Soldier Field transforms into Latin R&B/reggaeton trailblazer Karol G’s gargantuan “Tropitour”

Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The amount of history Colombian singer/songwriter Karol G made in the last decade alone is simply staggering, whether it was having “Mañana Será Bonito” be the first Spanish-language project by a woman to debut at the top of the Billboard 200, to her latest long-player, “TROPICOQUETA,” marking the fourth consecutive leader of Top Latin Albums, all while further shattering streaming records cumulatively nearing 120 billion.

Besides becoming the first Latina artist to ever headline Lollapalooza and Coachella, the subsequent “Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour” is now doing the same in stadiums across Europe, in addition to another round of America after moving more than 2.3 million tickets and grossing over $300 million the last time through.

Chicago’s Soldier Field served as the global starting point for this freshly squeezed batch of shows, and given the fact it sold out within the snap of a finger, an encore was added on Saturday, July 25.

Following a two-and-a-half-hour thrill ride throughout the earlier engagement, Karol G’s colossal creation is unquestionably shaping up to be the hottest show of the summer, thanks in part to a complete musical mastery of Latin R&B meets reggaeton flavors, a distinctively divine voice and a vivacious, empowering personality.

Surrounded by at least two-dozen dancers and nearly as many sizzling musicians, including a completely female mariachi band, the 35-year-old megastar started on the middle level of a massive, cave-like set to the throbbing beats of “LATINA FOREVA,” “Un gatito me llamó” and “OKI DOKI.”

By “Tá OK,” the fireworks were flowing like it was the fourth of July, sparking a visual spectacular such as Karol G singing inside a supersized parrot prop, sensually serenading atop a set of bongos similar to the current album cover, flawlessly working an upper and lower level runaway during “Dile Luna,” “Bandida entrenada” and “OJOS FERRARI,” plus spearheading the steamiest water-splashing scenes since “Flashdance.”

In fact, the entire evening was a non-stop celebration spanning multiple stripes of sexuality, the endless beauty of nature, and of course, loads of pride and flag-waving relating to various aspects of Latin American culture.

Not since Shakira has any artist made such an international impact, and though Karol G certainly counts the “Hips Don’t Lie” hitmaker as an influence and a trusty “TQG” collaborator, she’s long been a “BICHOTA” (or “boss” girl) of the tallest order, as a salsa version so vibrantly suggested.

The climaxes continued in the form of “Coleccionando heridas,” “Si antes te hubiera conocido” and “Viajando Por El Mundo,” once again totally transcending genre and language to spread a universally joyful noise like absolutely no other who came before or will possibly try to follow.

For additional information on Karol G, visit ShopKarolG.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation concerts, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming shows at Soldier Field include Karol G (Jul. 25); Foo Fighters (Aug. 8); Usher Raymond and Chris Brown (Aug. 21-22); BTS (Aug. 27-28) and Ye (Sept. 3-4). For additional details, visit SoldierField.com.

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Soldier Field transforms into Latin R&B/reggaeton trailblazer Karol G’s gargantuan “Tropitour”

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