The superstar played the first of two nights near NYC on her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour
In an era where major artists find themselves downsizing venues or canceling tours altogether, one artist had to postpone her 2014 fall arena tour because 20,000 seats weren’t big enough. Shakira instead opted for a summer 2025 stadium tour to meet demand.
And demand they did. Thursday’s show (May 15th) at MetLife Stadium outside New York City was the first of two shows at the venue. The May 16th show will welcome another Latin pop superstar, Pitbull, as the opening act.
As darkness fell over the riverbanks between Manhattan and Jersey before 9 pm, Shakira emerged up the stage right aisle, flanked by cameras and dancers. Soon, she reached the extension of her massive stage and began “La Fuerte.”
The she-wolf kept things moving with “Las de las intuitión” (sans purple wig, which many in the crowd were wearing) mashed with “Estoy Aqui.”
Throughout it all, Shakira sang live, her stunningly powerful alto and immediately identifiable vibrato ringing out inside MetLife’s unique circular bowl. Her band, too, was in fine form. If there were loops, they were sparingly used. Live music was at the forefront of the night.
Shakira made a big moment of playing her first major crossover hit of the night, “Hips Don’t Lie.” Wyclef Jean appeared via video screen, with Shakira belting and shaking her titular hips.
Also shaking it were her talented dancers. Whether they were imitating Robotrons as Shakira threw sparks behind them, or appearing seemingly out of nowhere, they added to each number they joined.
Soon after, she took us under the stage for a well-choreographed “Chantaje” as she moved through her quick change tent, the underbelly of the stage, and eventually reemerging on one of the stage’s many moving platforms.
The stage was a marvel itself. Shakira’s inventive graphics—a pink candy workshop, spilling water, a sandy desert, among others—enhanced but never overshadowed the star: the music that has appealed to so many, Shakira had to add capacity to the tour.
Opting for what seems to be the trend at the moment, a stage-wide video wall that can crack open at the center, she performed on the expansive stage in front. Shakira used the magic of her space sparingly. A diamond-mountain platform here, a trapdoor moment there. It never overwhelmed.
“Whenever, Wherever” and “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” gave the one-two punch to close out the main set. Shakira’s longstanding motif of a wolf returned in large form for the encore (and that’s all I’ll say on that.)
Shakira is a once-in-a-generation star that can bring the masses to her Colombian culture, share her roots emphatically, all without alienating her base. This tour is an homage to one of the last true genre-crossing pop stars of her generation.
As of this writing, the NJ Transit is out of order due to the strike. An alternative way to arrive at the East Rutherford hotspot is a must.
