Shakira @ Oracle

[thatguy]

We have to stand here for 2 hours & look professional

Shoulda learned the dance...

--tg

[Drunk Monk]

those hips

THOSE HIPS!!!

[Drunk Monk]

I was assigned to the Pit (front of stage) with a nooB; Aya is an engineering student & EMT at UC Davies, 20 years old, with about a dozen RM shows under her belt. She was cool. We had a blast.

42,000 sold out tight. Shakira provided lit-up wristbands that were dazzling, especially from the pit. We weren't that close. It was actually next to the pit, stage left, and there was a 50ft TV screen between us and Shakira. She worked the glory ramp hard, but never the side of stages, so that was as close as I got. No where near like last time. Couldn't smell her. Only smelled the insistant fog machines which were whipped away by the wind. The fog came in before sundown and it was cold. Not so cold that I had to run for my flannel, but almost. Aya was more cold. 

The pit has strict rules against taking pix or vids. So I didn't capture any images. I did one of my video selfies but decided against posting it. It was a gift and a privilege to work the pit and I don't want to jeapardize that at all. Sometimes Rock Med kicks down a show for me. And this was one of those nights. 

The stage was flanked two massive TV screens and had a long glory ramp that had a central part that elevated with video screens as the base. Great lights and lasers, amplified by the real fog (the fog machines were useless). And the audience wristbands were just stunning.

The subwoofer was as big as me and about 2 yards from my back. She dropped some depth charges that wobbled my bits so hard that my knees buckled. Delicious bass. Best massage ever (after my wife's)

Shakira had me at hello. She was about 15 mins late, with videos of her duets being projected in the interim. She did a walk through entrance but we couldn't see it at all - it was to a crazy disco version of that song I know but can't summon it - 'here she comes' something like that. One of her first numbers, her back up dancers came out swinging lit-up batons like rainbow lightsabers. So gorgeous. 

The crowd was well dressed, largely latinx, or gay, or with purple hair. There was an 'influencer' who couldn't stop doing selfies in front of us. She had a lot of make up on that probably looks good on IG but was hideously disturbing in person. There was also this woman in white with a cowbow hat and the biggest ass ever. The rest of her body was normal - well, her lips was way too puffed - but that ass. It was ridiculous. She got hellaciously drunk and a young girl (8ish) near her (her daughter maybe?) was very upset. Another older girl in her teens (sister maybe?) tried to comfort her. There was an adult friend too. At one point, the little girl bolted in tears. The SFPD next to us tapped us and I talked to the sister for a moment and got them back to their seats. They left ok - the ass gal was supported by her friend. It was quite the drama. That was our only 'action'. We just watched the show. 

And the show was spectacular. So polished and tight. Shakira balances her signature dance segments with soulful ballads to catch her breath. Lots of shimmery dresses. Lots of costume changes. During one costume change, a camera followed her back to the dressing room. She was singing all the way. We see the make-up touch up and the dress swap (camera discreetly just showed the dropped dress at her feet, then went to the costume rack, then back to Shakira's face. 

Most of her songs in are Spanish. Everyone sang along. The crowd was in tune. 

At 48, Shakira is awesome. She still has her exquisite voice that can slink from bouncy dance hits to soulful ballads. She's still got the moves. My iaido sensei's daughter is into dance and mentioned that there's a dancer that's superior to Shakira in her line up (6 gals, 4 guys). Honestly, all the dancers are technically superior - they're all beautiful and in their 20s. But no one moves like Shakira. She is grace and power in motion. And no one can sing like her. She moves from sultry songstress to a wickedly punchy rapper to an operatic belter with panache - the life of the party. None of them can play guitar (she's not a spectaculer guitarist, but she's competent). Nobody can howl like her. 

During She-Wolf, a giant inflatable wolf emerged for the rest of the show. It was fantastic. I haven't seen a good inflatable in years. 

She's leaning heavily into reggaeton riddems. She went into this hypnotic EDM space towards the end that was absolutely yummy. Her belly dancing and tahitian hula are sharp and precise as ever. Her pole dancing is underwhelming, but I wasn't at the angle to see that well (her pole was set up in a giant S that obscured my view).

I had earplugs all night long, but my tinnitus is way over 11 right now. Small price to pay. 

I love Shakira. She is a true goddess. Such a powerful and inspiring presence. Shakira forever!

We have to stand here for 2 hours & look professional

Shoulda learned the dance...

--tg

I figured out how one of her hip shakes works dynamically. It'll take a lot of practice - perhaps the rest of my life - to get a piece of it. 

those hips...

Shakira's hips are a gift.