisma will instantly grab your attention, and his debut Boca Chueca tour stop on Thursday (September 19) at Chicago’s United Center served as a reminder that the Mexican How dynamic the hit music producer is. Dressed in jeans, a T-shirt, cowboy boots and one of his signature cowboy hats, Leon took over the stage just before 9 p.m. and conducted for more than two hours, paying tribute to the past, present and future of music in Mexico and other areas.
“Tonight, we’re leaving our sorrow behind,” he told the multigenerational crowd, which reflected the artist’s cowboy aesthetic. But it’s clear that sadness will eventually resurface at some point during the show, as Leon is one of those artists who can’t help but get emotional, especially when he’s singing some of the most heartfelt songs that can heal a broken heart.
Whether you’re ready or not, Leon will take you on a roller coaster ride, perfectly capturing the subtleties of regional Mexican music. “Genres no longer exist. Boundaries no longer exist,” he declared. Leon is one of a new generation of Mexican musical artists who are clearly defying the expectations that have plagued regional Mexican artists for decades, limiting them to some degree.
Instead, Leon is limitless and his playlist is a declaration of liberation. Accompanied by a strong live band – from Banda Norte to rock and country – he certainly performed fan favorites including “Te Lo Agradezco,” “Según Qui,” “The One (Pero No Como Yo)”, “Que Vuelvas”, “La Boda del Huitlacoche”, “No Es Por Acá” and “Primera Cita”.
He also pays homage to artists who have influenced him along the way, including 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 Muió”.
Since his breakthrough nearly five years ago, Leon has showcased his versatility in performances that make him stand out in a crowded field of Mexico’s new wave of musical artists. That and his infectious hip-swirling cumbia dance moves are mesmerizing tap dance Stomp your feet. Since then, Leon has further cemented his status as one of the most exciting artists of his generation.
“Long live Mexican regional music, Latin music, American music,” he said. “At the end of the day, music is why we’re back together tonight.” By this time, Leon, wearing a Chicago Bulls jersey, had downed some beers and finished a bottle of Clase Azul tequila, which he drank straight from the bottle. I had a few drinks while sharing the wealth with the fans. Throughout the show, he handed bottles to someone on the team so they could pour the tequila into fans’ glasses.
“What a drawChicago,” he said, noting the crowd’s enthusiasm. “Thank you for always being there for me.”
Leon’s back-to-back shows in Chicago were followed by four Latin Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year Boca Chueca, Volume 1. Produced by CMN and AEG, the tour continues with stops in Washington, D.C., New York, Austin and Nashville.
