Mexico's World Cup Run Revives Mariachi Tradition

Mexico's national soccer team broke a 40-year curse by winning a knockout round for the first time since 1986, leading to massive celebrations across the country. The victories have sparked a revival of mariachi music, which had been in decline. In Guadalajara, the historic Plazuela del Mariachi had become nearly empty, with trash, disrepair, and drug activity. Mariachi Angel Francisco Vargas, 53, whose father and grandfather were mariachis, said the genre is dying as people prefer cheaper recorded music. Groups shrank from 10-12 musicians to five or six. However, after Mexico's win against Korea, downtown Guadalajara filled with thousands of revelers. Mariachi J. Guadalupe Caradache Garcia noted the job brings alcohol, women, and pay. The plaza came alive, bars reopened, and mariachis gathered crowds. Roberto Perez, moved to tears, said mariachis bring out everything Mexicans feel. The celebration united tequila, mariachis, and football.