Author: Charlie Cisneros

Posted: Oct 04, 2024

If you were looking forward to the middle of the long week, this was the time to do so! Grupo Frontera, a 6 member Regional Mexican group from Edinburg Texas, made their way to San Diego for a night full of nothing but singing & drinking!

This was a show I've been waiting for ever since it was announced back in May. Although I'm bummed that the Tijuana show in November got canceled, I was still looking forward to starting off October with some fun.

As I was sitting in my seat patiently waiting for the group to go on, I was hoping that they would play my favorite song of theirs. For some reason, I didn't think they would but I couldn't believe they actually did! More on that in a bit.

After the atmosphere had gathered enough till showtime, the lights went dark to loud cheers. Center screen turned on to reveal an intro movie where the group's transportation truck transformed into an Autobot named Forastero, & left them stranded in a desert gas station. While they had no clue what to do since their main ride flew off into space, their little mascot character mentioned he had an idea. That idea was to perform their next show in the desert gas station & so they did! The equipment truck opened up & then the screen revealed the name of the tour in support of their sophomore album.

Grupo Frontera: Jugando A Que No Pasa Nada Tour

Blue lights rose up to the desert being shown center screen to then hear Adelaido “Payo” Solis III’s voice for the first time. The opening song was the opening track to Jugando A Que No Pasa Nada, “F*CKIN AMOR.” I wasn't expecting that but it obviously makes sense now for it to be that. It was definitely a good choice to set up the mood!

Following was my favorite song from the group. Again, for some reason I wasn't expecting it to happen but I got even more excited when I recognized  those first few notes of the accordion by Juan Javier Cantu. The song is “Di Que Si,” a collaboration with Grupo Marca Registrada (who were just in Tijuana last month too.) I just love everything about this song's production. The way the tones of the voices & instruments get me every time. It was also really cool seeing huge CO2 smoke & fireworks go up for the first time too!

After that, the group went back to their latest album with “LOS DOS,” another collaboration song with Morat; the Rock en español band where Grupo Frontera covered “No Se Va,” that led them to massive popularity some years ago.

Towards the middle of the set, Percussionist Julian Peña Jr. announced that the night was also Drummer Carlos Guerrero’s birthday! Nights like these are always fun to be a part of because it usually continues to a celebration & Grupo Frontera did absolutely that!. They gave a toast, sang & even shoved a cake in his face!

Later on, Payo announced a musical guest who happened to be Oscar Maydon. There, they performed a cover of “Fin De Semana” by Maydon & Junior H. The arena was really loud for this one! I was expecting Nicki Nicole as the guest since she performed at House of Blues last night but still cool! I love Junior H, $ad Boyz 4 Life!

The super fun show was coming to a close as Grupo Frontera began performing their most popular tracks during the encore. “QUE VUELVAS,” “EL AMOR DE SU VIDA,” (a collaboration song with Grupo Firme where Payo made a special appearance during their show last Saturday at the North Island Amp) & “un x100to,” the collaboration with icon Bad Bunny.

The night ended off with a bang unveiling confetti filling the air & fireworks lighting up the venue, adding to the contagious energy. All aspects of the production value from the lighting, stage design, sound quality & Grupo Frontera’s performance was really really good. It definitely was a party the entire night with all of San Diego signing their hearts out to their romanticos & cumbias.

Tomorrow is the last day of their North American run of this tour in their hometown & what better way to end it like that? Jampak is looking forward to the return of Grupo Frontera & what they have in the future!

Bassist - Brian Ortega

Guitarist - Alberto Acosta