Grupo Firme Kicks Off Historic Run at L.A.’s Staples Center: ‘Tonight Is a Dream Come True’

The Staples Center came back to life on Friday (July 30) after 513 days since the last concert there, thanks to regional Mexican band Grupo Firme, who kicked off their historic run at the Los Angeles arena with their first (of seven) full-capacity, sold-out show.

If it weren’t for the masks on people’s faces, it seemed like any other pre-pandemic night, with crowds congregating outside Staples waiting for doors to open while also getting last-minute group photos before heading indoors, where the chart-topping band was scheduled to hit the stage at 8:30 p.m.

Making history as the first Latin act to perform the most shows in a single calendar year at Staples (the only other artist that has done more is Adele with eight in one calendar year) and marking the return of live concerts at L.A. Live (home to venues such as Staples and Microsoft Theater), the night would be one for the books, even if that meant you had to wear a mask once inside. Los Angeles has seen a significant COVID-19 surge due to the Delta variant. And if you didn’t have a mask, staff members provided them outside of the venue.