15 June 19 - 25, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents Shakira Dazzles in Arlington “There’s absolutely no better feeling than when a she-wolf is back with her pack.” BY ERIC DIEP W hen a strawberry moon rises, that means the she-wolves come out on a Wednesday night. At Globe Life Field, groups of fans from across all generations slowly made their way inside in anticipation of Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour. Hip scarves were everywhere, and accessories for the she-wolves included bucket hats and wolf headbands with LED lights. People had purple hair, a callback to her video for “Las de la Intuición.” Venue staff handed out colorful light-up bracelets to enhance the audience experience and make you feel part of the Wolfpack. The Colombian superstar’s North Ameri- can tour dates, specifically in Texas, start here in Dallas before she heads to San Anto- nio and Houston. Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, which won the World Series in 2023, had a palpable energy. If the smell of a ballpark frank and BBQ wasn’t en- ticing enough, the night brought an atmo- sphere of fun and frivolity. People were with their families and kids. Some were with their elderly parents to share a new memory together. Others were with friends, drinking Micheladas and being merry. This was Shakira’s purpose for these con- cert dates: to be profound gatherings where healing happens. Because there was no opener, the audience got increasingly hyped for every Shakira video that played on the screen. Some Kaytranada was mixed in to calm the excitement, but it only lasted a few seconds. As it neared 9:15 p.m., fans pulled out their phones and stood on chairs as she and her dancers began cutting through the field to the stage. In a silver and gold-lined jumpsuit and futuristic glasses, Shakira blew kisses at fans. She’s got “mad aura,” as the kids would say. A video opened of an AI-generated version of a giant Shakira walking through the desert, looking visibly worn down. She falls into the sand and rises from the Earth as a new woman, speaking to Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran’s themes of resilience and female empowerment. Backed by her band, some of its members that have been with her for over 20 years, she opened with high-energy hits “La Fuerte,” “Girl Like Me” and “Te Felicito,” the first of many tightly choreographed performances with her crew of dancers that brought her mu- sic videos to life. “This is incredible,” Shakira told the crowd. “It’s incredible to be here, reunited with all of you. It’s a dream. I’ve been count- ing the days to be here in Texas. Finally! Yes! Thank you so much for coming tonight, the first night in Texas. This is just amazing. There’s absolutely no better feeling than when a she-wolf is back with her pack.” In her two-hour set, Shakira took us to unexpected and familiar places. If this was your first time seeing Shakira, you’re often in awe at how she hasn’t aged one bit, taking her fans through her Latin rock songs, EDM bangers, hip-hop adjacent records and Spanish ballads with poise. She shot to global fame after 2001’s Laun- dry Service, and more recently, had to over- come a messy separation with Gerard Piqué after 11 years together. To see her in brighter spirits after her darkest hours was a joy. “I love you, Shakira!” was heard more than once. People absolutely lost their shit over her signature dance moves and singular stage presence as an experienced enter- tainer who always has a smile. Of course, the hips truly don’t lie. Her career spans three decades, which brings a nostalgia trip for millennials who grew up on MTV’s TRL and saw the videos of “Hips Don’t Lie” and “Whenever, Wher- ever” up and down the countdown. Each person in attendance grew up to a different song or album. Through multiple wardrobe changes, in- terludes and choreography that made her become one with the beat, her songs on stage became a metaphor for survival and fortitude, only making the night more im- portant. When she spoke to the crowd, she looked happy doing what she loved: singing in front of thousands. “Well, to see this place this packed, it is just insane,” Shakira says. “Many of you know that the last few years haven’t been the easiest for me. Who doesn’t have a fall here and there, right? What I’ve learned is the fall isn’t the end, but the beginning of an even better journey. Something I know for sure is us women after each fall, we rise up a little bit stronger, a little bit wiser, more resilient.” Before “Acróstico,” we saw images of a wolf with her cubs, symbolizing Shakira with her two children, Milan and Sasha. She led the crowd through highs and lows, get- ting us dancing to “La Bicicleta” and shaking our hips to “Hips Don’t Lie.” A newly single Shakira was felt during “Soltera,” featuring a giant S on stage, and she used pole dancing to express her freedom. The imagery of gemstones transformed tears into diamonds. It symbolized strength after a public breakup, revisiting her career journey in a video package that had her sing- ing from a young age to turning into an in- ternational phenomenon. She’s gone through many hardships outside of her per- sonal relationship, and this was a full-circle moment for her to sing “Ojos Así,” the 1998 single from Dónde Están los Ladrones that remains a classic in her catalog. There were many more instances like this where she was applauded for being a trailblazer who paved the way for artists to crossover as new multicultural stars in North America. She was one of the first to conquer the Latin world and broke through the American market. It was seen in her paying tribute to the rhythm of mariachi by performing one of her iconic songs, “Ciega, Sordomuda,” in this style, decked out in a red cowboy look with the stage turned into a saloon, fitting for the American dream chas- ers in Arlington. She called these fans “the best in the world” and thanked them for supporting her. On these North American dates, she is pulling out an oldie but goodie, “Under- neath Your Clothes,” which prepared us for the two-punch finale of “Whenever, Wher- ever,” with a mesmerizing knife dance, and “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).” Shakira wanted to keep the party going with an encore. After bright flashes of pur- ple light, the screen projected the “Los 10 Mandamientos de las Lobas.” One that stood out to us was “You will not repress your wild nature,” as more fans began howling. A giant wolf stood tall in our sight, be- coming the show’s centerpiece. Shakira, in full she-wolf gear, performed the track “She Wolf” and concluded the night with “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” turning Globe Life Field into a dancefloor. We howled at our protector and let our animal instincts out, singing deep into the evening. Andrew Sherman Prior to Texas, Shakira performed in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico. ▼ Music
