If you've had a chance to make it out for one of the two Chargers home games in 2024, you may have noticed a brand-new — and loud— addition to the game day entertainment.
And they've been bringing the good vibes on Sundays.
Banda AZ, formally known as Banda Azpericueta, is the Bolts new House Banda that can be found playing at the Energy Stage on the 200 level of SoFi Stadium throughout each game.
Performing the Banda Sinaloense style of music, the group combines the trombone, trumpet, clarinet, bass instruments, tuba and many more to create a highly energetic sound that all fans can enjoy.
"It's very welcoming music," said Jose Azpericueta, the group's musical director and trombone player. "I would say you don't really have to be knowing of the music to be a fan of it. It's very energetic with the body, most people feel the energy.
"I want them to feel that feeling of being able to just enjoy and have fun," he added.
Chargers fans got their first look at that energy during the season opener against the Raiders, with the group performing after the first quarter and during halftime.
It would be an understatement to say the crowd reacted well to it, as some fans even got up and began to dance to the music at their seats.
Even if you're not familiar with the genre of music, it's hard not to get caught up in the rhythm and sound that echoes through the stadium, something the group hopes to bring with each performance.
"I want them to feel that feeling of being able to just enjoy and have fun… I want them to feel welcome to the music," said Abraham Azpericueta, a trumpet player in the group. "To feel free and not to feel like, 'Oh, I have to understand it to really enjoy it.'
"I feel like anybody could really enjoy it and express themselves to that type of music," he added.
Originating from Guadalupe Victoria, Nayarit, Mexico, Banda AZ was established by Don Agustin Azpericueta Sanchez and his sons in 1992 in the United States.
Today, the group is made up of his sons and grandchildren as it continues to be something special the family shares.
"It has kept us together till this day, the Banda is the bond… we always see each other every weekend, we go play, we're in this together," Jose Azpericueta, who the son of Don Augustin and the founder of the group, said. "It's very, very significant. Without this band, it would probably be something else."
Abraham, one of his younger sons, added: "It's a big responsibility, but it feels good. It feels like a pretty good responsibility. It feels good to keep the legacy going and growing with what we're doing and keep doing big things."
Augustin Azpericueta is Jose's son and oldest of the grandchildren who has seen the group grow together over time.
As the lead singer for Banda AZ, he also serves as a music producer and studio engineer as he runs and operates everything that has to do with performance and music productions.
He's seen it all on the road and on stage, as he is grateful to carry on the tradition and share this special opportunity to play at SoFi Stadium with his family.
"It's very special. Not only because of the side of carrying on the tradition, for me it's special because of the love of the sport and the team," Augustin said. "Me growing up, I always wanted to be a football player, it's something my family knows very well, but I always had music. Going back to the traditions of music, I followed music instead of football.
"But now it's now like full circle and playing for my favorite team, favorite sport, doing the music I love," he added.
What makes it even more special? Playing for the team that played a big role in the group's football fandom.
Augustin remembers getting into football and being drawn to Bolts stars like Philip Rivers, LaDanian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates and others.
It's the same for many of the members of the group, who are now relishing the opportunity to be a part of their favorite team's game day experience.
"It still hasn't really processed for me yet," Abraham said. "I just can't believe I'm here. I would've never thought I would play for my favorite football team. It's surreal and I'm just grateful for the opportunity. I'm glad to be able to take part in this."
Jose added: "It's surreal to be honest because I know that ... as a father, to have your son with you all the time, I lived it with my dad. Now, I'm living it with my son and it's very surreal. We were really excited about it. We're really grateful for the Chargers organization to invite us and give us this opportunity."
With each performance, Banda AZ continues to live out what feels like a dream.
"It's special to where it feels surreal still," Augustin said. "It's very special, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to incorporate our genre, our culture, Banda music, into the sport at SoFi Stadium in front of 70,000 people ... that's crazy. And very special."
