Ricardo Montaner won me Over

It was an indecisive choice between entertainment and sports. The Tampa Bay Rays who clinched the first spot in the 2026 American League East Wild Card playoff were playing the same evening Argentinian artist Ricardo Montaner was performing at the Yuengling Center in Tampa. Well I opted for the latter since the Rays have more games to play including the playoffs.

It was Ricardo Montaner's second time performing in Tampa but it was my first time in seeing him perform live this past Tuesday, September 15. His opening act featuring Colombian singer and musician Josefe started promptly at 8:00 p.m.

Within 20 minutes or so of Josefe's performance, Ricardo Montaner's musicians took their places on stage. It was an intimate setting, a venue where you feel close to the performer. 

Half way through the concert, he said "'This is the rehearsal now the concert starts...'" He mentioned it was his birthday month and had just turned 69. Changing his wardrobe about four times but remained with his accustomed casual footwear.

Montaner's El Último Regreso Tour included some of his oldies that took us from back in time to his recent recordings - "Yo que te Amé", "Será", "A dónde va el Amor", "Castillo Azul", "El poder de tu Amor", "La cima del Cielo", "El último Regreso".

His mixed medley was on point "Solo con un Beso", "La mujer de mi Vida", "Ojos Negros", "Yo sin Ti", "Yo puedo Hacer", "Convénceme", "Resumiendo", "Quisiera", "No me entregues tu Amor", "Corazón Fracturado", "Necesito de Ti" to "La chica del Ascensor".

Continuing with "Cachita", "Vamos pa' la Conga", "Bésame", "Me va a Extrañar" then closed out his 90 minute or so concert with "En el último lugar del Mundo", "Para que seas Feliz", "Déjame Llorar", "La gloria de Dios" and "Tan Enamorados". 

It was a night to reminisce, a night of positivism, inspiration, an uplifting fiesta. And I'm very happy I was there!

Note check back for more videos.

Tampa Bay Latin concert 2023 schedule - updated 11/1/23

Here are a few concerts announced so far for this year to be held in the Tampa Bay area in Florida. Be sure to check your venue website for the latest updates and guidelines as entry requirements are subject to change.

Christian Nodal at Amalie Arena Friday, October 6 at 8:00 p.m. Purchase your tickets here.

Benise at Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater in St Petersburg Friday, October 13 at 7:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, click here.

Willie Chirino at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center  Sunday, October 15 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets available for purchase here.

Maluma at Amalie Arena Saturday, October 28 at 8:00 p.m. Purchase your tickets here.

Ednita Nazario at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center Sunday, Nov 5 at 8:00 p.m. Get your tickets here.

Luis Miguel at Amalie Arena Tuesday, November 7 at 7:00 p.m. Get your tickets here. Rescheduled to June 19, 2024 at 7 p.m. 

Romeo Santos at Amalie Arena Wednesday, November 15 at 8:00 p.m. To purchase tickets, click here.

Fonseca at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center Thursday, Nov 30 at 8:00 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets.