Maná made its grand return to Tecate Pa’l Norte on Sunday, March 31 after headlining the festival in 2017.
The iconic Mexican rock band took the Tecate Light stage at 8:30p.m. to a sea of fans that crowded around the main stage. “Monterrey, Monterrey, Monterrey. What a great night, we missed you so much,” the band’s frontman, Fher OIvera, said. “Historically, Monterrey has been a strong connection for Maná. We have performed many concerts here since we launched our career and would sing at nightclubs and now look at how many people are here,” he added, acknowledging the festival’s 100,000 in attendance.
As in all of their shows, Maná gives fans exactly what they want, sticking to a setlist that includes the songs — many of which turned into anthems throughout the years — that made them Latin America’s favorite rock band. And you can always count on the band to perform all its hits, taking old and new fans alike down memory lane with songs like “Vivir Sin Aire,” “Oye Mi Amor,” “Me Vale,” “En El Muelle de San Blas” and “Rayando El Sol.”
You can also always count on Olvera’s candidness. “Se nos está colando el reggaetón aquí y eso no está chido (which loosely translates to reggeatón is spilling over and that’s not cool). So, you have to sing really loud so we don’t listen to that over here,” he said, making it very clear, once again, that he’s not the biggest reggaetón fan (which he mentioned in Maná’s February Billboard Español digital cover story).
Between songs, Olvera also encouraged fans to vote for the politicians who “know how to protect Earth.” And to leave behind a clean planet for the next generation. A message that aligns with their efforts to flight climate change. The poignant words preceded its socially conscious “¿Dónde Jugarán Los Niños?” song from the ’90s.
Maná’s setlist also included other hits like “Manda Una Señal,” “Corazón Espinado,” “Ángel de Amor,” “Labios Compartidos” and “Mariposa Traicionera.”
The third and last day of the festival also featured sets by Santa Fe Klan, Mario Bautista, Lola Índigo, Gale, Álvaro Díaz, Enanitos Verdes, Elena Rose, The Warning, and Imagine Dragons, the main stage closing act. Meanwhile, Fuerza Regida closed out the Tecate Original stage.
