Enrique Iglesias and Beverley Knight, Genting Arena, Birmingham - review and pictures
Temperatures may have plummeted outside, but things certainly heated up when Enrique Iglesias brought the sound of Spain to Birmingham in what was his final UK show of the tour last night.
Giving fans an extra special treat, Wolverhampton soul star Beverley Knight provided the supporting entertainment - and made it clear she was delighted to be performing in the Midlands.
“What’s up Birmingham?” she beamed.
“Hometown - more or less. You know what I mean.
“I’m so glad to be back in the wonderful West Midlands.”
Dressed in a gold and black long-sleeved playsuit and gold boots, the 45-year-old singer looked tremendous as she jumped and danced around the stage; her strong, powerful vocals impressing on numbers including Made It Back, Come As You Are and 2002 hit Shoulda Woulda Coulda.
Though the turnout for Beverley was great, by the time the interval was over almost every seat in the Genting Arena was filled with fans eager to see Enrique - and, as the lights went out and purple lasers shot over the audience signalling the start of the show, the crowd went wild.
Strolling out onto the stage dressed all in black and donning a baseball cap, Enrique kicked off the show with 2018 club number Move To Miami as a huge screen behind the stage showed bright yellow and green moving graphics.
I’m A Freak and I Like How It Feels came next, as flames shot from the back of the stage - the warmth from which could be felt by those way back in the crowd - before the Madrid-born star was joined by a female backing singer on Heartbeat.
Enrique’s band - complete with three backing singers - was positioned atop a three-tier stage, as the star himself moved from left to right.
He held hands with members of the crowd below and strolled down a catwalk-like platform which went midway through the audience, as songs such as Bailamos, Duele El Corazon and Do You Know had fans dancing and clapping their hands in the air.
The 43-year-old star also performed a selection of songs on a square stage towards the back of the crowd, where he brought up a member of the audience to join him later in the show, who was treated to shots of liquor and a serenade.
“This is my last show in the UK,” announced Enrique.
“Thank you so much for being here tonight, I’m extremely grateful.”
More numbers including Tired Of Being Sorry and Escape followed, before the star left the stage returning in a white T-shirt for the encore which featured Súbeme la Radio and Enrique’s biggest hit of all - Hero.
Firework sparks showered the stage and huge white balloons fell on the crowd before the show was drawn to a close with 2010 hit I Like It.
A great, varied set filled with songs new and old - a true sign that despite being in the business for more than 20 years, the King Of Latin Pop isn’t going anywhere any time soon.
