The day before the biggest show of his career, Carlos Rivera stood at the top of the stairs at Plaza de Toros La México, admitting he was nervous. On Saturday, the Mexican singer-songwriter performed for more than 40,000 fans during the sold-out opening night of his ¡Vida México! Tour, marking his first-ever concert at the iconic venue. HOLA! was in the front, and Rivera’s performance was incredible, as he showed off his impressive vocals and dancing skills.
In an exclusive interview, he said it’s something that felt impossible, “If I’m being honest, it wasn’t even in my dreams,” Rivera said. “I never thought I would someday sing here.”
© ALEJANDRO CARRASCO GARCIAHe said the arena felt “far away and almost impossible because for many years only a few artists had performed here.” It wasn’t until last year, while attending Yuridia’s concert at the venue, that everything clicked into place. “I thought, ‘Wow, my next album is mariachi-based, and this is the perfect place for this tour.’ That’s when the dream really began.”
Even with years of experience performing around the world, Rivera admits the nerves still hit him before stepping onstage in front of 40,000 people. “Anyone who says they don’t get nervous is lying,” he says with a laugh. “But it’s excitement more than fear.” Once he took the stage, he commanded it. For three hours, at one point in the rain, he performed a medley of his biggest hits and covers, with his dedicated fans singing along to every word. There were even multiple audience members who proposed while he sang “La Carta” with the words “Casate Conmigo” displayed on the projectors.
© Crédito: Jerry Budar / LABULLA PR agencyThe night itself became an emotional celebration of Mexican culture, family, and memory. Special guests Ha*Ash joined Rivera for “Te Dejo en Libertad,” while Yuri surprised the crowd during “Ya No Vives en Mí.”
© Crédito: Jerry Budar / LABULLA PR agencyOne of the concert’s most powerful moments came during performances of “Almas” and “Recuérdame,” when fans raised their phones displaying photos of loved ones they wished to honor, creating what Rivera described as the world’s largest tribute offering.
While his mother, María de Lourdes Guerra Martínez, was in the crowd, Rivera went into the night knowing his dad, José Gonzalo Gilberto Rivera, would be there in spirit. Jose passed away in August 2022 and had a strong connection to the venue through his work around bullfighting.
“He’s definitely going to be here in spirit,” he said. “My father worked around bullfighting for many years, so he came to this venue many times. Even though I’m no longer connected to that world, I still have those memories of him very deeply rooted in me. I know he’ll be here tonight.”
© Crédito: Jerry Budar / LABULLA PR agencyCarlos began the show in a maroon suit, eventually losing his blazer and showing off his ripped arms in a black vest. Then, he was lowered down to the bottom of the stage while Aztec dancers performed.
© ALEJANDRO CARRASCO GARCIAHe returned in a black charro outfit for his ¡Vida México! era. “It feels spiritual,” he told HOLA! When we asked if wearing the traditional suit feels ancestral. “I literally stand straighter when I put it on. Something changes inside of you. It’s almost like becoming a superhero.”
© Crédito: Jerry Budar / LABULLA PR agencyThere were multiple times where Rivera appeared emotional, which he was expecting, especially during the ofrenda when the fans held photos of their loved ones who have passed.
© Crédito: Jerry Budar / LABULLA PR agency“Since losing my father, singing those songs has become even more emotional for me,” he said. “I used to try to hide my emotions, but now I just let myself feel everything. That’s who I am as an artist — emotion. I live these songs completely, and I share those feelings with the audience. So yes, I’m sure a few tears will fall.”
After the show ended, Rivera went from pop star artist to husband, dad, and son. He told HOLA! After concerts, he turns off what he calls his “artist switch” and returns to family life. “I’m very normal. It’s like I switch the artist mode off completely. I go home, spend time with my family, with my son, with my wife,” he said.
© ALEJANDRO CARRASCO GARCIAHe said that recently, after he performed in the city where his mom lives, he stayed at her house instead of a hotel. “The next morning, she made me breakfast, and you’d never imagine that the night before I was performing in front of thousands of people. I love being able to separate Carlos Rivera the artist from just Carlos,” he said.
The 40-year-old credited his family for keeping him grounded when fame gets loud. “They’re the people who tell me the truth, not what I want to hear. Fame is not something anyone teaches you how to handle, so having people around you who keep you centered is everything,” he said.
Carlos Rivera Tour Dates 2026:
- May 22 – Estadio Carta Blanca, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
- May 29 – Plaza de Toros, Cancún, Mexico
- May 30 – Foro GNP, Merida, Mexico
- Jun 21 – Navarra arena, Pamplona, Spain
- Jun 26 – Plaza de Toros de Castellón, El Grao De Castellón, Spain
- Jun 27 – Plaça de Bous de València, Valencia, Spain
- Jul 05 – Bilbao Arena Miribilla, Bilbao, Spain
- Jul 10 – Coliseum da coruña, A coruña, Spain
- Jul 11 – Plaza de Toros de Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
- Jul 12 – Sant jordi club, Barcelona, Spain
- Jul 17 – Murcia’s Bullring, Murcia, Spain
- Jul 18 – Plaza de Toros de Almería, Almería, Spain
- Jul 22 – Starlite marbella, Marbella, Spain
- Jul 24 – Concert Music Festival, Chiclana de la Frontera, Spain
- Nov 28 – Arena Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
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