No matter what generation you come from, if you’re in any way familiar with regional Mexican music like mariachi and bolero, then the Aguilar name should ring a bell. Pepe, Ángela, and Leonardo Aguilar’s show, complete with the Hollywood Bowl orchestra conducted by Enrico Lopez-Yañez and a fireworks finale, will be coming to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, Aug. 15 and Saturday, Aug. 16. Tickets start at $18, but be on the lookout for a Grimy Goods ticket giveaway. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram to be among the first to know when we drop the giveaway.

A music family dynasty

It all began with Antonio Aguilar, otherwise known as El Charro de México, or Mexico’s cowboy. A musician and actor, he became a recognizable face internationally during the mid-20th century, representing Mexico wherever he went. Whether it was popularizing la charrería, starring in over 120 films, or selling out Madison Square Garden, few iconic musicians from Mexico could match up to his accomplishments.

Pepe would follow his father’s footsteps when it came to music, winning four Grammys and similarly becoming synonymous with regional Mexican music, before his children Ángela and Leonardo would establish their own careers. Both of them would begin their careers as a duo before branching off, picking up multiple Latin Grammy nominations and continuing the family tradition of keeping bolero, mariachi, and other genres alive.

However, all of them never lost sight of the importance of their family name, having remained faithful to the music that catapulted Antonio and made him a touchstone in 20th-century Mexican culture.

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Regional music through and through

While no genre could possibly represent all of Mexico, Los Aguilar covers several bases when it comes to the many styles of Mexican music. In Pepe’s case, his music is the closest to Antonio’s music, who was especially revered for his contributions to banda, corridos, and several other genres.

Since the start of his career, Pepe has made it a point to combine contemporary pop sensibilities with the sounds of banda and mariachi, among other regional Mexican variants. He soon made a name for himself in the zeitgeist thanks to his ability to take classic Mexican songs and rhythms in an effort to update them for a modern audience who weren’t accustomed to the music his father popularized.

Ángela and Leonardo would do the same. For the former, she also knew how to update classic songs – her best-known being “La Llorona” – while also injecting new sounds by working with artists such as Steve Aoki and Alicia Keys. Leonardo would do the same, finding his niche in norteño and winning Latin Grammys.

Celebration of everything Mexican and Latine

When your family’s patriarch is synonymous with Mexico, having pioneered its culture through music, movies, and sports, it’s nearly impossible to separate yourself from that legacy. Luckily, two generations later, Antonio’s family has followed those steps in stride, arriving at a time when that culture is under attack.

In light of the displacement and struggles families of mixed-citizenship status have undergone in the United States, embracing your culture, let alone celebrating it, might seem like the last priority (for some). However, it can also be a form of protest, where that pride shines through the doom and gloom currently flooding the news.

And while Los Aguilar is indeed celebrating Mexican culture, their show also serves as a chance to let go of those worries. Even if you are not Mexican, Latine, or of an immigrant background, opening yourself up to a culture through its music is itself a form of solidarity. It’s also the group’s sensational music that you’ll realize is hard to resist.

Setting up the best evening for yourself

With a concert like this, you’re going to want a carefree evening full of dancing and letting loose. To ensure you get the most out of your time with Los Aguilar, we suggest getting to the Hollywood Bowl around the time when gates open at 6:00 PM. Admittedly, traffic may affect your commute, given it’s a Friday. If you’re looking for alternatives, the Bowl also offers shuttles, parking, and other options.

By getting there early, you can stock up on concessions before the musicians take the stage. However, there are other options when it comes to food and drinks. Like The Ford, the Hollywood Bowl allows outside drinks, snacks, and meals, so long as it’s within their rules. For more on that, you can find everything here.

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There’s still half a year left, which means there’s a lot more shows lined up at the Hollywood Bowl. See some of composer John Williams’ most legendary film scores during his three-night stay on Aug. 22, 23, and 24. For one of the year’s biggest crossovers, Angélique Kidjo and Yo-Yo Ma will be playing at the Bowl on Aug. 28. If you’re in an ‘80s mood, then be sure to catch Cyndi Lauper on Aug. 29 and 30.