Colombian pop sensation Shakira has arrived in Madrid to commence her highly anticipated 12-concert residency, ‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran’, which is set to attract over 600,000 attendees. The extensive series of performances, described as an ‘historic residency’ by El País, began on Friday, 18th September, and will run across four consecutive weekends until 11th October.
Upon her arrival at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport, the 49-year-old artist from Barranquilla expressed her deep appreciation for her Spanish fanbase. She stated, "That love and support that I never lacked from my Spanish fans, from my audience, from the people of Spain: it’s what makes me come back. With the hope of offering them the best of me, and not just the best of me, but also the best of our Latin culture." She added, "I truly feel that we are one Latin nation. And what used to be the Atlantic, an ocean that separated us, today is a bond that unites us."
The ‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran’ Experience
The concerts are being held at a specially constructed ‘Shakira stadium’ in Madrid’s Villaverde neighbourhood. Beyond the musical performances, the venue will host a vibrant cultural festival known as Macondo Park, named after the mythical city in Gabriel García Márquez’s novel, ‘Cien años de soledad’. This carnival-like event is expected to draw at least 50,000 people daily, operating for 12 hours from midday until midnight.
Macondo Park aims to celebrate Hispanic culture through music, literature, gastronomy, art, and cinema, featuring eight pavilions. A dedicated children’s zone has also been incorporated, with input from Shakira’s sons, Milan and Sasha. Each concert night will culminate in a recreation of the Barranquilla carnival, an integral part of Shakira’s childhood and cultural heritage.
The cultural celebration extends to include performances from other artists such as Nathy Peluso and Amaia, alongside appearances from numerous writers including Rosa Montero and Julia Navarro. These authors will participate in talks organised by Penguin Random House, exploring themes prevalent in Shakira’s songs, such as identity, family, desire, and relationships, according to El País.
Shakira’s Emotional Return to Spain
Shakira’s return to Spain marks a significant moment, three years after she departed the country following a challenging period. Hola reported that the artist described leaving Spain in April 2023 with a "broken heart", a time when she "rebuilt herself as a woman, as a mother, and as an artist." Her previous residence in Spain saw her establish roots and become a mother with former footballer Gerard Piqué, a relationship that ended in 2022 and was followed by a legal conflict with the Spanish tax authorities.
Speaking of her comeback, Shakira expressed gratitude to her Spanish fans for their unwavering support: "In all that journey back and forth, my Spanish fans were always with me, supporting me, loving me, and wishing me the best!" She added that she returns "this time whole and with all the strength to offer them the best of me in these 12 concerts." Shakira’s last performance in Spain was on 6th July 2018, at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona, during her El Dorado World Tour. For more on Shakira’s broader career, including potential future performances, see World Cup 2026: Shakira, Tyla, J Balvin Set for Ceremonies.
Special Transport Measures for Attendees
To manage the expected daily attendance of up to 57,000 people, the Community of Madrid and the city’s council have implemented a special mobility plan, as detailed by Infobae. The concerts, held at the Iberdrola Music space, have staggered entry and exit times: the venue opens at 12:00, access to the stage and stands begins at 20:00, concerts run from 21:00 to 23:00, with gradual exit until 01:00.
Public transport reinforcements include extended services on Metro lines 3 and 12 between 00:00 and 01:30 on concert nights. A free shuttle bus service, operated by eight electric EMT buses, will run from 23:00 to 02:00, connecting Gran Vía de Villaverde to Plaza de Legazpi and Atocha. This shuttle will operate with frequencies between 7 and 15 minutes depending on the time. Commuter rail (Cercanías) stations Villaverde Alto and San Cristóbal Industrial are also nearby, though their usual operating hours end earlier, around 23:45.
The plan also includes provisions for people with reduced mobility, with dedicated platforms within the venue and additional accessible parking. Organised parking zones are available for specific ticket holders, and designated areas for taxis, private hire vehicles (VTCs), and ‘Kiss & Ride’ drop-offs have been established. Additionally, some traffic diversions are expected on roads surrounding the venue.
FAQ
- Q: When do Shakira’s Madrid concerts take place?
- A: The 12 concerts run from Friday, 18th September, until 11th October 2026, across four consecutive weekends, according to El País.
- Q: What is Macondo Park?
- A: Macondo Park is a cultural festival accompanying Shakira’s residency, operating daily from midday to midnight at the venue. It features Hispanic culture through music, literature, gastronomy, art, and cinema, including a children’s zone and a recreation of the Barranquilla carnival.
- Q: How many people are expected to attend the residency?
- A: Over 600,000 people are expected to attend the concerts, with up to 57,000 daily attendees for the wider event, as reported by El País and Infobae.
- Q: What public transport options are available for the concerts?
- A: Special provisions include reinforced Metro lines 3 and 12, a free shuttle bus service to Legazpi and Atocha, and nearby Cercanías (commuter rail) stations. Local and interurban bus lines also serve the area, with some diversions expected.
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