Times Square seemed to be in the throes of the largest celebration of the year, even though it wasn’t New Year’s Eve. Why? Because the legendary setting was graced by the presence of Shakira, the Colombian diva, who performed to an enthusiastic crowd of about 40,000 people.
Everything about it was unexpected. In honor of the release of her most recent album, “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran,” Shakira planned a spontaneous “pop-up” concert on social media. In a matter of hours, many of her ardent fans flocked to Times Square, hoping to see their idol perform live.
The excitement peaked as a huge electronic billboard began to light up and show the countdown to the event’s beginning. There was a tangible sense of suspense in the air as the numbers decreased. The stage curtains opened as the countdown reached zero, showing Shakira poised to launch into her breakthrough song, “Hips Don’t Lie.”
Shakira looked like a movie star as she walked the stage with a band and a group of dancers, wearing stylish black clothing with silver accents. As she began her performance, the audience went crazy, enjoying her live interpretations of hits like “Te Felicito,” “TQM,” “Cómo Dónde y Cuándo,” and of course, her most recent single, “Puntería.”
Shakira takes a break between songs to speak to her devoted followers. “Hello, New York! She spoke in Spanish and English with ease and cried, “Oh my God, this is amazing, absolutely insane.” “Seeing you again and getting to sing for you is so amazing. There is nothing like this. I sincerely appreciate all of the love and support you have shown me this week as Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, my new CD, has been released. And I want to express my gratitude for coming.”
Shakira was working the stage and feeding off the excitement of the audience, and the atmosphere in Times Square was explosive. As the evening came to an end, she did it in style, giving a riveting rendition of her popular collaboration, “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53.”
Shakira took a time to thank her fans as the last notes reverberated over Times Square. “I’m glad to be here with my Latino friends,” she said, her voice full with emotion. “I am grateful, New York. Until the next occasion. I adore you so much.”
Something extraordinary happened on what appeared to be an average Tuesday night in the center of New York City, where fantasies mix with the neon brilliance of Times Square. The streets were transformed into a pulsating sea of energy and excitement by the presence of Shakira, a single woman, rather than by a large celebration or holiday extravaganza.
Shakira invited her followers to an impromptu pop-up concert in honor of her most recent song, “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran,” with hardly a social media announcement. Shakira’s spontaneous performance served as a reminder of the unifying and uplifting power of music in a world when spontaneity is frequently eclipsed by schedules and routines.
Anxiety permeated the air as the show’s start time approached like a tangible force. A diverse mix of voices and faces, the throng gathered under the glare of tall billboards, their anticipation for their star to enter the stage evident.
The stage doors suddenly opened, and there she was—Shakira, bright and resplendent, ready to share her gift with the world—in an instant that seemed like the universe holding its breath. With her stunning outfit that glistened like stardust against the city lights, she radiated a magnetic energy that captivated the audience and held them spellbound with every note and motion.
From the opening notes of “Hips Don’t Lie” to the heart-wrenching tunes of “TQM” and “Puntería,” Shakira commanded the stage with a presence that was both empathetic and authoritative.
Every song was more than just a performance; it was a voyage that used music, the global language, to convey the pleasures and tribulations of the human experience.
The moments of connection, though, between the performer and the audience and between strangers brought together by a love of music, were possibly the most moving parts of the evening. Shakira’s comments struck a genuine chord with the audience that cut over linguistic and cultural barriers. “Seeing you again and getting to sing for you is so amazing. “There’s nothing like this,” she replied, her tone humble and full of thanks. “I sincerely appreciate all of the love and support you have shown me this week as my new album has been released.
It seemed as though time had stopped that instant under the sparkling lights of Times Square, and the only things that mattered were the music, the bond, and the shared sense of being alive and at that moment. And as Shakira said goodbye to her devoted followers, her words lingered in the air like a promise: more music, more intimate encounters, more reasons to believe in the uplifting and inspiring power of art.
With hearts full and spirits high, the throng dispersed into the night, carrying with them the memories of a magnificent evening—a night when Shakira took over Times Square and turned it into a joyful and wonder-filled place. And in a world that can frequently feel gloomy and uncertain, the music will always be there, even when the lights may go out and the crowds may thin.