Xavi chose Mexico to kick off his first tour, Poco a Poco, on Thursday night (March 28). It was the right decision. The hot new regional Mexican music star had a blast at his debut at BlackBerry Auditorium in Mexico City, where he took the opportunity to praise his Mexican roots and charm fans with the rhythms of corridos tumbados and heartbreak songs.
“How pretty she looks tonight! It’s a blessing to be here! It’s a pride to be Mexican!” said Xavi excitedly to the 3,117 people who packed the venue, according to numbers from promoter Ocesa.
Billboard‘s January Artist on the Rise — whose face was featured over Sacred Hearts on some unofficial stamps available outside the venue — began his performance with the song that shares its name with his tour, “Poco a Poco.” It was followed by “Modo DND” and “Ya Te Superé”, which, despite not having yet been released on digital platforms, according to Xavi, was sang by fans at the top of their lungs. (To see the full setlist, click here.)
Dressed in a plaid shirt and a sports cap, the singer from Phoenix delighted a multigenerational audience that also included his mother, to whom he dedicated his 2023 EP My Mom’s Playlist, made up of covers of Latin rock and pop classics including “Rayando el Sol” by Maná.
Xavi’s tour will continue March 30 in Guadalajara, before making its first stop in the United States on April 2 in Los Angeles. Its 24 dates include stops in Seattle, Portland, Phoenix and Las Vegas, ending in San Antonio on May 12. He will also perform at the Sueños Music Festival in Chicago on May 25.
Below are the best moments from the show.
One of the most emotional moments of the night happened when Xavi performed his version of Sin Bandera’s “Kilómetros” for his mom. With tears in her eyes, she gave him a big hug in front of the crowd. Xavi dedicated his EP My Mom’s Playlist, made up of Latin rock and pop classics, to his mother. The set was released for Mother’s Day in 2023.
Throughout the evening, Xavi interacted with his band and a multi-generational crowd that included many children with their parents. In an unforgettable moment, two kids who identified themselves as Oscar and Renata were invited onstage after Xavi saw their sign requesting a photo with him. He snapped the shot onstage amid screams and clapping.
Xavi performed his hit “La Diabla” not once but twice: first in the middle of his set list, and later to close the show. The song has special meaning for Xavi; it was his first No. 1 on a Billboard chart when it topped Hot Latin Songs in January.
Xavi premiered his new track “Ya Te Superé,” noting that “it’s not out yet, but we hope soon.” Regardless, fans already knew it and sang it from beginning to end.