The stadium of Shakira's 12 concerts begins its assembly: it will be inspired by 'One Hundred Years of Solitude', will sell Latin fashion and recreate the artist's own bookstore

Shakira’s stadium for her upcoming 12 concerts has begun its assembly, drawing inspiration from Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude, featuring Latin fashion sales, and recreating the artist's personal library. The venue, located in Madrid’s Iberdrola Music complex in Villaverde, will have a capacity for 50,000 attendees. Construction started last week with workers assembling structures, scaffolding, and seating areas ahead of the first live performance on September 18. The stadium will consist of eight pavilions forming “Mundo Macondo,” a space inspired by magical realism and the novel One Hundred Years of Solitude. Each pavilion will be color-coded to help visitors navigate, focusing on different themes such as gastronomy, music, art, and literature. These will converge into a central square crowned by a tree representing Macondo. The gastronomic area will include food trucks, dining stalls, and an endless meal concept reflecting Latin American traditions of communal eating. The fashion section will showcase clothing and jewelry from Latin brands, emphasizing the celebration of Latin culture. In the fan zone, besides standard merchandise, fans can view the dresses Shakira wears in her music videos. The literary section will recreate her personal library, which will not be fully set up until after the Coca-Cola Music Experience festival, scheduled for September 4 and 5. A dedicated children’s area named “Macondito” will provide entertainment for younger audiences. The stage where Shakira will perform will be surrounded by six modular stands, adding to the arena floor to accommodate the large crowd. To manage the high attendance, organizers plan controlled exits after each concert, allowing attendees to stay until 1 a.m., despite performances ending at 11 p.m. The construction site in Villaverde has been bustling with activity as workers assemble the structures and infrastructure needed for the event. According to Alberto Rivas, the festival director and production manager, this is the largest and most ambitious project of its kind, utilizing extensive resources over an extended period. He emphasized the scale and spectacle of the event, highlighting the unique aspects of the venue design inspired by the novel. The venue will feature multiple zones catering to different interests, ensuring a comprehensive experience for all attendees. The gastronomic area aims to reflect Latin American cultural practices through communal dining experiences, while the fashion section highlights Latin brands, reinforcing the cultural theme of the event. The fan zone offers a unique opportunity for fans to see the outfits Shakira wears in her music videos, adding a personal touch to the experience. The literary section, which includes a recreation of Shakira’s personal library, will be one of the highlights of the venue. Although the library will not be fully assembled until after the Coca-Cola Music Experience festival, it promises to be a significant attraction for book lovers and fans alike. The children’s area, Macondito, ensures that families have a dedicated space for their young ones, providing them with age-appropriate activities and entertainment. Organizers have implemented measures to manage noise and crowd control effectively. Controlled exits after each concert will prevent overcrowding, and attendees will be allowed to remain in the venue until 1 a.m., even though the official end time for performances is 11 p.m. This approach aims to enhance the overall experience for visitors while maintaining safety and order within the venue.