Fuerza Regida, the acclaimed Mexican-American band hailing from San Bernardino, California, exhibited remarkable artistry and dynamic stage presence on its “Pero No Te Enamores” show inside a packed Amalie Arena last Saturday.
The genre of “Música regional Mexicana” has witnessed a meteoric rise in popularity over recent years, with artists like Grupo Frontera, Peso Pluma, Eslabón Armado, and Natanael Cano dominating the airwaves, streaming platforms, and social media. Fuerza Regida, one of the genre’s preeminent acts, adeptly fuses traditional Mexican storytelling with urban hip-hop and trap rap elements, crafting wildly popular anthems that narrate tales from the hood, spanning from the cartel-heavy states of Mexico to the dangerous barrios of San Bernardino and beyond.
As the lights dimmed, a highlight reel of recent performances was projected onto the arena’s jumbotron. With the short film’s progression, the anticipation became palpable as scenes of the band’s success and achievements flashed quickly, interspersed with clips of downtown Tampa, amplifying the controlled chaos. Rising through the floor of the square stage, placed smack dab in the middle of the arena for an in-the-round show, the band members, clad in simple, all-black designer outfits, signaled for more cheers from the already enthusiastic audience. The arena erupted once again as Fuerza’s charismatic lead singer, Jesus Ortiz Paz, otherwise known as J.O.P., ascended from beneath the stage, bathed in a cascade of colorful spotlights. J.O.P.—with his affable attitude and swaggy demeanor—sported an all-black fit with added flair featuring a Louis Vuitton hat and fishnet cardigan atop leather jeans, and a bedazzled belt. Without speaking a word, the bonafide rock star commenced the show, launching directly into the hit song, “Igualito A Mi Apa.” As the opening notes played, the iPhones emerged and remained in hand for the next three hours.
The setlist commenced with vigor, featuring hits like “Tu Name,” “Dijieron Que No La Iba Lograr,” and “Ch y La Pizza,” with the band members wielding a bajo sexto guitar, a traditional acoustic guitar, a stand-up bass, and a sousaphone. The expansive stage was illuminated from above and below, with spotlights and lasers accentuating J.O.P.’s movements as he danced from end to end, skillfully dodging pyro and CO2 cannons along the way.
The setlist officially listed 35 songs, although Fuerza Regida incorporated several surprises, most notably covers of “Desvelado” by Bobby Pulido, “Hey There Delilah” by The Plain White T’s, and “Disculpe Usted” by Los Humildes. Throughout the concert, Fuerza Regida showcased their versatility, seamlessly transitioning between various styles within the Regional Mexican genre, from high-energy raps that incited moshing and fervent singing like “Brillarosa” and “Que Onda”, to heartfelt ballads that brought tears to many eyes like “Se Acabo” and “Una Cerveza.”
As the night progressed, it became evident that Fuerza Regida was not merely performing for the audience; they were sharing a piece of their souls. The emotion embedded in their songs resonated deeply with the crowd, forging profound connections through the lyrics. Hit song “Crazyz” epitomized this emotional depth, it’s poignant narrative yielding word for word participation from the audience.
As the concert drew to a close, the night would have been incomplete without the rendition of “Bebe Dame,” the song that catapulted Fuerza Regida to fame alongside genre mates, Grupo Frontera. Amidst thunderous applause, Fuerza Regida left nothing to be desired and expressed heartfelt gratitude to fans for their unwavering support as they descended back beneath the stage. The band left nothing to be desired, and as they continue their extensive 30-stop tour, their talent and representation of Latinx culture will continue cultivating steadfast support and community, while bolstering an emerging genre poised to dominate the airwaves.
