Bésame Mucho: 11 can’t-miss artists at the inaugural festival at Dodger Stadium

The inaugural Bésame Mucho Festival is coming to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, Dec. 3 and it’s equally nostalgic for parents and tíos as it is for the younger Latino crowd.

The eclectic lineup caters to those who listen to a bit of everything — from regional Mexican, cumbia and merengue to rock en Español — and it’s all packed into this single-day event that plays out across three stages: The Rockero, Las Clásicas and Te Gusta El Pop? (You Like Pop?) stages.

With its stacked, multigenerational roster, it’s not surprising that this festival has caught the attention of different age groups of Latinos and quickly sold-out after being announced. There is currently a wait list option at besamemuchofestival.com for those still hoping to score tickets.

For those that are going, we’ve broken down some of the acts representing the best of the distinguished genres, the living legends and pointed out where the mosh pits might be.

Rock en Español

Caifanes

When the mid-’80s explosion of rock en Español hit in Mexico City, Caifanes was there. By infusing different palettes of texture — new wave, post-punk, goth, and synth-pop — Caifanes, in turn, became one of the leading Mexican rock ‘n’ roll pioneers. Shortly after the quick global rise, the band called it quits in 1995, but reformed in 2011. The rockers will probably play some of its biggest hits, including “Afuera,” “Viento” and “No Dejes Que.” If you’re a dedicated fan of The Smiths, The Cure or even Morrissey, this is where you’ll need to be.

Café Tacvba 

For more than a quarter century, the quartet has been on the forefront Latin alternative music. Formed in the outskirts of Mexico City, Café Tacvba’s 1994 album, “Re,” defined a pivotal moment in the rise of rock in Latin America, with the mere focus on pop ballads, punk rhythms and corrido lyricism. The United States has Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chilli Peppers; Mexico has Café Tacvba.

Julieta Venegas 

For more than 20 years, singer-songwriter Julieta Venegas has been one of the most renowned Latinas in rock en Español. But effortlessly, the Long Beach-raised artist has jumped into new domains like alternative pop to experiment with new sounds. Recently, Venegas collaborated with rising superstar Bad Bunny on “Lo Siento BB:/,” the catchy reggaeton ballad that’s amassed over 600 million online streams.

Get in the Pit

Tijuana No!

Tijuana, Mexico ska punk band Tijuana No! was influenced by punk rock greats like The Clash, Dead Kennedys and Sex Pistols. Formed by keyboardist and vocalist Ceci Bastida, the band represents the best of traditional Mexican music and punk, writing mainly about the inequalities of being Latino and indigenous. Though the band has been on hiatus since 2002, some original members will reunite at Bésame Mucho.

Inspector

Inspector is another ska act that will have you dancing or skanking in the pit. Formed in 1995, Inspector blends Mexican pop with ska and reggae music. The group has been a part of the mid-’90s music movement avanzada regia that gave rise to pop-rock acts in Monterrey, Mexico since its conception. During the movement, Inspector completed multiple tours through Latin America, earning them a Lo Nuestro Award award for Best New Group.

Panteón Rococó

One of the most symbolic Mexico City-bred ska bands, Panteón Rococó is more than just lyrics and a good reggae beat to skank to. Since its start in the ’90s, Rococó has sung about the highs and lows of Mexico, the Tlatelolco massacre and the killings in Chiapas. And while some tracks like “La Dosis Perfecta” and “Vendedora de Caricias” were released in 1999, the messages are still relevant today. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the group and it also celebrated becoming the first Latin American band to fill the largest stadium in Mexico City in 2022, performing for 20,000 fans at Arena de la Ciudad de México.

Las Clásicas

Los Ángeles Azules

Hailing from Iztapalapa, a region in Mexico City, Los Ángeles Azules are the true ambassadors of cumbia. The six-sibling Mexican troupe began in 1980 and didn’t find success internationally until 1997. The Azules are famously known for singing classic Colombian cumbias while providing a Mexican twist. Hits such as “El Liston de tu Pelo” earned the group its first No. 1 on the Billboard Regional Mexican Airplay chart.

Los Tigres del Norte

Los Tigres del Norte is a renowned norteño group that started as nomad musicians in Mexico and went on to become one of the most prominent groups within their genre. Together for nearly 40 years, the group consists of brothers Jorge, Hernán, Eduardo and Luis Hernández and their cousin, Óscar Lara. Their ballads often detail the historical and political climates that sympathize with the immigrant experience. The group has produced over 50 albums, earning five Grammy awards and seven Latin Grammys.