On Jan. 3, 2026, the audience at the El Rey theater was impossible to miss. The crowd was dressed up in medieval costumes, faces painted, and glowing with excitement. Red lighting washed over the room as people packed toward the stage, waiting for Tony Jupiter to enter. The night, titled “Quedate Conmigo II,” wasn’t just about the music. It was about creating a space where the audience could let go and be part of something together.
Tony Jupiter is a Chicano surf-goth artist from El Paso, Texas, whose music blends dark, nostalgic sounds with emotional lyrics and Latino cultural influences. Performing alongside bassist Izzy and guitarist Jewels the Clown, Tony Jupiter’s live set was intense, theatrical, and unpredictable. “With all of our auras combined, we bring something really wild together,” Jupiter said. He described the feeling of their shows as “walking into a haunted house when you’re a kid. Scary, exciting, and unforgettable,” which was very apparent at El Rey.
From the start of the set, the energy was high. Izzy hopped around the stage while playing, and Jewels the Clown’s stage presence kept all eyes on him. Jupiter stood center stage in his signature clown face makeup, moving between slow moments like when performing “Que No Ves?” and chaos like in “Solo Sin Tu Amor.” The crowd sang along, jumped, and completely leaned into the experience, feeding off the band’s energy.
Although the show took place in Los Angeles, Jupiter expressed that El Paso is still at the heart of his identity and music, “El Paso is a small, big city. Everybody knows everybody,” Jupiter said. “There’s so much talent here, and I love bringing attention to our hometown. 915 forever.”
Growing up surrounded by culture, music, and community shaped how he approaches his work. Touring outside of El Paso helped him see the bigger picture, but it also reinforced the values he grew up with. “Meeting new people teaches you a lot, and that’s something El Paso raised me with. Respect is everything there,” Jupiter said.
That sense of identity shows up strongly in his music, especially through Spanish lyrics and references to Latino culture. For Jupiter, this is personal, “Growing up, I was told I wasn’t a real Latino because of my skin color,” Jupiter said. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he spent time learning more about his family history, which helped him reconnect with that part of himself. “I realized I had nothing to be ashamed of. Now more than ever, I appreciate my culture and my family. I try to bring people together through my lyrics and if someone’s been through the same thing or feeling out of place, no matter what anyone says, never forget where your blood comes from,” Jupiter said.
Quedate Conmigo II was created with the goal of bringing people together. “Quedate Conmigo is about collaboration and community, no matter where you’re from,” Jupiter said. The Medieval theme added another layer to the night. Between sets, medieval music played through the venue, making the experience feel surreal and almost like stepping into another time. Jupiter said the theme came from wanting the show to be more than just a concert. “I love pulling people out of their comfort zones,” Jupiter said. The result was a night that felt immersive and intentional, where the audience wasn’t just watching.
When it comes to music, the El Rey show was also important for Jupiter. Unlike shorter sets, he was able to play both older songs and newer material, including tracks from different stages in his career. “Getting to go from the beginning of my music to where I am now was powerful,” Jupiter said. “Seeing people connect to what you created is a buzz I don’t get from anything else.”
Jupiter’s clown makeup has become one of his most recognizable features, and it carries a deeper meaning than just aesthetics. Inspired by his dad’s art and one of his favorite songs, “Smile now, cry later” by Sunny & The Sunliners, it represents the idea of masking pain. “We all go through moments where we don’t want to smile,” Jupiter said. “So, we put one on anyway. And I like knowing that no matter what’s happening in my life, my fans will always see me smiling on stage.”
The night also came shortly before the release of Jupiter’s new single “It’s Over,” which dropped on January 30. The song draws inspiration from ‘80s music, and reflects a difficult period in his life. “It’s a goodbye to my angsty youth, old habits, old friends, and old problems. I hope listeners really feel that when they hear it,” Jupiter said. The track, along with its music video directed by Chris Cannon, feels like a turning point in his career.
Jupiter turned Quedate Conmigo II into a space where music, culture, and emotion brought people together. As the night wrapped up, Jupiter emphasized how accessible he wants his work to be, encouraging fans to connect with him across platforms, “You can find me everywhere,” Jupiter said. From more personal posts, fans can see Jupiter’s music process, behind the scenes, adventures, and interviews at (@tony__jupiter) on Instagram, and (@tonyjupiterband) on TikTok.
