For Latinos, the sounds of Los Bukis permeated adolescence. Their songs played throughout our homes on early Sunday morning cleaning rituals, at quinceañeras and weddings. Their combination of cumbias, mariachi, corridos and Latino sounds eventually made its way onto our own playlists to share among our adult friends, to bond over their significance in our childhoods. As a friend put it, Los Bukis are like The Beatles to our Mexican parents.
Banded by cousins Marco Antonio and Joel Solís during their teenage years, the two eventually came to enlist a full ensemble and debuted its first album Falso Amor in 1973 which led them to release 16 albums and successfully tour before frontman Marco Antonio decided to pursue a solo career in 1996. In 2021, 25 years after the band’s separation, their long-awaited reunion finally came. With just nine U.S. shows, they launched one of the biggest Latin tours of the year, drawing over 350,000 attendees, according to Billboard.
Now launching the Las Vegas Strip's first Spanish-language residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM, the group is attracting a diverse and multigenerational audience. I was pleasantly surprised by the May 8 crowd, which exuded a humble and familial energy. Gen X and Baby Boomers, and a sprinkle of Gen Zers following in their parents’ musical footsteps, were enraptured by the band’s time machine setlist. Songs like “Y Ahora Te Vas,” “Chiquilla Bonita” and “Mi Mayor Necesidad,” stirred nostalgia, while classics like “Tu Cárcel” triggered a standing singalong.
Dressed in matching black glittering blazers, each member sporting gold pendants, Los Bukis displayed timeless class. Each band member took every chance to display their absolute showmanship on stage. Throughout the two-hour set, the audience was treated to a visual feast, with interactive graphics, slideshows of film photos and videos from the band’s early days and live crowd shots capturing tender moments. As the night unfolded, there was an overwhelming sense of fulfillment and joy.
The Los Bukis’ residency is not only a celebration of music; it's a testament to the band’s longstanding fandom and its enduring legacy as one of Mexico’s most iconic bands.
Los Bukis: La Residencia May 10, 11 with additional dates in July and September, $85+, Dolby Live, ticketmaster.com.
