Mexican band Los Alegres del Barranco canceled their scheduled performance on Friday (May 30) in the municipality of Maravatío, in the Mexican state of Michoacán, citing security concerns, the group’s spokesperson, Luis Alvarado, confirmed to Billboard Español.
“In agreement with the event sponsor, local authorities, state security agencies, and members of the band, it was decided to postpone the event due to security concerns,” Alvarado said in a brief statement, without providing further details about the postponement or a new date for the performance.
Previously, the event’s sponsor, Chilangos Grill, had announced on Thursday (May 29) that the show would be rescheduled “for reasons beyond the control of the company and the band.” Organizers reported that the concert was sold out. “Our priority has always been and will continue to be the well-being and safety of our audience, artists, and everyone involved with the company, which is why a new date for the performance will be scheduled,” read the statement on social media.
The group had recently secured a legal injunction allowing them to perform narcocorridos in Michoacán, despite a state decree that prohibits the dissemination of music or expressions that glorify crime in public spaces, which went into effect in April.
Los Alegres del Barranco became the first act from the regional Mexican genre to be formally accused by the Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office of alleged glorification of criminal activities. Authorities in that state, located in western Mexico, are investigating the group after images of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), were projected during their performance of the song “El del Palenque” on March 29 at an auditorium at the University of Guadalajara.
This incident even led the U.S. to revoke work and tourist visas for the band members, as announced on April 1 by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau in a statement on X.
The band, its representative, and the promoter are facing investigation from the Jalisco Prosecutor’s Office for four performances in different municipalities of that state in which they allegedly glorified criminal activities, according to information published on May 9 by the same office.
Ten out of Mexico’s 32 states have implemented various bans against narcocorridos or any expression that promotes or glorifies criminal activities, though such bans have not yet become federal law.
The cancellation of Los Alegres del Barranco’s concert also comes after five members of Grupo Fugitivo — a locally known regional Mexican music group — were found dead in the state of Tamaulipas on May 29, four days after being reported missing. The deaths are allegedly linked to a faction of a drug cartel operating in that region of the country.
