Shakira turns Quito into the capital of Latin music!
Quito, Nov 9 (EFE).- By Susana Madera
Colombian superstar Shakira transformed Quito into the capital of Latin music on Saturday night, blending strength, talent, and fiery energy in the first of three concerts she will perform in Ecuador as part of her world tour “Las mujeres ya no lloran” (Women No Longer Cry).
Before some 35,000 fans, the show, delayed by more than an hour, became a celebration of rhythm and resilience that ran past midnight.
It opened with a sequence of music videos projected on giant screens, followed by a visual montage tracing the Barranquilla-born artist’s career, from Pies Descalzos, the album that launched her global fame, to her latest hits.
When Shakira finally appeared on stage, the stadium erupted in cheers and applause, marking the start of a two-hour journey through nostalgia and reinvention.
Ballads like Antología and Inevitable stirred emotion among longtime fans, while La bicicleta and Chantaje turned the stands into a massive dance floor.
Her new tracks from “Las mujeres ya no lloran,” including Monotonía and Copa Vacía, drew a euphoric response, with fans lighting up the night sky with multicolored wristbands handed out at the entrance.
A night of milestones and records
The “Las mujeres ya no lloran” tour, spanning 82 shows, has already grossed millions and sold over 2.5 million tickets, making it the highest-grossing Latin tour ever by a woman.
In Ecuador, overwhelming demand led Shakira to add two extra concerts in Quito, scheduled for Sunday and Tuesday.
Saturday’s performance also marked a symbolic date: on Nov. 8, 2011, Shakira received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming the first Colombian artist to earn that honor.
Fourteen years later, at 48, she reaffirmed her global influence with a dazzling production that united multiple generations.
An emotional eruption in the Andes
At the foot of the Pichincha volcano, Quito became a “volcano of emotions.” Tears, laughter, and dance filled the cool Andean night as the city welcomed around 100,000 visitors drawn by what locals call the “Shakira phenomenon.”
Sandra, 52, said she was “overwhelmed by the energy Shakira radiates,” leaving the concert inspired by one of the singer’s on-screen “commandments of the she-wolf”: “A wolf does not compete with her own — she helps and protects them.”
Luciana, 9, declared she had “wanted to see Shakira since I was little,” describing her idol as “super nice.”
A celebration of strength and freedom
Shakira’s unmistakable voice and on-stage dynamism were matched by bold choreography, striking costumes, and immersive visual effects.
But it was Soltera, the song that most reflects her new personal chapter, that electrified the crowd, turning the stadium into a shared dance of catharsis and empowerment.
The night ended in euphoria as Shakira performed Waka Waka and her viral hit BZRP Music Sessions Vol. 53, after projecting the “10 Commandments of the She-Wolf” — among them, “You will choose your path without anyone imposing it on you.” EFE sm-sk
