Shakira's first album in seven years, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloranarrived last week and the megastar celebrated her return with a huge surprise concert in Times Square.
The “pop up” show, which was broadcast live YouTubeannounced on her social media just hours before she was scheduled to appear at 7:15 p.m. ET According to her star official account40,000 people flocked to New York's Times Square.
A giant digital billboard displayed a clock counting down the time, and after the crowd counted down to zero, Shakira appeared on the TSX stage from atop a towering podium. The singer, appearing in a black shirt and trousers adorned with silver trim, opened with her iconic Number One hit 'Hips Don't Lie'.
“Hello New York! Wow, this is amazing, absolutely insane. Unbelievable to be here,” he said afterward, addressing the crowd in both English and Spanish. “It's so great to see you again. Thank you so much for all the love you have given me this week during the release of my new album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloranand thank you, thank you, thank you for showing up.”
She then dived into her 30-minute set, flocking to backup dancers as she performed tracks from her new album, including the single “Te Felicito,” “Punteria” and “Cómo Dónde y Cuándo.” As the crowd sang along, Shakira closed the show with her hit “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53', a collaborative track with Bizarrap that sees the singer reflecting on her ex, Spanish soccer star Gerard Piqué.
The surprise show took place a day after Shakira's stop The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonduring which she described the ways in which the end of their marriage gave her the freedom to explore more fulfilling avenues.
“I haven't had time because of the husband factor,” Shakira said when discussing her creative endeavors. “Now I am without a husband. Yes, the husband dragged me down. Now I am free. Now I can really work.”
“For too long we've been sent crying with the script in our hands and no end just because we're women,” she continued. “We have to hide our pain in front of our children, in front of society. We have to heal in a certain way.” Shakira has two children, ages 11 and 9, with Piqué.
In a review of Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, Rolling rock wrote: “Shakira can finally turn the page on these tumultuous past two years and re-introduce herself – not Shakira the soccer player, not Shakira the heartthrob – but Shakira the fucking Mebarak, international pop icon and undefeated champion.”
from our partners at https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/shakira-free-concert-times-square-new-york-1234994980/
