During their four electrifying shows at the GNP Seguros Stadium, Metallica paid homage to Mexican music legends Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Caifanes, and El Tri.
On Sunday, September 29, Metallica concluded their visit to Mexico with a heartfelt tribute. Bassist Robert Trujillo and guitarist Kirk Hammett surprised the crowd at the GNP Seguros Stadium (formerly Foro Sol) with a rendition of “Los Luchadores” by the iconic tropical music group La Sonora Santanera. Trujillo, of Mexican descent, sang “El Santo, el Cavernario, Blue Demon y el Bulldog,” while Hammett thrilled the 65,000 fans with his intricate riffs, as reported by promoter OCESA.
This unique performance marked the end of Metallica’s series of concerts in Mexico City, their first return to the country in seven years. Over four sold-out shows, the band drew a total of 260,000 attendees, according to OCESA.
The legendary Californian metal band, featuring vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, visited Mexico as part of their M72 World Tour. They promoted their four dates—September 20, 22, 27, and 29—with guitar picks adorned with Mexican pop culture icons like the wrestler “El Santo” and a colorful piñata.
Each concert featured a Spanish song by a Mexican artist, performed by Trujillo and Hammett. On Friday, September 27, they played their version of El Tri’s classic “A.D.O.”, a gesture appreciated by El Tri’s frontman Alex Lora, who thanked Metallica in a social media video.
Earlier, on September 20, Metallica paid tribute to Los Tucanes de Tijuana with “La Chona,” and on September 22, they honored Caifanes with their cumbia hit “La Negra Tomasa.”
Metallica’s connection with Mexico dates back three decades to their Black Album tour in 1993, when they performed five shows at the Palacio de los Deportes. The band has since maintained a close relationship with the country, including recording the live DVD “Orgullo, Pasión y Gloria” in 2009, capturing three spectacular nights at Foro Sol (now GNP Seguros Stadium).
Source: Billboard