Pepe Aguilar Elevates Mariachi With ‘Los Aguilar Sinfónico Desde el Hollywood Bowl’: ‘I Returned, But With My Children — That’s Very Fulfilling’

Mexican music takes center stage on Thursday night (Aug. 20) with the release of Los Aguilar Sinfónico Desde el Hollywood Bowl, a live album recorded during two performances by Pepe, Leonardo, and Ángela Aguilar in August 2025 at the iconic venue, where they blended mariachi with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.

Featuring a total of 25 tracks, the Machin Records production takes listeners on a journey through traditional Mexican music, beginning with the “Overture on the Theme of ‘Huapango,’” performed by Pepe Aguilar, followed by a medley of horse-themed songs by Leonardo, and a tribute to Flor Silvestre delivered by her granddaughter Ángela.

“A Mexican music artist hadn’t performed at the Hollywood Bowl in 23 years, not since I performed there in 2002. Back then, I also did it with a symphony orchestra, but this time it was different because I returned with my children, and that is very fulfilling,” Pepe Aguilar tells Billboard Español. “But it’s even more fulfilling to do it with Mexican music, mariachi music — at a venue where legends like Frank Sinatra, The Rolling Stones and even Juan Gabriel have performed.”

Aguilar performs 13 tracks on the album, including hits like “Por Una Mujer Bonita,” “Perdóname” and “Miedo,” which have charted on Billboard‘s Regional Mexican Airplay listing. Leonardo, meanwhile, contributes a total of six songs, including “El Barzón,” “Tatuajes” and “Viva México,” while Ángela delivers the same number of performances, featuring classics such as “La Malagueña,” “La Llorona” and “Qué Agonía.”

Aguilar, a recipient of awards including four Grammys, four Latin Grammys, and the Hall of Fame Award at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards, shares insights below about his latest project — and offers a glimpse into his family life, while discussing his current relationship with his children.

What did it mean to return to the Hollywood Bowl now with your children?

It’s a concept I really like. I believe both of them have what it takes — besides having studied for many years, they’ve been training through my concerts. There’s no school that prepares you to perform in front of 10,000 or more people.

I enjoy preserving traditions. At one point, my father [Antonio Aguilar] carried that responsibility and taught me that more than passing the torch, it was about his devotion and passion for Mexico’s music and traditions. I embraced them out of conviction. My father didn’t invent anything, and neither did I — we simply love our folklore, natural beauty and the importance of family. My father had a responsibility to Mexico, and so do I, because it’s worth defending.

They are facing a challenging time when it comes to preserving traditional Mexican music.

Today, we can’t really predict where music is headed because we rely on things like streaming platforms. Perhaps the format has changed, but mariachi is definitely more alive than ever. It’s true that playlists are mostly filled with corridos tumbados and urban music, but that doesn’t mean ranchera music isn’t incredibly important. What I do think will change is that those who sing mariachi won’t necessarily have to dress as charros. For years, it was an essential part of the image — starting with Jorge Negrete, Pedro Infante, Javier Solís, Antonio Aguilar, José Alfredo Jiménez, Vicente Fernández — those singing charros who made films and used them as promotion. I believe that type of mariachi is indeed nearing extinction. There are only three or four of us left.

Do you still produce Leonardo and Ángela’s albums?

Lately, they’ve been producing their own albums, and that was very important. I taught them how to produce and record on their own. Now, each of them has their own studio, although they often go to my studio in Houston because they’re used to recording there. It makes me very proud that they know how to do it, and I’m glad they still ask me for advice or support from a distance.

That’s an important point because it was even rumored that you were going to manage Cristian Nodal’s career.

Can you imagine that? If I don’t meddle in my children’s lives, how would I ever meddle in my poor son-in-law’s life? Not at all. Many lies are spread on social media. Honestly, I can tell you that, just like I was with my parents, at some point everyone finds their own path and makes their own decisions. That’s what’s happening with my children. Many people might imagine that we live together all the time, but no. For heaven’s sake, everyone lives their own life! When they were little, they appeared on my blog, but that was the reality of that moment.

Will we see you, Leonardo and Ángela together in a show again?

Most likely, yes, although there are no plans at the moment. I currently have two performances on Aug. 28 and 29 at Jones Hall in Houston, also with a symphony and mariachi, but I’ll be performing solo. Each of our careers requires us to dedicate time individually.

You recently turned 58 on Aug. 7. How do you feel at this stage of your life?

Very happy and eager to keep creating and contributing in my own way to those who want to listen to my style of Mexican music. I’m also continuing with my traditions, including my charrería team, El Soyate, which has become national champions for the second time. I’m working on two shows: one of them doesn’t include me or my family — it’s focused on Mexican culture. I’m doing several things in this stage of my life where I can indulge in certain creative whims. I’m also very excited about being deeply involved in technology; AI fascinates me.