I love you, Bulgaria. See you soon. With these five words, spoken in Bulgarian and English, the fifth, largest and most extensive concert by Enrique Iglesias in our country ended, BTA reported.
Over 30,000 people sang in chorus with their favorite.
For exactly ninety minutes, at the national stadium “Vasil Levski, 19 songs were presented, a BTA reporter saw. After a short intro, the show began in Spanish – with Súbeme la radio from 2017, followed by Freak (2014), Chasing The Sun (2021), Be with You (1996), Heartbeat (2010), Duele el corazón (2016), known as a duet with Puerto Rican rapper Wisin, as well as the first big hit from 1998 – Bailamos.
On Cuando Me Enamoro (2010), Iglesias moved to the middle of the stadium, among the people. Before continuing with Ring My Bells (2007), he again addressed the audience in Bulgarian with “Nazdrave“, pouring a small shot from a bottle for himself and the vocalist, whom he introduced as his girlfriend, but only on stage. The two sang Takin' Back My Love (2008), which was originally a duet with Ciara. Iglesias joked that the stadium was 60 percent female and 40 percent male.
The Latin party under the stars continued with Me pase (2021). After Chasing The Sun, this was the second newer song on the entire setlist for September 20. The single features Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Farruco, and is featured on the Spanish star's penultimate album.
After returning to the main stage, the concert continued with I Like How It Feels (2014), Tired Of Being Sorry (2007), Escape from the album of the same name (2001), which ends with motifs from Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics, and Tonight I’m Lovin’ You (2005).
Among the emotional and at the same time funny moments was the admission that he has a few favorite things – loves to write songs and sing them, he likes being here, among his fans, he loves his family and... drinking on Saturday nights. After these words, Iglesias took a sip from a bottle and asked: “Sofia, is anyone drinking here? No, right? And who is 18 or older tonight? And who is under 18? Okay, okay, okay. Don't start drinking until you're 85“.
On Hero, one of his biggest hits, recorded at the beginning of the new century, Enrique Iglesias moved to the middle of the arena again. He continued with El Perdón, known as a duet with Nicky Jam, the superhit Bailando and finally – a duet with Pitbull (but without Pitbull) – I like it, garnished with hundreds of white balloons that read EI (the artist's initials) and a powerful flare.
ENRIQUE AND BULGARIA
For the first time, Enrique Iglesias sang in Bulgaria at a concert on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of “M-tel“ – on September 29, 2010. The event was in a meadow in a park, with free access. Even then, he “flirted“ with the audience, using words in Bulgarian.
On December 14, 2015, he returned to our country for a solo concert, part of his world tour Sex And Love Tour, in the “Arena Armeec“ hall. "Sorry I'm late," Enrique Iglesias says in pure Bulgarian, after singing a few songs in the packed hall. The concert started two hours after the announced start (8:00 PM). "The long wait was the only downside of the evening, in which the star put on a textbook show, creating a great connection with the audience," eyewitnesses recall. First, he brings a father and son on stage, making them sing. To encourage him, he gives the child water and alcohol to the parent, and before pouring him a second drink, he asks who will drive him home. Then he asks for the phone number of a girl from the audience, pretending to be talking to her boyfriend: "She'll be home later," explains Enrique. For the first time at the "Arena Armeec" there is an alternative stage.
Due to the huge interest in the event, Enrique Iglesias is performing his hits in Bulgaria again – on May 14, 2016, in the same hall. This time he appears “barely“ 50 minutes late. Surely, the date will remain unforgettable for Nelly and Ivan from Plovdiv. For their sake, Iglesias, as he himself said, takes on the role of a pastor and helps the two get engaged in front of the eyes and applause of 15,000 people. Before that, through a poster, Ivan asks Enrique to help him propose to his girlfriend on stage. While Ivan explains himself to Nelly, the star films them with a tablet. The peculiar “wedding” ends with a performance of Stand By Me (from the repertoire of Ben King). This romantic 15-minute interruption of the show is not the only surprise of the evening. Enrique Iglesias makes an unexpected confession: “Last time I wasn't in particularly good shape, and you, Bulgaria, deserve the best!".
Two and a half years later, on November 6, 2018, again at the “Arena Armeec“, he performed all his hits. The 90-minute concert is part of the All The Hits Live tour. To be closer to a larger audience, Enrique again sang on two stages, danced with a fan, accepted gifts and flowers, and never took the smile off his face for a moment.