Peso Pluma Performs at Tecate Pa’l Norte Festival: Best Moments

Peso didn’t just appear on stage. He made a grand entrance. Before he took centerstage, a cryptic video began playing. A troupe of people dressed in black from head to toe, with their faces fully covered, appeared on the screen making their way down a stairs in a lit-up hallway. Then, in another scene, Peso’s band members takk their masks off, revealing their faces to the sound of Kanye West’s “Black Skinhead.” But then the men in black returne, this time pacing around in a circle with Peso Pluma sitting in the middle.

A narrator delivers a message while the video continues to play: “All things that have some difficulty seem impossible to you. Trust in the time that usually gives sweet exits to many bitterness. The path reveals only those who dare to face adversity face-to-face and overcome it with sincerity. He stands before the eyes of the world as he always knew he would.”

In the video, Peso Pluma stands up from the chair once the narrator stops talking, realizing it’s showtime. Then, he took the stage. Fans roared at the sight of Peso, who wore a red windbreaker suit, black leather gloves and a black balaclava mask (which he later switched for a black baseball hat). A heavy chain adorned his neck. 

A year ago, Peso Pluma was still considered an up-and-coming artist. On March 29, he headlined a 100,000-capacity festival in his native Mexico. It’s a reflection of Peso’s rapid rise to the top as one of the most consequential Latin acts of this generation. “Look at how packed Parque Fundidora is,” he said as footage of the crowd that covered every inch of the park was shown on the jumbo screens. “I’m very thankful to be here. Look at how many of us [are] here. Thank you for receiving me and loving me so much,” the Mexican star expressed.

“You want the first guest or what?” Peso asked his fans, who immediately responded with a yes. Doubling down on his commitment to support his friends (also artists who are part of his label, Doble P Records), he first brought out Jasiel Nuñez to perform “Rosa Pastel” and “Lagunas.” The two later embraced in a hug, with Peso looking extra proud of Nuñez.

Then, he brought out lesser-known act Luis Vega. Peso said he was performing with for the very first time. Vega co-wrote “Rubicon,” one of Peso’s biggest hits to date — so they obviously had to perform it at Pa’l Norte.

Another surprise guest on Peso’s set was Yng Lvcas, with whom he performed “La Bebe – Remix,” their 2023 mega hit, which peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 (chart dated May 6). He also brought out Tito Double P and Joel de la P for “La People II.”

Peso Pluma’s setlist ran the gamut, from oldies to newer songs. Delivering a corridos-packed performance, he knew exactly what his fans wanted to hear from him. He went on to perform “Gavilan II,” “Nueva Vida” and “El Belicón” — telling fans that if they knew the lyrics to that one, he’d be impressed. “That’s the song that made me famous,” he explained. He also performed “Las Morras,” “Rompe La Dompe,” “El Azul,” “Por Las Noches,” “AMG,” “PRC,” “Lady Gaga” and his Bizarrap-produced “BZRP Music Sessions #55.”

“We are grateful to bring corridos and Mexican music to the world,” he said proudly.

Peso Pluma has all the energy in the world. Whether he’s running from one point of the stage to the other or showing off his quirky dance moves, he’s never still or static. His ranging facial expressions also humanize the superstar, who throughout his show seems excited, pensive, emotional and somewhat cagey. At other times he’s playful, flashing a shy smile and blowing kisses straight to the camera, which projected onto the black-and-white jumbo screens at the show, causing a knee-jerk reaction from fans who applauded and screamed ecstatically in return.