Los Temerarios were initially supposed to play two shows in Chicago as part of their Hasta Siempre farewell tour, but it quickly expanded to a total of five nonconsecutive shows at the Allstate Arena. Chicago wasn’t the exception. The number of shows in big Latin markets, including Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston, doubled or tripled soon after the tour was announced. It’s something that David Zamora, CEO of Zamora Live – the trek’s promoter – had prepared for.
“When we were routing the tour, we held multiple dates with the assumption that, since it is the farewell tour, we would be adding shows,” explains Zamora. “I think all this shows how much the fans love Los Temerarios and how much they will be missed. These are memories to last a lifetime.”
On Wednesday (Nov. 6), the Mexican band – led by brothers Adolfo and Gustavo Ángel – performed the second of its string of shows at the Allstate where thousands of fans gathered to see Los Temerarios one last time together. Gustavo and Adolfo, who founded the group in the 80s, announced last year they were separating after more than four decades together, and a total of 41 entries on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart and 46 entries on Top Latin Albums — more than any other Latin act in history.
On this particular night, the crowd skewed older millennial, many decked out in Temerarios merch. They were there to celebrate a band whose music has helped heal many broken hearts. “It takes me back to when I was a teen and I’d be sad in my room because my boyfriend had just broken up with me. Those are the songs I’d listen to,” says Yvette, who was there with a group of friends. “Their music means so much to me. It’s nostalgia, it’s Mexico,” adds her friend Lucia, who gets almost emotional.
As concertgoers filled every single seat of the arena — that has a capacity of nearly 20,000 people — the show kicked off at 8:30 p.m. with Adolfo, on keyboards, and frontman Gustavo taking the stage with their five-member live band in tow. The crowd, on their feet for most of the nearly three-hour show, roared at the sight of the brothers, who gave each a high five before embarking on the nostalgia-filled journey.
“What a beautiful welcome,” Gustavo said. ”We are very blessed to have you here tonight. It is the type of support you have shown us for so many years. We have so many memories here in this city, where we’ve performed since 1985.”
Los Temerarios performed its signature romantic love songs that have made zealous fans swoon over and over again, including “Mi Vida Eres Tú,” “Eres Un Sueño,” “Como te Recuerdo,” “Dímelo,” “La Mujer Que Soñé,” “La Mujer de Los Dos” and “Ven Porque Te Necesito,” just to name a few from the packed setlist. From cumbia grupera to rancheras and pop ballads, Adolfo and Gustavo showcased their vast catalog singing all the big hits for their last hoorah.
The brothers mainly stayed in place. Adolfo, who occasionally flashed shy smiles to his loyal followers, behind the keyboards and Gustavo being the charismatic frontman who knows exactly what to say and do to rile up the crowd. Both are perfectly in synch, after all they’ve been doing those for many years.
“My heart is feeling very emotional,” Adolfo added at one point. “I’m sorry if you suddenly feel that I’m overcome with emotion, but my heart overflows with gratitude. We are going to play all the songs you want. Our shows are usually last two hours long, but today we are going to play for three hours. We hope you have an unforgettable night. We will never forget you. Thank you, always.”
Worthy of a farewell show, Los Temerarios delivered an epic set, one that didn’t need for elaborate bits, complex choreographies or even a bombastic production. It was just Adolfo and Gustavo doing what they do best: sing from the heart the songs that have soundtracked Hispanic multigenerational homes for decades.
Los Temerarios’ Hasta Siempre Tour continues with three additional shows in Chicago from Nov. 7-9, and stops in Portland, Anaheim, Calif., and two BMO Stadium concerts in Los Angeles. On tour since February 2023, the Mexican band will end the trek in Mexico City in December.
