Shakira’s Triumphant Homecoming Electrifies Barranquilla
The Estadio Metropolitano, packed with tens of thousands of fervent fans, witnessed a performance that was as much a personal reckoning as it was a musical spectacle
On Thursday night, Shakira, the global pop icon whose hips famously don’t lie, returned to her hometown of Barranquilla for the first time in 19 years, delivering a performance that was as much a personal reckoning as it was a musical spectacle. The Estadio Metropolitano, packed with tens of thousands of fervent fans, throbbed with anticipation as the Colombian superstar took the stage for her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour,” a celebration of resilience and reinvention that has captivated audiences worldwide.
The concert, which locals hailed as a historic homecoming, unfolded under a sultry Caribbean sky, the air thick with nostalgia and pride. Shakira, 48, opened with “Estoy Aqui,” her 1995 breakout hit, a nod to the city that shaped her. The crowd roared as she transitioned seamlessly into newer material from her latest album, including the aching “Session 53” and the defiant “Te Felicito,” songs born from her highly publicized split with soccer star Gerard Piqué. Her voice, still a marvel of power and precision, carried the weight of both her past and her present.
Visually, the show was a feast. Clad in custom designs by Versace, Zuhair Murad, Guarav Gupta, and Jawara Alleyne, Shakira shimmered under the lights, her costumes a kaleidoscope of color and texture. A standout moment came during “Hips Don’t Lie,” when her signature belly-dancing ignited the stadium, a reminder of the cultural fusion—Colombian, Lebanese, and global—that defines her artistry. She accessorized with Tiffany & Co. jewelry, each piece engraved with the tour’s title, a subtle testament to her attention to detail.
For Barranquilla, a port city often overshadowed by Bogotá or Medellín, the night was a coronation of sorts. Fans waved Colombian flags and chanted her name, their devotion palpable. “She’s ours,” said Maria Elena Torres, a 32-year-old teacher who traveled hours to attend. “This is where she began, and she hasn’t forgotten us.”
The setlist, a blend of anthems like “Chantaje” and “Monotonia,” showcased Shakira’s evolution from Latin pop pioneer to a mature artist unafraid of vulnerability. As she closed with “TQG,” a collaboration with Karol G, the stadium erupted, a collective catharsis for a city and a star intertwined. Shakira, tears in her eyes, blew kisses to the crowd. “Barranquilla, you are my heart,” she said. For one night, that heart beat louder than ever.
