Enrique Iglesias Rocks Toronto
I wrote this review the day
following the concert but haven't posted it here since, well, it's not
exactly on topic. But then, I suddenly remembered Enrique was/is/has
been/whatever dating Anna Kournikova, so technically I can swing it as
tennis related. HA! So, here it goes...
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| Photo: MegiMK |
Toronto, ON - When a few months ago Enrique Iglesias
bowed out of the just announced tour with Britney Spears all signs in
the sky and on the Earth were suggesting this was the best thing he
could have done. Why? Mainly because it meant he'd likely resume his
highly-taunted 'Euphoria' tour and possibly bring it to Toronto.
And
that's exactly what happened, at the beginning oh June it was
announced Enrique would be performing in Toronto, the only Canadian
stop on the 2nd part of the tour, on September 29 and bringing Pitbull along!
It's
impossible for the to mention Enrique Iglesias without thinking back to
late 1990s and the times when all my female friends had posters of him
in their bedrooms. At the same time, I was rocking a huge poster of his
girlfriend, Anna Kournikova. What can I say, once a tennis player/fan,
always a tennis player/fan.
Not having really paid much attention to Enrique and his music throughout the years, other than what has been playing on the radio, I must admit I was always convinced he's just a boysband-type pretty guy who can't sing and got famous mainly because of his looks and a famous daddy. But since live performance is always a make it or break it for me when it comes to music, and especially singers, my perceptions were to be put to test on September 29 at the Air Canada Centre.
The evening was scheduled to open with performance by Prince Royce. Unfortunately, he lost to burgers at Real Sports across the street from the Air Canada Centre. Tough decision but coming straight from work food had a definite edge.
We arrived at the arena shortly before 8 pm which is then Pitbull was supposed to take the stage. Unlike some of the previous stops on tour, he didn't make us wait long. In a great move, he opened with highly energetic hit 'Hey Baby (Drop it to the floor)' and pull the sold-out crowd off of their feet right from the get go. Sharply dressed, all in black, busting some some fine dance moves, he performed all of his signature songs including 'Give me Everything' with Nayer who joined him on the stage.
Everyone loved it. Everyone except me. I do
appreciate the high energy and everything but when I go to a live
concert I do appreciate some good live singing and Pitbull, sadly, did
not pass the test. Due to the nature of many of his hit songs, a lot of
the singing was a playback. His live singing voice was not that great
either. Frankly, it was quite unimpressive. Pitbull? I'd rather say
Chihuahua...
After this opening experience I wasn't expecting much form Enrique, especially considering how auto-tune heavy many of his songs are, but figured
After just a short break to prepare the stage, the white see-through veil curtain fell to the stage revealing Enrique Iglesias behind the mic, dressed down in jeans t-shirt and his signature ball cap. He opened with "Tonight", starting with the radio-friendly version then switching to x-rated chorus, to the great approval of the 95% female crowd in the building.
Next up was the first Spanish song of the night, 'No Me Digas Que No', followed by 'Bailamos' that got the crowd singing along.
Three songs later I stood corrected - Enrique could sing, and sing well. He also had a great chemistry with the crowd. Before one of the songs he sat down and started reminiscing about the six months he spent in Toronto while recording his first album at the age of 18. "All I did was eat Chinese food and watch porn". If you believe such things... He also praised the city's multiculturalism and tolerance. Next, he pulled an Ecuadorian lad named Eli onto the stage for a bit of a chat and... a few shots of whiskey! "How old are you"? - Iglesias asked. - "25" answered the lucky guy. - "25? That's exactly make age!" - joked Enrique.
Next up was the guitar version of Duran Duran's 'Come Undone' followed by Enrique's "Be with You" after which he walk of the stage and after a few minutes of suspense and shrieks from the adoring crowd he appeared at the smaller stage set up at the back of the floor.
Once again, he pulled a fan, this time a girl, up onto the stage. Unfortunately, the neck strap which was the only thing keeping her top attached broke in the process resulting in a major wardrobe malfunction. Enrique recognized what was up and hugged the girl tightly preventing the top of falling off completely. Staying like that for the entire song, he sang one of his greatest hits 'Here'. When he was done he asked the (un)lucky lady where she was from. Iran was the answer. When the two finally got separated after the long hug the girl fell to the ground half with excitement, half of trying to figure out how to cover herself with the pesky top. “You’re in Canada, you can do whatever the hell you want!” he said to her before they embraced the final time, kissed and disappeared off the stage.
Seconds later, Enrique reappeared on the main stage's catwalk, joined by Pittbull' and broke into "I like it" which made the crowd explode as confetti and huge balloons with the singer's 'ei' logo started coming down at the ecstatic crowd. There and then, the ACC turned into the biggest dance club Toronto has ever seen.
What I really liked about Enrique's set was his great
singing voice, first and foremost, but also the fact there was very
little glitz and glamour involved. No fluff, oversexed dancers or other
'smoke screens'.... He just went out there and sang. All great singing,
all around.
All prejudices and misconceptions I might have head regarding Mr. Iglesias are dead and gone. I'm a fan.
Not having really paid much attention to Enrique and his music throughout the years, other than what has been playing on the radio, I must admit I was always convinced he's just a boysband-type pretty guy who can't sing and got famous mainly because of his looks and a famous daddy. But since live performance is always a make it or break it for me when it comes to music, and especially singers, my perceptions were to be put to test on September 29 at the Air Canada Centre.
The evening was scheduled to open with performance by Prince Royce. Unfortunately, he lost to burgers at Real Sports across the street from the Air Canada Centre. Tough decision but coming straight from work food had a definite edge.
We arrived at the arena shortly before 8 pm which is then Pitbull was supposed to take the stage. Unlike some of the previous stops on tour, he didn't make us wait long. In a great move, he opened with highly energetic hit 'Hey Baby (Drop it to the floor)' and pull the sold-out crowd off of their feet right from the get go. Sharply dressed, all in black, busting some some fine dance moves, he performed all of his signature songs including 'Give me Everything' with Nayer who joined him on the stage.
 |
| Photo: MegiMK |
After this opening experience I wasn't expecting much form Enrique, especially considering how auto-tune heavy many of his songs are, but figured
After just a short break to prepare the stage, the white see-through veil curtain fell to the stage revealing Enrique Iglesias behind the mic, dressed down in jeans t-shirt and his signature ball cap. He opened with "Tonight", starting with the radio-friendly version then switching to x-rated chorus, to the great approval of the 95% female crowd in the building.
Next up was the first Spanish song of the night, 'No Me Digas Que No', followed by 'Bailamos' that got the crowd singing along.
Three songs later I stood corrected - Enrique could sing, and sing well. He also had a great chemistry with the crowd. Before one of the songs he sat down and started reminiscing about the six months he spent in Toronto while recording his first album at the age of 18. "All I did was eat Chinese food and watch porn". If you believe such things... He also praised the city's multiculturalism and tolerance. Next, he pulled an Ecuadorian lad named Eli onto the stage for a bit of a chat and... a few shots of whiskey! "How old are you"? - Iglesias asked. - "25" answered the lucky guy. - "25? That's exactly make age!" - joked Enrique.
Next up was the guitar version of Duran Duran's 'Come Undone' followed by Enrique's "Be with You" after which he walk of the stage and after a few minutes of suspense and shrieks from the adoring crowd he appeared at the smaller stage set up at the back of the floor.
Once again, he pulled a fan, this time a girl, up onto the stage. Unfortunately, the neck strap which was the only thing keeping her top attached broke in the process resulting in a major wardrobe malfunction. Enrique recognized what was up and hugged the girl tightly preventing the top of falling off completely. Staying like that for the entire song, he sang one of his greatest hits 'Here'. When he was done he asked the (un)lucky lady where she was from. Iran was the answer. When the two finally got separated after the long hug the girl fell to the ground half with excitement, half of trying to figure out how to cover herself with the pesky top. “You’re in Canada, you can do whatever the hell you want!” he said to her before they embraced the final time, kissed and disappeared off the stage.
Seconds later, Enrique reappeared on the main stage's catwalk, joined by Pittbull' and broke into "I like it" which made the crowd explode as confetti and huge balloons with the singer's 'ei' logo started coming down at the ecstatic crowd. There and then, the ACC turned into the biggest dance club Toronto has ever seen.
 |
| Photo: MegiMK |
All prejudices and misconceptions I might have head regarding Mr. Iglesias are dead and gone. I'm a fan.
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