Music review :: Dance Again World Tour with Jennifer Lopez & Enrique Iglesias

Jennifer Lopez has been on the scene for over a decade, but the Dance Again World Tour marks her debut as a headlining performer. In the US, J.Lo has partnered with superstar Enrique Iglesias as a co-headliner. The two performed at TD Garden in Boston on July 25th.

Iglesias performed first, a change due to press reviews criticizing his billing as the final performer. He kicked it off with "Tonight," a song that continues the good-boy's attempt at being a bad one. No matter how hard he tries, a baby-faced crooner known for subtle love songs singing, "Tonight I'm fucking you!" just seems tacky.

Thankfully, the majority of the songs and Iglesias' stage presence represented the Latin superstar who's made the boys and girls swoon since the 90's. Enrique took full command of the stage, keeping the audience whipped into a frenzy through hits like "Bailamos," "No Me Digas Que No," "Dirty Dancer," and last Summer's anthemic "I Like It." Enrique's live vocals have also improved, a welcome surprise that bolstered his stage presence.

In a show of support for the LGBT community, Iglesias invited a gay couple onto the stage midway through his set, sang to them, and implored them to get married before he came back on his next tour. The ecstatic couple thanked Enrique for loving all types of people, to which the audience erupted in applause. (Enrique also sang specifically to a gay man on the tour's opening night.) Lest everyone forget he's a ladies man, Iglesias brought a female audience member on stage to be serenaded through "Hero."

If the event sounds like a living Hallmark card, it was. But as contrived as the whole affair may be, Enrique's extreme likability and guy-next-door persona sold it. What Iglesias lacks in maturity he makes up for in warmth. The screaming boys and girls of all types affirmed his universal appeal as pop music's lovable jock out to throw a good party.

Jennifer Lopez was glitz and glam through her set. At 43, Lopez is in perfect shape, and it showed through her stepped up choreography. The live dancing easily surpassed what's shown in J.Lo's never-ending parade of music videos. It's a good thing, because singing is not her forte.

The show itself involved an amount of self-worship that crossed the line into absurd. Lopez impersonated James Brown, jumped in the ring as a boxer, reminisced about the Bronx, flaunted her baby boyfriend, and waxed philosophical as a mother. Alternately funny and cringe-inducing, the only individual who seemed to not be in on the joke was Lopez, who remained enthralled with herself.

Not to say the audience didn't enjoy it. Her performance level far surpasses her closest competitor: a decade-younger Britney Spears. Aside from a brief lag in the middle, Lopez kept them on their feet and dancing throughout the night, despite not going on stage until after 10pm.

?J.Lo fans don't pack an arena expecting high art, merely some sassy dance moves and Latin flavor. She delivered both in droves. For that, along with the surprisingly touching performance of "Until It Beats No More" and a showstopping encore, Lopez can say she's gotten her debut world tour off to a satisfying start.

?Frankie J serves as the opening act for the US leg, a pleasant yet ironic choice since he can sing circles around the headliners.