Christian Nodal electrified the stage, causing a flood of emotion at New York's Barclays Center on Saturday night (October 26), leaving no doubt about his unparalleled vocal prowess.
Unlike many of today's concerts – especially in the urban music landscape, which often rely heavily on fireworks, costume changes and choreography – Nodal's performance, part of the Pa'l Cora tour, showed above all his commanding voice.
Start of the concert at 9 pm with “El Mariachi” by Antonio Banderas starring Criminal soundtrack, Nodal immediately set the tone for the evening. Dressed sharply in beige snakeskin trousers with turquoise accents, a matching vest and a white long-sleeved shirt unbuttoned to reveal a silver cross chain and his tattoos, he embodied his signature cowboy rocker aesthetic. The Sonoran singer's stage was graced by a mariachi troupe in elegant crimson outfits, an accordionist, backup singers, a brass section and an electric guitarist — perfectly blending mariachi with norteño in his famous “mariacheño” fusion.
One of the performance's many highlights was when Nodal seamlessly delivered a medley of Vicente Fernández classics, including “El Rey,” “Volver Volver,” “Acá Entre Nos,” and “Mujeres Divinas.” Again, the tribute showcased his expansive vocal chops and ability to emotionally convey pain, sadness and elation, leaving the audience spellbound.
Further enhancing the night, Christian Nodal brought out surprise guest, Ángela Aguilar, his wife, who just the night before made her appearance in Bogotá, Colombia, with her father, the legend Pepe Aguilar. Nodal playfully asked the crowd, “Y'all want him to sing?” Angela, wearing an elegant black outfit, sang their duet on “Dime Cómo Quieres”. Then she exclaimed, “Because you are my husband, Christian!” showing off her ring during the song, and at the end they shared a kiss before exiting, prompting cheers and applause.
Nodal's affection for his audience was evident as he addressed them between songs, expressing a special anticipation for his performance in New York. “Not to be a nice guy, but I'll tell you something. On the tour, there were 26 dates in the United States. But among all that, what I dreamed of the most was with you, New York. Something I love about here in New York is that it's a beautiful place for Latinos,” he said.
He further adapted his set for the New York audience, acknowledging the significant Dominican presence, and performed a bachata live for the first time with “La Bachatita”. Additionally, unexpected covers like Maná's “Clavado en un Bar” and Hombres G's “Devuélveme a Mi Chica” showed his versatility, while his renditions of Selena's “Como Una Flor” further demonstrated his wide appeal.
Nodal completed his over two-hour performance without a vocal break – a testament to his impressive stamina. His performances of “La Intención” originally with Peso Pluma and “Por El Resto de Tu Vida” originally with TINI, were highlights that highlighted a night of close connection.
The Mexican music creator will continue his Pa'l Cora tour, making stops in Boston, Orlando, Atlanta, Baltimore and more. Check out the rest of the tour dates here.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/christian-nodal-angela-aguilar-new-york-concert-review-1235812302/
