Grupo Frontera
Go Tejano Day
RodeoHouston
NRG Stadium
March 16, 2025
Thirty-two years ago, Martha Leal de Cantú made the trip from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon in Mexico to attend RodeoHouston. She has joyful memories of the music, the people, and the food. She was a couple of months pregnant at the time, and always dreamed of returning to the rodeo with her son so that he might experience the same happiness she felt at Go Tejano Day.
Her son grew up to be Juan Javier Cantú, who started the band Grupo Frontera, one of the biggest names in the Tejano/Regional Mexican genre, who have risen to worldwide popularity since their inception in 2022. Juan is the accordion player for the group, and also serves as the second vocalist.
As the fireworks popped off and the pyrotechnics burned high at the beginning the their set, Frontera gathered on the massive RodeoHouston star stage Sunday and overlooked the 70,000 plus fans who anxiously awaited the show. You could see how special this was for each band member.
“Our first sold out show ever was right here in Houston” said lead singer Adelaido “Payo” Solís. “It was at Rodeo Disco, and now we are here at another sold-out show, but this time at RodeoHouston!”
The evening set list kicked off with the track “Tulum”, a collaboration between Frontera and Mexican singer/rapper Peso Pluma. The mood of the song is upbeat and supremely catchy, much like the rest of Grupo Frontera’s catalogue.
The audience was full of couples, girlfriend groups and vatos locos, and lots of families. Many stayed standing throughout most of the show, singing and dancing in their seats and in the aisles. The opening set of songs included “Di Que Si,, “De Lunes a Lunes” and “ALV.”
“As you guys know, we have a few new songs with Fuerza Regida, and we would like to play two of them for you right now” Payo announced to the audience. The band’s career really took off back in 2022 with the viral hit “Bebe Dame” with Fuerza Regida.
Their latest collaboration includes the standout tracks “Me Jalo” and “Coqueta.” Band members each stood on a leg of the star stage as it was elevated high above the dirt on the arena floor. It was a joy to see and hear these songs live for the first time, and I definitely enjoyed this portion of the show while I danced in my seat trying hard not to embarrass myself.
Conga player and hype man Julian Peña Jr. led the crowd in a call and response of the band’s signature tagline: “Esto es…. Grupo, Frontera!” The band looked really cool in their black leather outfits, accented with red and white patches. They might be a Tejano band, but they have the energy of bonafide rock stars.
As the evening came to a close, the band asked their fans to turn on their cell phone flash. “Que se vea todo Texas!” yelled Payo as the entire audience complied, filling the stadium with a sea of dancing lights.
“Follow your dreams!” continued Payo. “Si se puede! If 5 or 6 vatos from McAllen can do it, you can do it too!” The night ended with “unX100to”, the song that features Bad Bunny. “Esta es la cancion de sueños!” (This is the song of our dreams.)
One mother dreamed to return to RodeoHouston, and she finally did to see her son and his band on center stage.
By the way… The band that played in 1993 for Go Tejano Day: Selena y Los Dinos.
Long live Tejano music!
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2025.
