Pepe Aguilar is all about tradition, Mexican pride and family, and that’s exactly what takes centerstage at his Jaripeo Hasta Los Huesos Tour.
With back-to-back performances by the Aguilar dynasty, including Antonio Aguilar Jr. (Pepe’s brother), and Leonardo and Ángela Aguilar (Pepe’s children), the show is an homage to the legendary Don Antonio Aguilar, who pioneered the jaripeo-style spectacle back in the ’60s alongside singer and actress Flor Silvestre, his wife and mother to Pepe and Antonio Jr.
“Antonio was a visionary,” Pepe said about his father on Friday, July 5, during a tour stop in Chicago’s Allstate Arena. “To present my family and culture in this way is honestly the best. I don’t do these shows for the money. It’s to honor to my parents and pride for my culture.”
Pepe and his son Leonardo further honored Don Antonio by singing “Bandido de Amores,” his collaboration with another late legend, Joan Sebastian, originally recorded more than 30 years ago. The new version, included in Leonardo’s Soy Como Quiero Ser, a tribute album to Sebastian, recently hit No. 1 on Billboard‘s Regional Mexican Airplay chart (dated July 6).
Before singing it alongside Leonardo, Pepe explained the backstory of how the original collaboration came about. “My dad and Joan didn’t get along,” he said candidly. “But I made them get together for a song. I had to do it. I mean I really admired Joan and, well, Antonio was my dad. And now, 30 years later, I record it with my son, and now it’s No. 1 thanks to you all.”
Leonardo and Antonio Jr. each performed a set of approximately 30 minutes before Ángela took the stage to a roaring crowd, riding a majestic white horse as she wore a gorgeous, long black dress adorned with pink, orange and yellow flowers. She sang “Que Agonía” and the fan-favorite “Dime Como Quieres,” her collaboration with recently-confirmed boyfriend Christian Nodal. “I miss you, my love,” she said in the middle of the song.
Inspired by Mexico’s Día de Muertos, the three-hour show — with a 360-degree-style stage filled with altars, catrinas that come to life and colorful Mexican artesanía — features all four artists singing while horseback riding (no easy feat) and charros who literally risk their lives riding bulls. At one point, one of the Mexican cowboys was kicked by the bull he rode for a competition and had to be taken out on a stretcher. Pepe assured concertgoers he was “fine,” adding, “Thank God nothing major happened and we can go on with the show.”
Pepe was the last to take the stage and did it to a packed house filled with multi-generational families who applauded his commitment to put Mexican music, culture and tradition at the forefront of his shows. His children, who had performed him, watched their father from afar in admiration. “I promise to bring you a different show each year if you let me,” Pepe declared.
After an encore show in Chicago on Saturday (July 6), the Jaripeo Hasta Los Huesos Tour continues with two back-to-back stops in Los Angeles on July 13-14.