Wolves and tigers and hulas, oh my!

Two of Latin music's biggest rock bands, Los Tigres del Norte (The Tigers of the North) and Los Lobos (The Wolves), are headed this way, in a diverse pop week that also includes top Hawaiian singing and dancing star Keali'i Reichel.

Los Tigres, based in San Jose, Calif., is the most popular Spanish-language rock band in the world, having turned out hit records for more than 30 years.

The long-in-the-tooth Tigers invented the popular "narco-corrido" style — vivid outlaw tales of colorful drug smugglers — back in the 1970s, and still include them on their albums, along with other "corridos" (narrative folk ballads) ranging from humorous songs of folky wisdom to strong political messages.

The band's songs of outrage over the killings of women (more than 350 in the last decade) in Ciudad Juarez, just across the border from El Paso, have caused controversy on both sides of the border.

Concert previews

Keali'i Reichel, 8 p.m. tomorrow, Summer Nights at South Lake Union Park, Seattle; $38 (206-628-0888 or www.ticketmaster.com; information: www.summernights.org).

Los Tigres del Norte, 8 p.m. tomorrow, Qwest Field Event Center, Seattle; $40 (206-628-0888 or www.ticketmaster.com).

Los Lobos, 6 p.m. Wednesday, ZooTunes, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle; sold out (www.zoo.org).

Mexican officials complain that Los Tigres' charges of political corruption are unfair, while advocacy groups on this side of the border charge that the group is exploiting the victims. Los Tigres' members say they are shedding light on horrendous crimes, in the long tradition of protest music.

Los Tigres' albums also contain funny songs about everyday life, like "Ay Que Lios" ("What A Mess"), about the difficulties of large extended families, from its current, Grammy-winning album, "Directo al Corazon" ("Straight to the Heart)."

With several generations of fans, there are sure to be many family groups heading to Los Tigres' show tomorrow at Qwest Field Event Center, the group's first show here since playing the Tacoma Dome in 2002.

Los Lobos is the gifted Tex-Mex roots-rock band from Los Angeles that sings in both English and Spanish. One of America's most distinctive rock bands, its music encompasses a wide variety of influences, including Spanish and Mexican music, rockabilly, blues, R&B, folk and country. The band unselfconsciously sifts all those influences into a lively, engaging style all its own.

Its vibrant performances include sweet, romantic ballads, high-energy rock workouts and irresistible Latin dance rhythms. Los Lobos puts a smile on your face and rhythm in your feet. Its show here Wednesday at ZooTunes, like all of its shows here, sold out in a jiffy.

For something completely different, there's Keali'i Reichel, tomorrow at Summer Nights at South Lake Union Park. The handsome young singer-songwriter-dancer, currently the top recording artist in Hawaii, sings mostly in Hawaiian, but also in English. He performs pop ballads and love songs, in a warm, sweet singing voice.

The half-German, half-native Hawaiian is also a master hula dancer. He will perform with his band and dance company. The show should be a perfect way to end a warm summer day.

Patrick MacDonald: 206-464-2312 or pmacdonald@seattletimes.com