Peso Pluma is on a mission of reinvention. He hit the scene in 2022 with extravagant tracks glorifying narco culture, leaning on the the tumbado (more trap, laid back influence) and belico styles (more tactical, cartel centric style) of the modern narco-corrido genre. But as proven with his collaborative album Dinastia, he and his songwriter cousin Tito Double P are set to cleanse the themes of crime and drug trafficking out of their music and focus on the romantic, family and personal success, all while maintaining the confident tone and instrumentation that catapulted them to stardom.
The last time Peso Pluma performed at Toyota center was in 2024, back when he still sported the mullet-like hairstyle and wore a mask during songs. Last night we saw an artist with a tight haircut and supreme confidence, no mask, no more hiding, only joyful appreciation towards the fans around him. The show was nearly sold-out, with only a few sections behind the main stage blocked off due to lack of visibility. Those who were in attendance made this one of the loudest shows I’ve ever experience at Toyota Center.
The show started late around 9:30 p.m., and it began with a video feed of Pluma and Tito walking into the arena from the loading dock and through the hallways all the way to the stage, drinks in hand. The intro song was “N.I.B.” by Black Sabbath which coincides with Peso’s eclectic musical tastes and influences.
The show was divided into six acts: two as a duo, one for Tito on the main stage, one for Peso on the main stage, one for friends and special guests, and the last for Peso on the B-stage. Each section shifted the mood and lighting to reflect the mood, but they all kept the crowd singing along and cheering throughout the night.
The opening section featured songs from the new album. We heard “7-3”, “Trucha” and “Chiclona” before Tito began his mini-solo set. The chemistry between Peso and Tito is obvious, and not only because they are family, but they are also locked in artistically. Tito’s shift from songwriter to artist has been a joy to witness, and his demeanor complements Peso’s perfectly.
The cousins were accompanied by a crew of musicians and dancers on stage, adding to the theatrics of the show. The bajo sexto, tololoche (a Mexican variant of the upright double bass) and the brass instruments kept the music both in step and energetic, but also allowing an almost symphonic sound that fed to the grandeur of the night.
Special guests included sirreño singer Julian Mercado, Texas rapper The Mexican OT, and reggaeton artist Ryan Castro. As the show moved toward the B-Stage at the rear of the basketball court, green lasers and pyrotechnic flames spewed from the rafters adding to the upbeat party atmosphere. Chants of “Peso! Peso! Peso!” rung out from the audience to show the appreciation for the headliner.
The night ended for me somewhere around Act V after hearing crowd favorites “Lady Gaga” and “AMG.” As much as I wanted to stay around to hear “Ella Baila Sola” and more music from Dinastia, it was now well past my bedtime and the days of me staying up past midnight are no longer a reality.
I will let the young cats like Peso Pluma continue the party in my honor.
¡Viva Mexico Cabrones!
