WORDS AND IMAGES BY MARV MILLS
On 16th March 2022, Columbian global sensation Maluma rolled into the O2 Arena in London Town
Ten years after his debut album was first released, Maluma has been cited as the first Latino superstar to sell out this iconic venue.
For forty-five minutes after the billed stage time, the excitement in the crowd was pumped to the max by an increasingly up-tempo and loud playlist of Maluma hits. The anticipation was almost unbearable and the adoring crowd was transfixed. Finally the house lights dimmed. After a final crescendo of strobe lighting effects and smoke from the dry-ice cannons, the unfeasibly good-looking and charismatic young singer took to the stage surrounded by his entourage of beautiful and energetic dancers.
The crowd went crazy. Already blissed-out and swaying to the onslaught of Latino club dance music, by the time the opening number actually started the entire venue was euphoric. With a 360 degree stage in the centre of the domed auditorium and surrounded by pyrotechnics and smoke, Maluma ran through song after song, swirling around to give every corner of the venue a fantastic view of the star and dancers. I simply cannot recall the last time I saw such energy from a stage performance, the dancing was incredible.
Maluma himself seemed genuinely touched by the outpouring of love from the youngish crowd packing the Arena to the rafters. The performance was slick, polished, dramatic and exuberant. The massed fans worshipped at the temple of Latino love and dance, and Maluma held them all in his pink be-gloved hands and loved each and every one of them back. Behold! It was a feast for the eyes and ears and I look forward to the next time the Maluma juggernauts rolls back into London Town!
SET LIST
INTRO
1/ HAWAI
2/ MADRID
3/ CORAZON
4/ 11PM
5/ HP
6/ COSITAS DE LA USA
7/ MAMA TETEMA
8/ DJADJA
9/ HOLA SENORITA
10/ QUE CHIMBA
11/ ADMV
12/ SOBRIO
13/ VENTE PA CA
14/ FL4
15/ SOBRIO
16/ CHANTAJE
17/ BABYS
18/ HAWAI 2
FOLLOW MALUMA ONLINE:
Passionate live music photographer operating under the name Marvellous Gig Photography. Available for gigs, festivals and other events plus promo shoots for socials, flyers and merch.
Based in Southeast United Kingdom.
