Shakira performed to the largest crowd of her career on Sunday (3/1) when she brought her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour to Mexico City’s Zócalo, drawing an estimated 400,000 people into the vast historic plaza.
The Grammy-winning Colombian singer, who turned 49 last month, produced the free show as a gesture of thanks to her Mexican fans who have embraced her most recent LP, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran.
The epic turnout nearly doubled the crowd from her previous appearance in the same square in 2007, which pulled in around 210,000 people.
Before Sunday, her largest appearance was a different free show in Tbilisi, Georgia, in 2007, which was estimated as being around 350,000 attendees.
The Zócalo, previously known as Plaza de la Constitución, is one of the most popular civic spaces in Latin America. Located in the historic center of Mexico City between the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace, the square has been a political and cultural gathering place for Mexicans for centuries.
“Today I feel a mix of excitement, nostalgia, and gratitude," Shakira told the massive crowd, some of whom had slept in the square for days to be closest to the stage.
“This is a love and friendship story I have with Mexico that can't be compared to anything. Thank you for all the excitement, all the joy you've made me feel. There's definitely no better reunion than that of a little she-wolf with her Mexican pack here today at the Zócalo. Forever, we are one.”
The record-breaking set of 25 songs moved between five songs of the latest record with fan favorites and longtime staples from her catalog.
After the introductory videos on enormous screens her performance went from “La fuerte” and the Black Eyed Peas collab “GIRL LIKE ME,” into a fun mashup of “Las de la intuición” and “Estoy aquí.”
Later in the show she delivered her most popular bangers like “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Chantaje,” “Suerte (Whenever, Wherever),” and “Waka Waka (Esto es África).”
One of the more tender moments came during “Acróstico,” where the video screens featured her sons Milan (13) and Sasha (11) singing.
"Today is our last day here in Mexico, my home,” Shakira told the fans, referencing the fact that she was at the tail end of performing her 31st show of the tour in the country.
A huge chunk of those performances were at the Estadio GNP Seguros, the 65,000 capacity soccer stadium that she sold out 13 times, dwarfing Bad Bunny's 8-show run there last December.
Of the 400k who enjoyed the spectacle was Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, who caught part of the show from her residence at the National Palace, which resides on the side of the Zócalo.
She told the press she tuned in to some of the broadcast and even stood in the window of the palace for a little while to soak in the scene.
Hopefully she caught the live debut Shakira had with fellow Columbian performer, Beéle, on the track "Algo Tu" which blends Latin pop with Caribbean-influenced elements.
The previously unreleased song officially dropped yesterday. What a sneak preview to have it sung to 400k including the Mexican president.
Shakira will now take a few weeks off before wrapping up the tour in the Middle East, India and Africa.
Get your tix on Shakira's website.
Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour remaining dates
3/28 Ayla Oasis Golf Club, Aqaba, Jordan
4/01 Stadium 974 – Ras Abu Aboud, Doha, Qatar
4/04 Offlimits Music Festival, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
4/07 Shakira Live at the Pyramids of Giza, Al Haram, Egypt
4/10 Mahalaxmi Race Course, Mumbai, India
4/15 Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, India
4/19 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
