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Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias bring fun and fizz to Philips

Enrique Iglesias shows off his sensitive side. Photo credit: Robb D. Cohen/ www.RobbsPhotos.com

Enrique Iglesias shows off his sensitive side. Photo credit: Robb D. Cohen/ www.RobbsPhotos.com

They could have just called it The Beautiful People Tour.

Or for a moment, it could have been the “American Idol” Reunion Tour, since Dunwoody native Ryan Seacrest bopped out onstage at the start of the evening to announce a new radio station in the market (my colleague Rodney Ho has the scoop here).

But if you came to Philips Arena Wednesday night as a fan of just one of the co-headliners – Jennifer Lopez or Enrique Iglesias – there’s a good chance you left as a convert of both.

For a collective three hours – with a 20-minute set change between acts – Iglesias and Lopez demonstrated that while neither is more than an adequate singer, they both possess scads of other proficiencies to make up for the deficits.

Iglesias was up first and immediately began his trademark move of pogoing around the stage for the opening “Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You),” which detoured briefly into the profane version of the song.

In his jeans, tight black T-shirt and omnipresent baseball cap, Iglesias looked like a handsome frat boy, and emitted a down-to-earth vibe throughout his show.

Backed by a seven-piece band and one backup singer, Iglesias attacked his lightweight pop songs with a sense of joy. His music has always had one foot in the clubs and the other in INXS circa 1982, and his affection for synth pop was boldly unfurled during “I Like How it Feels” and “Be with You,” which even nodded to Duran Duran’s “Ordinary World” during the song’s intro.

Enrique makes his move on a fan during "Hero." Photo credit: Robb D. Cohen/ www.RobbsPhotos.com

Enrique makes his move on a fan during "Hero." Photo credit: Robb D. Cohen/ www.RobbsPhotos.com

Iglesias’ roots were present, too, in the flamenco guitar that ushered in the creamy, romantic ballad “Bailamos,” and during “No Me Digas Que No.”

Throughout the 75-minute set, Iglesias frequently raced around the stage – which was offset by a series of sleek, curved video screens and a ramp – but also delved into the crowd a few times…and somehow emerged fully clothed.

Though his voice is a bit thin and reedy, his charisma and likeability is limitless, and he wisely put his low-key charm on display twice – first by inviting a trio of guys onstage to chug rum and eventually sing a sweet (though long) version of “Stand By Me” and during the encore, performed at the back of the arena, when he sent thousands of hearts swooning with “Hero,” which he crooned to an overwhelmed female fan on whom he planted several kisses.

But obviously this set had to end on a feverish note, which it did.

“I Like It” featured green lasers slicing through the crowd and dozens of giant white balloons emblazoned with his initials falling from the rafters; Iglesias then reprised “Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You)” in its parental-guidance-suggested form, and received an assist from surprise guest Ludacris, who popped up onstage in a natty suit to deliver a fiery rap.

It was a suitable ending to keep the crowd – which mostly filled the arena, with some pockets of empty seats in the upper level – pumped for Lopez’s spectacle, which began at about 10:15 p.m. with a cadre of top-hatted men with canes dancing in a Busby Berkeley-inspired opening.

“Hello, lovers,” Lopez purred a few minutes later, arriving from a platform beneath the stage.

Aerobicize with J. Lo! Photo credit: Robb D. Cohen/ www.RobbsPhotos.com

Aerobicize with J. Lo! Photo credit: Robb D. Cohen/ www.RobbsPhotos.com

Anyone who has seen any Lopez performance knows she’s an incredible dancer, and she immediately pushed those skills to the forefront with a nifty cane routine performed in her sequined, form-enhancing body suit (is there a magic portal that could make us all look like Lopez? Please?).

Oh, she was also singing “Get Right,” but between the awesome dance moves, wind machines and puffs of dry ice and fire, who was paying attention? Lopez’s two backup singers seemed to take on the heavy lifting during the uptempo songs, but really, is anyone going to a J. Lo show for a display of vocal prowess?

That said, she can sing, best evidenced during her mid-set tribute to Selena, whom she portrayed in the 1997 film named for the Tejano singer. With a heartfelt introduction (prefaced by noting that Mary J. Blige, who performed at Chastain Tuesday night, was in the house), Lopez sang “No Me Queda Mas” beautifully, her red cape billowing behind her for extra effect.

But, prior to that, she mostly impressed with her exceedingly graceful dance moves, her enviable curves making all of her movements super-hot.

Lopez’s six-piece band turned out crisp, funkified versions of “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” and the fizzy club banger “Waiting for Tonight,” one of her first hits from 1999, as she and a couple of female dancers cavorted around, but not on, a stripper pole-like apparatus.

Unlike Iglesias’ bachelor pad-type set, Lopez’s was a Cher-worthy production, with a boxing ring set up for “Goin’ In,” male dancers who happily shed their shirts for “Papi,” and her own handful of costume and set changes, such as the one that returned Jenny to the block.

Try this move, kids. Photo credit: Robb D. Cohen/ www.RobbsPhotos.com

Try this move, kids. Photo credit: Robb D. Cohen/ www.RobbsPhotos.com

Wearing a sparkly halter top and matching pants that spotlighted her abs, Lopez donned a New York Yankees baseball cap and joked that wearing it in certain cities, “like Boston,” gets her in trouble.

But there is no removing the Bronx from the girl, who paid tribute with a set featuring a schoolyard fence and lounge chairs to represent her street upbringing, and rolled through portions of “I’m Real,” “All I Have” and “Ain’t It Funny,” before the obvious “Jenny from the Block.”

No doubt Lopez likes to have fun onstage, and she indulged her Latino fans with a fierce version of “Let’s Get Loud,” the Gloria Estefan castoff she’s made her own. In a sequined shirt and fedora, Lopez began the song banging on a conga, and throughout the salsa-infused sizzler, showcased her ballroom dancing skills.

While some of her hits, such as “On the Floor,” are little more than a slamming beat and repetitive lyrics, when done well they serve their purpose as mindless entertainment imploring listeners to “put your drinks up.”

Some nights, that’s good enough.

(For more photos from last night’s show, check out our gallery.)

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By Melissa Ruggieri, Atlanta Music Scene

66 comments Add your comment

rude!

August 31st, 2012
12:53 pm

Why is it that JLo fans get all upset and rude? Maybe because they can’t accept the fact that their idol can neither sing, nor act.
And to put an end in the discussion which isn’t going anywhere, especially when insults are being used:
JLo is not running a charity. She might be lacking talent but she and her shrewd manager know what is good for her. Teaming up with a talented and popular singer helped her tour.

I agree about Marc; he loved her back then and did her a huge favor including her in his tour. He would not do it today, no way! His tours are legendary and he only works with really talented singers.

Carmen

August 31st, 2012
1:40 pm

@ Elena, Were you listening and watching her every move, or where you not there? She was singing live 95% of the time, about 5% lip synching, if that!! I think you are criticizing without having seen her perform live. She has come a long way, I would say she has learned a lot from Marc Anthony and Idol. No one said she was the world’s greatest singer!

@ Marie she tries to stay private, but when she sees that it does not work because her WOW factor is so big, she gives in. There is only so much she can hide, with the paparrazi watching her every step. Eventually she just lets the fans have it, and makes videos like Dance Again. Don’t you remember that even when she was with Marc the paparazi would not leave them alone? Also, I met Smart at her concert, unlike you I will not judge him, but he seemed like a very decent and loving man. Marie if you don’t like her, why do you come on here? We know she does not have a Celine Dion voice, but regardless she has that WOW factor which brings you here!

@oh well and @Still….She has not toured more often, thanks to all the haters (and there are a lot following her, bandwagoners). I am sure she was insecure before but she has gotten stronger, and is not scarred of falling and getting back up. I am sure she could sell out concerts by herself, now!

@Sandra if you got these quotes from ticketmaster you forgot to metinon that more than 85% of the quotes are positive for JLO. Also JLo warned us all when she announced the tour that we had to prepare to see a lot of dancing, despite this she sang.

@Carmen

August 31st, 2012
2:17 pm

Even her own fans admit that she lipsyncs most of the time.

She has limited talents and her way of staying relevant is to be in the limelight all the time. Her persona is bigger than her talent and she is the one to seek the publicity. But hopefully without the weekly exposure she had with AI, she will fade again.
Marc actually gave her some peace and stability and tried to teach her how to live her life more privately. Obviously she didn’t learn much from him, she is now again overexposed and her personal life is splashed all over the tabloids.

She doesn’t tour because she can’t sing live. When she toured with Marc in 2007, her voice kept cracking, it was sad. She is a show girl but not a singer.

Carmen

August 31st, 2012
4:26 pm

I DIDN’T say she lipsyncs most of the time. I SAID 95% of the time during Dance Again concert!

That is why I say she learned from Marc. He believed in her and encouraged her to sing live, and that is what she does now! If he gave her peace then he would not have cheated on her (truth came out on Q’Viva). But this is their problem not mine.

In 2007, she was not ready, now she is and she will tour and succeed in the future.

Not again!

August 31st, 2012
5:10 pm

Marc didn’t cheat on her! They both denied it and let’s not repeat the stupid tabloid lies. I did watch Q’Viva (great show, by the way) and saw no “truth coming out”. One could see that they are still friends. Good for them!
I agree that Marc helped her with her voice when he produced her Spanish album but her vocal abilities are very limited.

and again

August 31st, 2012
6:24 pm

Listen up JLO fans, These BIG OLD OLD FAT ENRIQUE FANS and i mean big old fat! They even have a COUGAR group hahahahaha and jlo is older then him, just ignore them. Theyre sickly obsessed with him and really so because he is a good looking guy but thats it. we know the truth and the truth says it all! HE CANT SING FOR SH-T! Same old sh-t all the time! and hes getting all these young guys to do collaborations with him so he can stay alive. Please hes a done deal! Let them rant on about this dirty filthy looking thing! Jlo is a class act! ITS HER TOUR HE WAS INVITED!!!!!!! GET IT CHUBBIES???

Elena

August 31st, 2012
9:07 pm

I did check out some of Enrique’s YT videos for the first time to see what caused all these nasty comments about him. The clips were from both Euphoria and this tour and I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised. He is hot! His voice is not tops but he is pretty good. I loved his style and interaction with the fans who obviously adore him. And the Hero girl routine is cute!

@ELENA

August 31st, 2012
9:47 pm

you sure youre not a true enriquette? stop your bullsh-t!

@anonymous

September 1st, 2012
10:59 am

Nope! No enriquette but I liked what I saw in the clips. He is cute and charismatic, no wonder there were thousands of screaming women at his concerts, lol!

Bond

September 1st, 2012
11:16 am

Lol it’s funny all these threads. Why so much hate toward both artists ? After all the careers of both last a lot longer than others artists who also have beautiful face. Then, they must have certain talents to keep this long. Sure, they doesn’t have the best voice in the history of music but they must have something special other than beautiful face.

@ANONYMOUS

September 1st, 2012
11:33 am

yes sure youre not an enriquette, just one of the big old sick fat ones that has no life but to sit 24/7 drooling over enrique most of the woman that are there are fat and old! go to a jon bovi concert and then tell me what you see. go eat your ice cream!

confused

September 1st, 2012
11:36 am

is this enrique guy the son of the superb JULIO IGLESIAS legend? Im from Australia, so all i know is Julio Iglesias and i love him.

leondra

September 1st, 2012
11:42 am

I went to the show last night. It was amazing! Iwill not put enrique down like most of you are but i must say JLO rocked that place to ne end! Everyone was up dancing and going crazy. She is awesome and for her age just no words can express what she can do. I have to say the crowd was not as into enrique as JLO. Enrique was even throwing his arms up in the air to have the people get moving. He looked disappointed. It was a great show, but JLO made the most of it! sorry enrique, i do like your music.

@ANONYMOUS

September 1st, 2012
8:57 pm

You are a very rude person who has no place in a forum. Please,ake your love for the talentless JLo someplace else.

Catherine

September 1st, 2012
9:08 pm

A friend of mine went to the concert in Atlanta and told me that she didn’t like JLO’s part – her words were “it felt like a long Papi commercial”.

guest

September 2nd, 2012
10:44 am

Thank god enrique is gone from the great jlos tour now! My friends went and said jlo was just awesome and enrique was slow and boooooooooring. He does the same thing over and over again and everyone is a little tired and bored of it! Plus his voice sounded rough and tired. He looks terribly skiiny and if i were to guess he does drugs, i hope he doesnt because i dont wish that on anyone but he really does not look healthy or happy to say the least! JLO rocked the show i was told and she looks as happy as you can be in her life now! Good for you jlo! I know you are a good person in every way! god bless you on the rest of your tour and life! Enrique i think you need help!