This post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission should you choose to sign up for a program or make a purchase using my link. It’s okay – I love all of these companies anyways, and you will too!
Warning: Spoilers about thee experience ahead.
I recently went to one of Maná’s Farewell concerts, Mexico Lindo y querido, in California and let me tell you, it was nothing short of amazing. And I’ve got all the tips, tricks, and the vibiest vibes you’ll need if you’re even considering going too.
If you get there early
There are 2 kinds of people in the world, the early bird gets the worm people and the shit, I’m late again! people. This info is for both. You choose what your experience will be. When I went, I went with early birds. I am not an early bird. But I sure got to experience what that feels like.
Parking
Just for reference on how early we got there … we parked so close to the stadium, I could smell Fher’s sweat. First row in front of the venue.
Positives:
- We didn’t have to walk far (like I usually do) to get in.
- It was all RIGHT THERE. The Maná sign. The metal detectors. The ticket scanners.
- Easy access back to the car for whatever reason.
Negatives:
- The venue we were at was round. Parking circling the whole building. When we were exiting with all the people, we had no clue where the hell we were lol.
- Fue un chingo de carros we had to get thru to get out. So, hit up the best defensive driver in your group for that. Guess who the defensive driver was with myyyyyyy group … 🙋🏻♀️😉.
Bathrooms
- Doñas, when you get there, that early, there are not very many people there. You get to choose which stall you want.
- Aaand, it’s still fully stocked
- Still clean
- Doesn’t smell (yet)
- And if you traveled for the concert, this is something you can look forward to.
Obvio, no negatives.
Concessions
Positives:
- No lines. Everything is at your disposal. No long lines and several options. And honestly it felt like we were in VIP.
- If you get there later … expect to wait.
Negatives:
- No cash accepted. Everything is card. I mean I know that’s the way of the world now. I happen to be a “critical thinker” who feels that although it’s super convenient, it’s equally invasive. Imagine I started writing a check lol.
Stickler for bag restrictions
In our experience they picked and chose what to let in.
I mean, make sure to check the website of the venue you’re going to. There you’ll find exactly what can go in. Clear bag or no clear bag. There’s even a size chart. But like the slightest hair outside of the required outlined box. Beware.
One of our group members had to go back and switch out purses. We had extras just in case.
And luckily, we parked close.
But while we were inside, we saw several Doñas walking around, bien pipiris nice, with their like blatantly bigger bags.
I mean, I guess it depends on who you get. Perroooo liiiiike. 🤨
Merch
Look … there’s the guys who sell the cheaper band merch outside of the stadium and of course the more expensive official merch inside. The merch outside, cute that they may be, probably won’t last as long.
Either way, with all the design options available online, you’ll have some pretty nice options to choose from.
Just remember, you get what you pay for.
The Vibes
Finally, we are at my favorite part. It’s just all positives from here.
Pre-Concert
The environment started out all peace and love. And I expected nothing less.
All ages in attendance from babies to Señoras con rebozos. Everyone in beautiful unique looks.
Different groups all around, comadreando, about anything and everything. Respect and love if you bumped into someone or spilled a drink close to them. Cracking jokes and offering some kind of support. I freakin love mi gente.
Bob Marley
Okay, let me preface this by saying I am a HUGE Bob Marley fan. I love what he stood for. An influencer of his time and beyond. So, when I heard them play Bob Marley right before they started their set, I would have lost my 💩 if his sound didn’t already immediately put me in a trance of a vibe.
But wait kids … that’s not it! They played another Bob Marley song during a quick break … aaaaaaand another one at the end of their show.
There was a group of fans that were on the balcony, a floor above the first level, and they brought a huge Mexico flag.
And during one of the songs, they hung the flag over the ledge … and it waved so majestically while everyone mentally seemed to have left the building while they were swaying with their hands high in the air. I will never forget that moment.
Aaaaaand, at the very end of the concert, Maná came back out to the final Bob Marley song to close their show. Ima take you on a little journey here. Imagine Maná, front of the stage en un linia facing their fans, air besos and bowing, and beach balls thrown all around in the audience. Shit was magical. Transcending. That moment literally sent me.
I’ll keep the Bob Marley songs under my hat for y’all. Let her be a surprise.
The Set
Some people like to know what the setlist is, which is a list of the songs they’re going to sing and in which order. While others, just wanna be surprised, ya know? Either way, it’s linked if you can’t help yourself.
Outside of that, Maná’s set up was really cool. For the first half of the show, they played on the main stage. They even have a “prop” hanging above in the indoor stadium. They played quite a few songs. When they stopped, I really thought that was the end of the show. I was disappointed but hopeful. That’s when the second Bob Marley song played and pumped me the ef back up!
Second half, they came out walking around the crowd, saludando la gente, until they got to this little intimate cantina style stage with stringed lights, set up at the opposite end of the main stage.
This stage was the acoustic part of the concert, and it was such a delightful treat. So, hint, hint when you’re getting your tickets, you have a few opportunities to see them up close and personal, if that’s your thing.
Sooooo, have you ever actually seen chonis thrown on the stage? Get ready for it. And Fher’s got this whole sucio bit because I’m sure at least one is thrown on the stage every time. But it was hilarious.
Misconduct?
Depends on who you ask. Let’s be honest here. When you go to a concert, including a Mexican rock band, you’re likely to see someone who looks like your Tio getting a little out of hand with the alcohol. It goes with the territory, especially when Latino celebrations usually include lots of drinking anyway.
Again, it depends on how you look at it. Did I see it all around me? Naw. Just one guy in front of us. I mean he was really trying to enjoy the show. His consumption just got the best of him. I think a lot of us can relate.
But it definitely did not overpower or interfere with the show.
Last Tour?
The tour is called, Mexico Lindo y Querido. Word on the street is, this is it.
I mean, even Fher had this whole bit, including pictures, about his knee surgery and how he’s pretty much done.
Honestly, I was shook as it was, to see how long the concert was especially with the energy level at 10 the whole concert. I mean I know they’re great, pero they’re climbing up there in age, you know? Either way, they put on a hell of a show.
And if you ask me, I full heartedly believe if this happens to be it, they will come back a few years down the road to do a comeback tour.
Overall Experience
This has to have been one of the vibiest concerts I’ve ever been to. Full of thee most humble people. Smiles, excuse me’s, and random nice conversations. Our world just isn’t like that anymore. It kills me. But humility is very much part of our culture. And I felt like that was on full display that night.
It was a wonderfully beautiful display of admiration for our culture … for our gente. I will never forget that beautiful experience. Definitely one for the books! I encourage you to go check it out for yourself. There are 20 more concerts left, in the U.S. from September 1st through December 1st, 2023.
Don’s y Doñas, I hope this post was informative for you if that’s what you were looking for. For others, I hope I was able to paint a vivid picture of this experience and maybe even encourage you to go see it yourself.
So, did this post make you stop what you were doing to get tickets? Or even reminisce on Maná shows you’ve attended in the past? How as your experience? Let us all know down below!