Shakira’s El Dorado World Tour wows US fans – but no plans to play in Asia yet
Colombian, 41, mesmerises with fluid gyrations and tenacious arena-filling vocals – the anchor of her staying power – in Washington during delayed tour
On screen flashed a black-and-white photograph of a young girl with dark-coloured hair and a winning smile. On stage stood golden-locked megastar Shakira, still with that same grin, but this time in bright colour and dynamic motion.
The Colombian-born songstress reminded the crowd at Capital One Arena in Washington during her El Dorado World Tour on Saturday night that her musical lifespan stretched decades from when she started as a teenage artist.
Her catalogue includes hits in English and Spanish, covering folk-inspired rock, electro-fuelled pop and hip-shaking reggaeton.
The late writer Gabriel García Márquez, a friend of the singer, once described Shakira’s vocals as having “a natural range that will survive her excesses”.
The singer’s tour in support of her latest album, “El Dorado” – which does not include any dates listed in Asia so far, according to her official website – was to have started last November. But health issues – a vocal chord haemorrhage during rehearsals – led to the start being delayed until June.
However, Shakira’s resonating voice rebounded in Washington – her signature vibrato shining through the blaze of pyrotechnics and flurry of confetti and gold sparkles.