Live review: Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias keep energy high with help from Pitbull at Honda Center
Jennifer Lopez smiles at the Anaheim crowd. Photo: Christine Cotter, for the Register. Click the pic for more.
J to tha L-O, Hello! showed why shes an all-around diva Saturday night with the no-holds-barred show she put on at Honda Center, her first of three co-headlining area appearances this week with Enrique Iglesias.
Hello, lovers, Nuyorican beauty Jennifer Lopez greeted after an extended Disneyesque intro featuring a video, an array of backup dancers and singers and bright lights, all contributing to a nonstop show that was nothing less than the sort of exuberant entertainment youd expect from Jenny from the Block.
Lopez gave fans in Anaheim close to 90 minutes of dramatization, often reenacting some of her most popular videos. How about I go back to the Bronx? she asked. Im just a simple girl from the Bronx. Dont let the sparkly pants fool you.
She then added a hoodie and a matching New York cap to her outfit, because it makes me feel tough, as the set gave way to a montage of the hits Im Real and Aint It Funny (from her 2001 album J.Lo) and All I Have and Jenny from the Block (from 2002s This Is Me Then), almost all of which were accompanied by their respective clips.
It feels good to be in California, Lopez told fans, adding that the Golden State is my second home. Yall ready to dance? Cause thats all were gonna do, she continued, putting her skills as a dancer (and at one point on the congas) to solid effect on Waiting for Tonight, reminiscent of her days as a Fly Girl on In Living Color. Having recently turned 43 has hardly slowed her down.
The energy in here is right, you know, up and down, she said between songs and while trying to catch ! her breath and thanking fans, shaking as many hands as she could, even singing Happy Birthday to You to one ecstatic guy.
Her special guest Pitbull (in town earlier this week to headline Nokia Theatre) definitely kept that energy up when he joined for On the Floor and Dance Again, despite a brief microphone malfunction that prevented anyone from hearing part of Mr. Worldwides rap, during the latter.
Lopez made four wardrobe changes, each another sparkly outfit and over-the-top accoutrement (like the exaggerated Russian fur cap she donned at the outset) that only someone like J.Lo could pull off. The variety may seem like a lot to wait on, yet the gaps in the show hardly went noticed thanks to her troupe and video packages.
One such standout interlude showed Lopez and her beau Casper Smart, spotted watching most of her set from among the crowd, being affectionately lovey-dovey to the tune of Baby I Love You. (He would later appear on stage for her encore tune Dance Again.) Lopez didnt mind playing on her love life, repeatedly making reference to how carried away she tends to get when it comes to love it aint no secret.
Most of her performance maintained this mix of dancing and dramatics, but the former American Idol host brought it down a bit when she sang a slow rendition of my very first song from my very first album (1999s On the 6), my very first No. 1 If You Had My Love. A lot has happened since then some good, some great, some not so great, she admitted before singing One Love to the two people she loves the most, her twins. (Another montage, of the singer with her children, was definitely the sweetest moment of the night.)
While Lopez was eye candy for the papis on hand at Honda Center, Enrique Iglesias was the man of the night with the ladies, who screamed nonstop and frequently seemed to lose their minds over the Spanish heartthrob.
His set was identical to what he offered at Staples Center last October, from start to finish, althou! gh it did! nt feel redundant or boring. Iglesias has a way of engaging the crowd so that even if its the third, fourth or ninth time youve seen him, it doesnt get tiresome.
I know this sounds crazy, but my first big arena show was in Anaheim in 1997. Am I getting too old for this sh**? he asked to a roar of nos. Cause you guys look younger every day and I look older.
Iglesias is known for promoting audience participation, but he took it to another level Saturday night when he invited two couples to join him for his version (and a good one at that) of Stand by Me, which he shared would be his wedding song if he ever decided to take that step. As he interacted with each couple, snapping photos, taking video and toasting them while serenading, the star gave each man the opportunity to sing part of the Ben E. King classic to their women. One was a bit timid, but the other (possibly with a few drinks in him already) was not, showing the love he has for the artist.
Enrique Iglesias kicks ass! he yelled. Enrique Iglesias is the best motherf***er in the world, he continued. Youre too rough, youre too rough, Iglesias replied in a playful manner. Youre a f***ing crazy one.
His serenade from the soundboard area is always a thrill for fans and a nightmare for security. Especially since Iglesias encouraged everyone who wants to, come over here. Security, let them do whatever they want. At first those guards refused to budge, but Iglesias made sure he got his way. Let them pass, relax!
As usual, Iglesias invited a female up to sing Hero to her, and despite the fact that she was married with her husband in attendance, she wasnt shy about admitting she has a hall pass for him. Iglesias, delighted to make this an experience she would never forget, kissed and danced with the smitten fan (who also copped a feel of his behind while telling him he was the best and that she loved him). He then invited her husband up to tell him how cool he had been for being OK with everything.
He also sent shout-out! s to his ! Latino fan base. Cunta gente latina est all afuera? (How many Latin people are out there?) he asked, before dedicating No Me Digas Que No to the Spanish speakers in attendance.
Iglesias set had the works: confetti streaming down, giant white beach balls (with EI on them) bouncing around, up-close encounters with the front rows while supporting himself on the rail by the photo pit, a spotlight on his drumming ability, and another cameo from Pitbull for a couple songs, including I Like It.
Reggaeton duo Wisin y Yandel dropped off the tour, so Mexican singer and former Kumbia King Frankie J replaced them as opener, the vocalist providing roughly 20 minutes of old-school romantic R&B, from Dont Wanna Try to Baby Bashs Suga Suga, on which he was featured. He also sang Lil Waynes How to Love in Spanish (as Cmo Amar), because its a little sexier, while also displaying talent on the keyboard.
When the Lord blesses you this way, you cant say no, right? he told the crowd about being invited to join Lopez and Iglesias. Thank you so much for the love youve given me for my whole entire career Its truly a blessing to be back in the limelight.
Enrique Iglesias & Jennifer Lopez play again Aug. 16-17 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, $29.50-$250. Reminder: Tonights replay at Honda Center has been canceled. Exchange tickets for one of the L.A. dates or obtain a refund at point of purchase.
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