A few weeks ago I went to see Alejandro Fernández in concert in Málaga. I had discovered the Mexican singer a few years ago, when listening to a CD that Rafa gave me - a compilation of Spanish and Latino music.
I loved his voice - a rich Latino contemporary sound. 
I later bought his latest album, "A Corazón Abierto" , and listened to it in the car all the time - it became to represent on a promise of the flavour of my new life in Spain!
So when I saw that the good-looking, rugged Mexican was coming to Málaga this month, I had to go and see him. He was in concert at a new sports and music arena in the industrial area of the city, close to the stunning new Palacio de Ferias y Congresos.
It was clear, whilst sitting waiting for him to come on, just how varied his fan base was; young girls, married couples, gay guys, young couples, middle aged women - the full spectrum!
The concert was a real surprise for me. The first half was as expected - he belted out his popular hits. Yet in the second half he came on in a skin-tight Mexican suit 
( he looked like he had been sewn into it!) and his band all donned sombreros. This was now well and truly in the realms of cheesiness, yet this was not the reaction from the audience. Everyone in the audience became even more animated!
He started to sing classic Mexican songs with a passion he had not shown before. The audience was in awe and joined in the words at every opportunity. During a brief explanation from Rafa, I understood that Alejandro was first famous for his traditional songs, as he was the son of Vicente Fernandez, a famous Mexican crooner. He was also a protégé of Rocío Dúrcal. So his concert was cleverly constructed to appeal to his wide fan base, some who have recently got to listen his songs like me, and others who have followed him and his father for decades.
It really dawned on me, just how strongly the Latin American and Spanish cultures are intertwined, even now in popular culture. US and UK bands are popular here, but the common Latin heritage means that singers from Columbia, Mexico, Argentina etc all flourish in Spain.
For me I can only describe the concert's strange combination of contemporary pop with traditional songs was a bit like Robbie William's break from pop when he released a swing album; - a UK star paying homage to the 50s artists like Sinatra et al that inspired him.
In the concert area in Málaga the punters got value for money - on stage from10.30pm , the 35 year old continued to belt out popular favourites with Latino passion until 1am!
¡Viva España!¡Viva México!
