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Latin superstars take over the Strip for Mexican Independence Day

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Clockwise, from top left: Alejandro Fernández (Eric Jamison/AP); Enrique Iglesias (Ariel Schalit/AP); Luis Miguel (Charles Sykes/AP); Chayanne (Chris Pizzello/AP); Banda MS (Vince Bucci/AP).
Tovin Lapin

While most people will be focused on the action from the highly anticipated Canelo/GGG rematch, the real fireworks on Mexican Independence Day weekend will come from the annual influx of top Latin musical talent, including powerhouse vocalists and fleet-footed commanders of the stage.

Mexican Independence Day is celebrated September 16, in honor of the early morning call to arms (“El Grito”) on that day in 1810 when the Catholic Priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang church bells to announce the Mexican War of Independence. Consider this your call to hit the concert halls for a weekend packed with dynamic, superstar performers.

Luis Miguel

Born in Puerto Rico but adopted by Mexico—even referred to as El Sol de Mexico (The Sun of Mexico)—Miguel is a Latin icon and legend who dabbles in a variety of genres. He’s sold more than 100 million albums, and he commands the stage with his high-energy showmanship and the jaw-dropping range of his mighty vocals. September 13 & 14, 8:30 p.m., $75-$350, the Colosseum.

Enrique Iglesias

The crossover pop singer who found fans in English and Spanish—and rose to fame dating Anna Kournikova, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sofia Vergara, Christina Aguilera and Shannon Elizabeth—also produced a few hit numbers here and there, including “Hero,” “Escape,” “Para Que La Vida” and “Bailamos.” September 15 & 16, 8 p.m., $89-$395, the Colosseum.

Chayanne

Puerto Rican pop star Chayanne is guaranteed to bring a high-energy dance party and some brokenhearted ballads to the Strip. As a kid, Chayanne, aka Elmer Figueroa Arce, tried out for Menudo but was rejected for being too young, so he joined a group called Los Chicos. (That’s right, he was in a boy band called “The Boys.”) His career as a solo artists spans more than 30 years and 15-plus studio albums. September 14, 8 p.m., $69+, the Chelsea.

Banda MS & Caifanes

The MS stands for Mazatlán, Sinaloa, but the group hasn’t let the waves of U.S. spring breakers invading that picturesque beach town every year water down its solidly traditional banda and ranchera style. Expect sing-alongs and lots of tuba. Caifanes, from Mexico City, is a legendary rock en Español band that originally formed in 1987. Along with its fellow countrymen in Maná, Caifanes was a large influence on the Mexican music scene in the early ’90s. Lead singer Saúl Hernández and lead guitarist Alejandro Marcovich grew apart in 1995, splitting the band. They reconciled, and Caifanes reformed in 2011. September 14, 9 p.m., $69-$500, MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Alejandro Fernández

Nicknamed “El Potrillo” (The Colt), Fernández, the son of singer Vicente Fernández, built his career on traditional, folky, Mexican ranchera and mariachi ballads but has branched off with pop beats and riffs in recent years. You don’t sell 30 million albums and get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for being one-dimensional. September 15, 9 p.m., $75-$225, Mandalay Bay Events Center.

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