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Evening Standard rating
Juanes is Colombia's pop prince
Mark Espiner, Evening Standard 3 Jun 2008
It is hard to imagine a more enthusiastic audience response than the one given by London’s Latin American community to Juanes’s supercharged set.
The vocal power of this hyperappreciative sold-out crowd at the Apollo almost matched the decibel-heavy PA — and the frenzy they worked themselves up into was a rare sight. One woman got so carried away that she started beating out the rhythms of his rock songs with her pounding fists first on herself and then on the chests of those standing nearby — this reviewer included.
Such a bacchic response was, of course, down to the Dionysian power of Colombia’s guitar hero Juanes. This former heavy-metal musician who refuses to sing in English, preferring to stick to his native Spanish and picking up numerous Latin Grammys and platinum discs along the way, knows how to move a crowd — and that is primarily by having a band and sound that is so tight it could strangle you and a tangible rapport with his followers.
His music is pop rock; sometimes anthemic, sometimes sentimental, sometimes bordering on the pomp with hints of Prince or on the heavy side with screaming guitars — and then, occasionally, with a surprising ska twist that has a hint of Manu Chao. Such was his hit La Camisa Negra, the song that was the highlight of the show.
As someone who has suffered from the violence and interminable conflicts in Colombia, Juanes made some pleas for peace in song and inter-song chat. But it was his stage presence — strident in a tight black shirt, jeans, tattoos and a rather incongruous David Brent-style beard — that spoke his less worthy message of let the good times roll. It was loud, proud and, if you don’t speak Spanish, incomprehensible — he made no concessions to the solely English-speaking. But regardless — or perhaps because of that — it rocked.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (6)
It was great, absolutely all of it the music, the performance and the spirit of the people. I had a friend with me who had never heard him before and she was a new fan by the time the concert was over.
Waiting for the next album and concert.
- Kia Ehsani, London, UK, 10/06/2008 22:24
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I totally agree with your reviewer - a fantastic concert. Juanes was fantastic and the whole place rocked! Come back soon Juanes - Hasta pronto.
- Peggy, Middlesex, England, 03/06/2008 20:05
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I was there....Amazing! Yes it was all in Spanish and I understood some but what the hell, the atmosphere was like no other I had experienced at any other concert I had attended...Go Juanes!
- John Poyser, Nottingham England, 03/06/2008 15:44
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Juanes definitely touched all girls heart and make the Apollo jump once again, he is the King of Pop! He rocks and sang love and Peace all the way through!... By the way he was not wearing jeans but very formal shirt and black trousers! he is amazing!
- Alexandra Richardson, Southampton, Hampshire, 03/06/2008 15:07
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Juanes has star quality, he writes his songs, pleads for peace in the nicest possible way, and manages to compose music for a wide range of audience. He has joined forces for peace with Bono without expecting financial rewards. Mega
- Marthina, Nottingham, Notts, 03/06/2008 12:15
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Last nights Juanes concert was one of the best Ih ave ever been to! Coming from a person who had been to see Bruce Springsteen on Friday night, this guy is on equal terms as the Boss. Great vocals, guitar solo`s with a huge amount of charisma & passion. He totally Rocked!!
- Kieran Holland, London, 03/06/2008 10:53
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