Mary J Blige and Enrique Iglesias at The Dome

Again as I continue to report on concerts long after they happen ;-b I thought I’d share a few thoughts on Mary J Blige’s concert in Jozi on 18 October and the Enrique Iglesias (pictured left) concert on 21 October 2007. The first, Mary J Blige, was a disappointment. Blige’s performance was left wanting. She seemed tired and uninspired and I felt the audience could read into this. There were vast areas of the Dome left empty and I saw quite a large number of people filing out early. On the other hand, Enrique Iglesias came to SA on his Insomniac Tour to seriously impress. Now I’m not a fan of Enrique (and I did not pay, nor would I pay, for a ticket to see his show), but I have to admit that it is one of the best performances I’ve seen of late. His stage is superb with a fantastic light show, and he himself is quite energetic, often running up an approximately 30 metre ramp into the crowd and connecting with his audience. He has a good voice and is an excellent entertainer. I was also surprised at how much of a rock show his live act is. Most of his band sport mohicans, are seriously talented musos and rock out. Though the concert started a little late, with no opening act, it seems many fawning teenage girls, and many of their mothers too, definitely got their money’s worth.

Fall Out Boy in Jozi

Though Fall Out Boy’s concert in Johannesburg did happen a long time ago, 20 July, I thought it necessary to mention that since watching them live I have seriously started enjoying their music, particularly their Infinity on High album. It’s just interesting to note the effect of live music and from what I understand, in this current era of uncertainty in the music industry, what with the state of music piracy, though music sales are down, concert attendances are up. People are buying less music, but attending more shows. Thus the importance of putting on a good live show. Fall Out Boy were excellent in Jozi, I was impressed and converted. I’m looking forward to hearing new offerings from the band and would attend another of their concerts any day.