Artist: Marc Anthony
Venue: AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami
Date: Aug. 24
Marc Anthony kicked off the U.S. leg of his world tour with two sold-out shows at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, playing a mostly salsa set that underscored the theme and sentiment of his strong-selling new album, 3.0. Backed by a sizzling, 14-piece salsa band, Anthony let his voice do the talking and the singing, keeping the crowd on its feet as he crooned and improvised, beginning with the vintage “De Repente” and ending with current mega-hit “Vivir Mi Vida.” Songs like the classic “Mi Gente” and his first smash — “Hasta Que Te Conoci,” with its lengthy piano/vocal introduction — highlighted emotional range and depth. It was a riveting, relentless tour de force that cemented Anthony’s stature as one of the pre-eminent performers of his generation. Anthony likes to prowl the stage, arms flung wide, head thrown back. It’s a grand gesture for so slight a man, and yet, it envelops entire arenas.