What an honor to have one of the top salsa music artists there is today return to Tampa for an exclusive concert 20 years later. It was December 15, 2002 that Marc Anthony and his band had last stepped foot at the Amalie Arena which back then was the Ice Palace Arena.
On Friday, November 4, 2022 the biggest and best salsa dance party was set for downtown Tampa. The excitement was felt all around, ladies and gents all decked out, traffic was a hustle bustle since early Friday morning. Marc Anthony (Marco Antonio Muñiz), el flaco (skinny) as he’s referred to by many, his band (da baddest band as they’ve been baptized by their fans), the hilarious comedian Joey Vega (he’s been Marc Anthony’s opening act for 20+ years), and special guest performer Luis Figueroa, the latest salsa sensation were going to light up Tampa. And indeed they did!
Joey Vega was all set promptly at 8 p.m. to entertain the early arrivals. It was 20 years he had performed at the very same venue with Marc. He took us back to the pandemic days and how ladies need to look to attend a Marc Anthony concert. By the time Luis Figueroa started singing, the venue was three fourths full. He took us back in time with oldies but goodies among them one of my all-time favorites “Hasta el sol de Hoy.”
Yes, Latinos show up late or arrive early to hang out around the venue mingling, drinking, eating, waiting for the most acclaimed artist to start. As the lights start to dim, Marc’s baddest band take their places on stage. The band plays a medley of Marc Anthony songs just before he appears on stage sporting his signature shades as usual that don't last long on him, black jeans, black blazer, a white button down dress shirt, and of course he wore shoes too.
The audience ranged from families with their children, sons and daughters with their mom or dad or both, couples, groups, and fans that came from far and near all ready to sing and dance their hearts out. Osvaldo Figueruelo was happy to see Marc Anthony for the first time with his wife and his mother.
“Que sentimiento de felicidad, sabor, orgullo es haber sido parte de ese público anoche. Y que bendición presenciar a una de nuestras mas grandes estrellas. Solo queda tomar las palabras de Marc Anthony anoche y decir: ¡Viva la raza latina!” (What a feeling of happiness, taste, pride to have been a part of that audience last night. And what a blessing to have witnessed one of our greatest artists. It only leaves me to take Marc Anthony's words last night and say: long live the Latin race) posted Osvaldo on Facebook.
Santi Socorro attended the concert with his family, They had seen Marc perform 20 years ago also at the same venue. It left them wanting for Marc to continue singing. “His voice is one of a kind. All of his songs are also hits. If he comes back to Tampa Bay we will be there,” said Santi.
The welcoming was surreal, the sold out venue went into hysteria as soon as Marc was spotted and belted out the first lyrics to his recent hit “Pa’lla Voy.” Marc Anthony is a showman within himself. He doesn’t need dancers, props, laser lighting, boom and bangs… It’s his voice and band that completes him for an extraordinary evening of singing and dancing.
The communication between Marc and his people was indescribable. The Latin pride was visible throughout the night with flags from Venezuela, Cuba, and of course Puerto Rico being waved as Marc repetitively yelled “Dios los bendiga y que viva la raza latina” and at one point almost slipped into the ending "puñe...” (God bless and long live the Latin race).
Marc never disappoints as the fan followers know. He keeps holding out notes, dances all over the stage making sure to cover every angle so everyone could see him. Of course he blew kisses, gave eye contact, blessings, bowing respectfully as he did to Brunilda Irizarry when he spotted her with an 8x10 sign stating “¿Marc te puedo dar mi bendición como la primera vez en 1995?” (Marc can I give you my blessing like the first time in 1995?), he even said jokingly, “Why you all sitting.” Marc wants everyone to have a great time, he wants you to sing and dance as is the message in his hit “Vivir mi Vida.”
Many times the fans out powered Marc in singing and he just let them sing. He does encourage his fans to sing with him if they know the song, “Si la saben, cántenla” and of course dance too. They knew all his songs from the first one to the last one.
The band outshined too, each in their own way and a few doing solos – Mario Sebastian strumming his guitar and Jessie Caraballo with his drum solo until Marc joined him on a set of drums. Let’s call out the additional phenomenal band members Alexandra Taveras and Franklin Torres vocalists, Ozzie Melendez trombonist and Erben Perez bassist, the four also formed their own group, A Tempo Band, during the pandemic. In addition, Curtis Rodriguez plays the bongos, Eric Velez the congas; Angel Fernandez is the musical director, guitarist and trumpeter; Bayron Ramos and Dan Reagan trombonist, Gerardo Rodriguez trumpeter, Marc Lopez percussionist, and last but not least Juan Carlos Sierra pianist.
Marc’s repertoire consisted of oldies but goodies of his endless all time hits and of course his recent hits. The setlist included “Valio la Pena,” “Y Hubo Alguien,” “Hasta Ayer,” “Flor Pálida,” “Contra la Corriente,” “Palabras del Alma,” “Si te Vas,” “Que precio tiene el Cielo,” “Mala,” “Te conozco Bien,” and after Marc sang “Parecen Viernes” he said, “buenas noches, que Dios me los bendiga,” as he waved and walked towards the back of the stage until he disappeared.
Although the arena lights were off, the arena was lit with cellphones as chants for more of Marc got louder and louder. Some started to leave but regular concert attendees and fans know a Marc Anthony concert isn’t over until Marc sings his closing theme song. For those that stayed until the end, they had an extra song to enjoy “Tu amor me hace Bien,” before ending a great and unforgettable night with “Vivir mi Vida.” Just what we all did Friday night, vivir mi vida (live my life). Indeed we did.
Vive tu vida que la vida es una, baila y canta, gózala (live your live, life is only one, dance and sing, enjoy it).
What an incredible evening it was in Tampa with the return of the salsa sensation and his band after 20 years of absence. Hopefully it’s not the last Marc Anthony concert in Tampa or a long wait for one.
To Marc Anthony, his band, his crew, and staff thanks for an awesome evening. Please come back soon!!
As the Marc Anthony duo with Carlos Vives goes, “hasta que nos volvamos a encontrar” (until we find each other again).
Missed Marc Anthony this time around, well his Viviendo tour continues, check it out here for information of where he'll be performing this year and in 2023.
Check out a few Marc Anthony reviews and what happened with Brunilda Irizarry's sign here.
