BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Check out a slideshow from the concert here.
Shakira's last South Florida performance in 2006 meant that fans have
had four years, and one successful CD release, to prepare for Saturday
night's concert at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise. Commencing with
a dramatic vocal presentation of "Pienso En Ti" and "Why Wait," she
quickly lured in the crowd's attention by replying to their applause
with a playful declaration -- "I'm here to please you!" And that she
did.
Only Shakira can exude enough sexual energy to get the elderly
woman to my right to shake her hips to classic hits like "Whenever,
Wherever" and "La Tortura." The arena was packed with people of all
ages, lively and sincere with their love for the Colombian singing
sensation.
After a few songs, Shakira traded her tight pleather pants for a long flamenco-style skirt and took the show to a more intimate level by bringing several band members to the front of the catwalk for a cover of "Nothing Else Matters" -- a song better left to the demise of a Metallica concert (more on Shakira's best cover songs here). Next she proved to the crowd that she can do more than gyrate her hips in motions that arouse even the most innocent of minds by playing the harmonica in a rather uplifting version of "Gypsy." After hearing the lyrics "I might steal your clothes and wear them if they fit me," most of the crowd probably thought they were too fully clothed for the likes of Shakira.
The enthusiastic eight-person band kept the buoyant personality of the concert alive for nearly 20 songs. By the time "Gordita" was performed, it was unclear what was more mesmerizing: the giant holographic face at the back of the stage or one of the bassist's (what must have been Lyle Lovett-inspired) hairstyles. An outfit change later, and Shakira was back with a dramatic intro to "She Wolf" -- in which two dancers, scantily clad in black mesh shirts, joined her on stage. It was apparent that three hip-shaking beauties were better than one. She ended the show, exhibiting her half-Lebanese roots, by belly-dancing her way into "Ojos Asi." As the band exited the stage, there were numerous pleas for "Waka Waka!" As promised earlier, Shakira returned to the stage to please the crowd by ending the three-song encore with the 2010 FIFA World Cup theme song.
Critic's Notebook
Better than: Watching the video for "She Wolf" on-demand.
Personal bias: "Gordita" is an amusing song but could have been better performed with a surprise appearance by Calle 13 instead of a gigantic holographic head.
Random detail: Shakira's metallic shirt ripped off faster than Flo Rida rips off another musician's song.
By the way: The exorbitant $25 parking fee could be avoided by parking across the street at Sawgrass Mills.
Set List:
Pienso en Ti
Why Wait
Te dejo Madrid
Si te Vas
Whenever, Wherever
Inevitable
El Nay A'atini Naya
Nothing Else Matters /Despedida
Gypsy
La Tortura
Ciega, sordomuda
Underneath Your Clothes
Gordita
Sale el Sol
Las de la Intuicion
Loca
She Wolf
Ojos Asi
Antes de las Seis
Hips Don't Lie
Waka Waka
-- Ashley Pearson
