Evaluate & setlist: Ricky Martin, Pitbull and Enrique Iglesias are nonetheless ‘Livin’ la Vida Loca’

Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull, and Ricky Martin on “The Trilogy Tour,” Oct. 21, TD Backyard, Boston

World powerhouses Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, and Pitbull have joined forces on “The Trilogy Tour,” a cut up headline run that channels a number of generations of followers. Stopping Saturday evening at Boston’s TD Backyard, the three luminaries of Latin pop launched into an evening of celebration sparked by their particular person charisma and plethora of chart-topping hits.

Within the realm of trilogies, this one proved fruitful in ambiance and execution, avoiding any repetition within the four-hour extravaganza. The three musicians got here outfitted with very good bands, animated dancers, and a manufacturing worth that rivaled the award present theatrics you usually discover with these stars.

Their camaraderie dates again a long time. Iglesias toured with Pitbull in 2017 and Martin in 2021. Uniting collectively now as an indelible power of Latin pleasure, the trio exuded an unwavering sense of energy and gratitude to share the stage. Sadly, although, the trio didn’t seem collectively.

Ricky Martin kicked off the evening with a profuse power that radiated all through the Backyard. As decided as ever, he carried out an infinite string of hits, respiration new life into the span of his ’90s classics and covers like “Pégate” and “She Bangs.” Outfitted with a staff of mesmerizing Latin dancers who twirled round Martin in unison, followers might absolutely immerse themselves within the atmospheric indulgence of Latin pleasure and celebration.

Proving a improbable showman, now effectively into his 50s, Martin’s efficiency set ablaze the sector and raised the bar for the performances to come back. Looking back, it’s puzzling as to why the famend artist initiated the present, quite than closing the evening out along with his celebratory act.

Following a quick set change — punctuated with banal pop hits to entertain the gang and maybe distract from the actual fact the present was operating half-hour delayed — reggaeton maverick Pitbull took the stage for a wide-ranging set of his infinite hits, after all beginning along with his instantaneous temper booster, “Don’t Cease the Occasion.”

Mr. Worldwide embraced the viewers along with his signature grin and sun shades (which didn’t depart his face till the final track), and dove into a mixture of his beloved collaborations, and apparently, inspirational speeches. Proving as a lot a thought chief as a hip-hop artist, Pitbull took time all through his set to wax philosophical on his musings about life.

Whereas the present was ripe with power and expert musicianship, it didn’t come with out caveats. Choosing shortened variations of his materials, Pitbull’s tactic appeared to be to channel an electrical celebration ambiance in jam-packed bursts, earlier than disappearing from stage. The house was stuffed with a DJ set that churned out minute-long earworms, illuminating the club-like ambiance the place Pitbull tracks resonate finest.

Unfazed by the actual fact the artist so incessantly got here and went, the whole lot of the Backyard reworked right into a dance celebration in seats and aisles, and isn’t that the purpose of all of it? In case you had been trying to overlook the troubles of the world and immerse absolutely into the music, Pitbull supplied the proper escape from actuality.

“It feels good to be in Boston right here tonight. What I like about Boston is that everybody is thought for being … laborious staff, scrapers, grinders, fighters, hustlers,” Pitbull effused all through his set. Highlighting the struggles and triumphs of his personal life, he usually performed the function of motivational speaker, earlier than tying his phrases into his track lyrics, after which remodeling once more into the function of hype man.

“I’ve received robust ties to Boston, particularly in Lawrence,” he later revealed. “They’ve proven me a lot of affection in Lawrence. Particularly this one man who put quite a lot of hit information collectively for us, his identify is DJ Buddha. So one time for DJ Buddha, let’s signify Boston and Lawrence,” he mentioned to a screaming crowd, earlier than displaying a quick presentation on the 12 faculties Pitbull has constructed throughout the nation.

Owing to his collaboration-heavy catalogue, Pitbull usually carried out solely the choruses of his songs — whereas at occasions it felt extra like karaoke, the viewers rejoiced in all that Mr. 305 needed to provide. Adamantly declaring the evening was going to be a celebration, his power and charisma made up for what the set’s odd construction lacked.  

The group constituted practically 20,000 followers of various ages and ethnicities, proving that the ability of music transcends all. Whether or not you had been fluent in English or Spanish (or each), your native language didn’t restrict the expertise of the present. Pitbull proudly declared, “All of us communicate music for the evening.”

Enrique Iglesias closed out the evening with a career-spanning brigade of hit singles that had been rendered to permit for his stage antics and the inflow of screaming followers. With sexualized variations of songs “Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You)” and “Loco / Me pasé,” it was evident the artist was going to play up his stage persona, even on the sake of sacrificing the standard of his music. Most of the time, he relied on the backing monitor of his personal vocals, choosing power spent on leaping and hyping up the gang, versus his personal vocal efficiency.

With excessive manufacturing values that included a B stage, particular results, dancers, confetti, and enormous seashore balls branded with “ei” that had been launched from the ceiling, the excessive power created from these theatrics carried the night. Whereas Iglesias has the sheer star energy and magnetism, his band carried him musically. Percussionist Gilmar Gomes shared rapping duties amongst a wide range of devices and impressed all through the evening, highlighting the expertise of Iglesias’ band.

Again in 2010, Iglesias and Pitbull teamed up for the hit single “I Like It,” which proved to be a fan favourite. The track invigorated the gang with its pop-centric gildings, although surprisingly Pitbull didn’t return to stage to carry out the monitor, a lot to followers’ disappointment. Mega hit single “Hero” additionally didn’t make an look on the set checklist because of time constraints, leaving followers saddened by the omission. Disappointments had been quickly forgotten when the magnitude of the present’s power returned for the electrical finale, “Bailando.”

“The Trilogy Tour” introduced forth a feverish power and emphasised the ability of Latin music and inclusivity. Every artist focused a unique demographic and created an inclusive and immersive setting. Even when Ricky Martin ought to have closed the present along with his extravagant, well-oiled set, the evening nonetheless sizzled with ferocious ardour and zest for all times — one thing that’s wanted now greater than ever.

The Trilogy Tour setlists, TD Backyard, Boston, Oct. 21, 2023:

Ricky Martin:

• Pégate
• María
• Adrenalina
• Shake Your Bon-Bon
• Lola, Lola
• She Bangs
• Tu recuerdo
• Vuelve
• Por arriba, por abajo
• Vente pa’ ca
• Livin’ la Vida Loca
• The Cup of Life

Pitbull:

• Don’t Cease the Occasion
• Hey Child (Drop It to the Flooring)
• Lodge Room Service
• Worldwide Love
• I Really feel Good
• Gasolina
• On the Flooring
• DJ Obtained Us Fallin’ in Love
• Really feel This Second
• JUMPIN
• Timber
• Fireball
• Time of Our Lives
• 14. Give Me All the things

Enrique Iglesias:

• Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You)
• Heartbeat
• Duele el corazón
• Bailamos
• Cuando me enamoro
• Loco / Me pasé
• Súbeme la radio
• Escape
• I Like It
• El perdón
• Bailando