Metallica played their first concert in Mexico City in seven years on Friday (September 20), and the band's bassist Robert Trujillo took the opportunity to pay homage to his Mexican roots by performing a strange song: 'La Chona' , by famous corrido group Los Tucanes de Tijuana.
“This is a great party,” Trujillo told the 65,000 people who packed GNP Seguros Stadium in Spanish, according to organizer Ocesa. “It is an honor to be here with all of you, in his spirit 72 seasons. Kirk [Hammett] and I'll play something for you all. We are very nervous, so if you know this song, please help us by singing it.”
Immediately, they began playing the first chords of the classic from Los Tucanes de Tijuana, featured on their 1995 album, I Robaste El Corazónwhich has crossed several generations in Mexico and the USA
Metallica fans' long hair swung to the northern beat while Trujillo and Hammett, Metallica's guitarist, swayed to the surprise and applause of much of the audience. The bass player, who wore a traditional mariachi hat several times during the evening, took over the vocals.
The moment quickly went viral on social media, where users celebrated the rock band's gesture to their Mexican fans. “La Chona is a national heritage and Metallica knows it,” the user wrote @virian_avaa on X's account. “The most surreal thing, Metallica playing La Chona,” the user added @Amackdiel. Both posted videos of the moment.
Metallica play four shows in Mexico City as part of their M72 World tour in support of their 2023 album 72 seasons. The next shows at the GNP Seguros stadium are scheduled for Sunday (September 22) and September 27 and 29.
Metallica's history with Mexico began three decades ago with their tour Black album (1991), which included five dates at the Palacio de los Deportes in 1993. Since then, the band has maintained a very close relationship with the country, where they recorded their live DVD Orgullo, Pasión y Gloria (2009), depicting three spectacular nights at the Foro Sol (now GNP Seguros Stadium) in June 2009.
Metallica's production team filmed the entire show on Friday and, according to the Mexican newspaper tour-en-cdmx/ar2877188″>Reforma, next week he will do special shoots in tourist spots such as Teotihuacán, the Historic Center, Chapultepec, Coyoacán and San Ángel.
Watch Trujillo and Hammett perform “La Chona” below.
Billboard Latin Music Week returns to Miami Beach October 14-18, with confirmed superstars such as Gloria Estefan, Alejandro Sanz and Peso Pluma, among many others. For tickets and more details, visit BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.
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