As Saúl Hernández, lead singer of Caifanes, gazed into the crowd during the hit song “Afuera” from the revered 1994 record “El Nervio Del Volcán,” a wave of gratitude and humility seemed to wash over him. The colossal screens at the sold-out Hollywood Bowl show on Wednesday, June 5, zoomed in, capturing the raw emotions etched on Hernández’s face. Nearly in tears, he bowed slowly, hands in prayer by the crown of his head, thanking the crowd of Angelenos on a night now etched in the band’s storied history.
What followed over the course of the hour-long set was nothing short of a fiesta that stretched into the night, a vibrant celebration akin to a sunny Sunday carne asada party with beloved family. Couples canoodled and families gathered, each bringing their own snacks and drinks, knitting together an atmosphere of a joyous family reunion.
For one evening, the Hollywood Bowl became a haven of unity and celebration. Luis Caron, an audience member from Whittier, California, even joked about the odds of his tia knowing someone else’s tia, perfectly capturing the tight-knit feeling that permeates Latino communities across California.
Whether perched high at the top of the Bowl or nestled in the terrace and garden boxes at the front, the energy was infectious. The crowd from every corner of the venue was dancing—immersed in bachata, salsa, or simply jumping up and down with pure, unbridled passion.
Even Hernández couldn’t resist the magic. There were times he paused mid-song just to look at the crowd for a minute or two, a smile stretching across his face. Caifanes and Café Tacvba didn’t just perform; the evening seemed to resonate deeply, binding everyone in a shared celebration of rock en español.
Before Caifanes took the spotlight, Café Tacvba, the iconic alternative rock ensemble from Mexico City took the audience on a musical odyssey, each of their tracks seamlessly melding into the next. Fan favorites like “Como te extraño mi amor,” “La Ingrata(o),” and “Quiero ver” reverberated through the nearly 17,000 fans in attendance, sparking a communal fervor that paved the way for the night’s unfolding magic.
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“Nothing is better than being able to catch two bands that raised me, and it’s funny because my mom and dad love them just as much. They introduced me to this genre and it has always stayed as one of my favorites, and I know at some point that cycle will begin with my kids,” Kiki Santiago, resident of Highland Park, shared while seated with her parents who drove in from San Bernardino County.
Meanwhile, Café Tacvba’s lead singer, Rubén Ortega, ventured into the crowd, inviting audience members to join in on a rendition of “La chica banda.”
“This is a special moment, this is a special night, one we won’t forget, we’re in Los Angeles with all of you,” Ortega’s voice projected through the Bowl in Spanish. Suddenly, he had a sizable stick of sage in his hand, igniting it with a lighter from his front pocket. He waved it through the air with a sweeping motion. The chant “viva la Mexico” echoed in unison from every corner of the venue.
As Café Tacvba wrapped up, Caifanes wasted no time taking the stage. The crowd was primed for another hour of music, and even before the first chord, cheers filled the air, phones poised to capture the moment. It was Caifanes’ first time at the Hollywood Bowl, yet they moved as if they’d owned the stage for years.
The band launched into their set with two beloved tracks from the critically acclaimed 1992 album “El Silencio”: “Nubes” and “Para que no Digas que no Pienso en Tí.”
From there, it was a whirlwind of Caifanes’ greatest hits and fan favorites. Fans danced sporting denim and leather jackets adorned with the band’s name on the back in red, embellished with the iconic Aztec-like print featuring a jaguar.
Hernández appeared effortlessly cool, dressed head-to-toe in black, sporting a long trench coat, a cheetah print scarf wrapped around his neck, complemented by a few silver necklaces and black boots. The band, whose members are in their 60s, continue to exude both style and talent, a fact not lost on audience members like Sanelly Nadia, who traveled all the way from Sacramento to catch the show.
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“There are so many times I’ve gone to shows and bands have lost that energy or even sound that they once had years back, but that’s not the case with Caifanes,” Nadia said. “It’s like they stayed in a time capsule and kept the same feeling they did years ago. I saw them back in 2012, and nothing has changed. I think that’s why they’ll always be so special to me.”
During songs like “Viento” and “Miedo,” nostalgia enveloped both the band members and the crowd.
After finishing “Detrás de los Cerros,” a track from his secondary rock project Jaguares, Hernández sweetly addressed the audience through the microphone. “Everyone is here, from mothers and grandmothers to children and spouses. Our music spans decades, and we’re happy to be here all together celebrating what Mexican rock can do.”
In the end, as the audience yelled for more, the five-piece happily obliged with a three-song encore. Throughout the performance, the prevailing theme echoed one of family, unity, and the enduring power of rock en español. For Caifanes, it’s not merely about the accolades but rather the enduring spirit of connection.
Caifanes and Café Tacvba: Hollywood Bowl
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 5
Where: Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave, Los Angeles
