One cannot discuss modern popular Mexican music without mentioning one of the true OGs of “Rock en Español,” Café Tacvba. C=T contributor Manuel Aragon took in all of the splendor that my favorite Chilango act had to offer last week:

The Fillmore Auditorium was jam-packed on Wednesday night when Café Tacvba took the stage, on tour in support of their latest album, Jei Beibi. The two openers — iZCALLi, and The Ruen Brothers —  both rocked the crowd to the perfect level, bringing them to just the perfect energy level for Café Tacvba.

When the time came, Café Tacvba took the stage, Rubén Albarrán in a skull mask and black suit, Enrique “Quique” Rangel in a post-apocalyptic Tuareg outfit; their outfits, the perfect visual accompaniment to their opener, “Futuro”.

Throughout the night they moved between songs that spanned the full twenty-five years of their recorded career. Prior to “ Olita Del Altamar”, Albarrán talked about the impact — both intentional and unintentional — that mankind is having upon the Earth and our sacred responsibility to care for the Earth, not destroy it. Later in the set, Albarrán reminded the audience that our future, in all things, relies completely on the power of women. “The future is female!”, he yelled, the crowd responding with an equal level of enthusiasm.

Over time there’s a tendency for big bands to take themselves too seriously, losing the intimacy that they once had with their fans. Not so with Café Tacvba, who added moments of levity to the show. Two times throughout the set all four original members of Tacvba stepped away from their instruments to perform choreographed ranchero-style line dances, laughing the whole time.

Café Tacvba definitely entertained and entranced the audience throughout their two-hour set. Other highlights of the show included their cover of “Como Te Extraño Mi Amor”, “Volver a Comenzar” and “Las Flores”.

Café Tacvba finishes their tour at the end of the month in Las Vegas. (Photo/Word Manuel Aragon)