Shakira sings “La Tortura” with Alejandro Sanz as a surprise guest at her concert
Por Miriam Gonzalez ·
This Friday, a question was making the rounds among fans at “Macondo Park” in Madrid—the venue Shakira set up for her 12-concert residency in the Spanish capital: Who will be the special guest?
The answer came halfway through the concert, when the first lyrics of a song were heard: “Oh, my dear friend, save your poetry, save your joy for yourself”—a moment when the audience erupted in joy with cheers and applause to welcome Alejandro Sanz, who emerged from the flames rising from the stage.
“My brother Alejandro Sanz,” Shakira said as she introduced the Madrid-born artist, while he played his guitar with passion.
“I can’t believe it,” some said, moved by the surprise, since for fans, the bond between the two artists represents not just a single musical collaboration, but a friendship spanning more than 20 years.
Accompanied by some 55,000 spectators singing at the top of their lungs, the two artists performed “Tortura,” a song that revolutionized the music industry by being one of the first to fuse pop with Latin sounds, and that brought together all generations tonight.
Shakira Surprises Fans with Alejandro Sanz at Her Madrid Residency Concert
On the eve of the full moon, Shakira took the opportunity to recall the “Ten Commandments of a She-Wolf,” which the audience recited “loud and clear” before ending with a howl, before dancing to the song “Loba.”
She reinforced her message about powerful women by quoting the Chilean writer Isabel Allende: “As individuals, women are more vulnerable, but together, we are invincible.”
She couldn’t resist a nod to the inspiration behind her album and tour— her breakup with soccer player Piqué—and said that “in today’s world, being single is a big deal”; you feel lost, without a compass, before singing her song “Soltera.”
As a true native of Barranquilla, I couldn’t miss the cumbiamba parade through “Macondo Park” at the end of the concert—which brought back memories of the one on Via 40 in Barranquilla during Carnival season—and the famous “danza del garabato” dance.
For this celebration of cumbia from her native Caribbean, Shakira brought in the genre’s best, such as gaitero Marlon Peroza and singer Orito, who accompanied the iconic marimondas, a staple of the Curramba carnival.
But Carnival isn’t just celebrated in Colombia. At “Macondo Park,” visitors could also experience the festivities through other traditions from across the continent, such as Uruguayan candombe, Bolivian carnavalito, and Brazilian batucada, according to a report by Agencia EFE.
Here you can watch part of the performance by Alejandro Sanz and Shakira.