Los Aguilar give mixed message of unity at the Hollywood Bowl

After two decades at the historic Hollywood Bowl, iconic Mexican singer Pepe Aguilar performed for two nights on August 15 and 16, accompanied by his two children, Angela and Leonardo. 

Senior Aguilar sang some of his best songs to the rhythm of mariachi and the Hollywood Bowl Philharmonic orchestra while also sending a message of unity to the crowd.

During the Friday show, Leonardo paid homage to his grandfather, the iconic Antonio Aguilar, with songs like "El Moro de Cumpas" and “El Barzón,” while Angela sang “Cielo Rojo” in honor of her grandmother Flor Silvestre. 

Both young singers expressed their empathy and support for the immigrant community while thousands of people cheered in approval. 

Leonardo – who also celebrated his birthday on Friday – sang “Viva Mexico” with iconic images of Mexican architecture projected on the Hollywood Bowl arch. Meanwhile, Angela dedicated the song “Cielito Lindo” to immigrants while images of the recent raids appeared, as well as the phrase “Solo el Pueblo Salva al Pueblo” (Only the people save the people). 

Message of unity with mixed emotions 

Pepe openly spoke about the current immigration situation, which caused excitement and controversy. In between songs, he paused to recognize the hard work of the immigrant community.

While reminding everyone that he is not and will never be a politician – and his job is to sing and connect with people – he said he hopes this moment of turmoil and what he called “unbalanced crisis” ends soon. 

“I agree one hundred percent that we have to respect the law, but we also have to respect human dignity,” he said. 

Pepe said people should stop fighting one another and follow his father’s wise words, “No te preocupes. Ocupate.” (Don’t worry, get busy). 

“Let’s do things legally so there is no f*** pretext. Let’s do it legally, so we are really part of this wonderful country that was built with laws and will continue strong for the same reason,” he said. “That’s why the Statue of Liberty says, ‘With this flame I'll light all of those who don’t have a place to go and can come to work and make this country greater with their work’. That's why Vivan los migrantes, viva México, vivan los Estados Unidos.” 

After the Los Aguilar concert, social media influencers and other people shared their mixed feelings on the topic. 

Nodal appearance

While Friday’s closing involved a series of fireworks that lit the sky as if it was Fourth of July, during the Saturday performance, the closing also brought an expected guest: Christian Nodal, Angela Aguilar’s husband.

Pepe, accompanied by Angela and Leonardo, called Nodal on stage to acknowledge his presence and invited him to sing a song. People cheered with excitement while Nodal sang “Probablemente.”