Live Review: Calle 13 rocks the Big Apple

Today's most relevant urban group invaded the Nokia Theater, in the heart of New York City's Times Square this Thursday night, proving once again why they've got all kinds of awards under their belt and make critics drool record after record. To those who don't like it... pueden llorar.

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All about Calle 13

Calle 13 has made it their mission to let the world know they are different than your average urban act. But really, all they got to do to prove it is be themselves. Thursday night at the Nokia Theater in New York City's famous Times Square just pointed out the obvious, these are not a bunch of reggaetoneros glorifying bling, bling.

The line-up was a dream, with Mexican electro-rockers Kinky opening the bill with dance pearls like "Coqueta" and the crowd favorite "Más". But the main dish rolled out at about 9:30pm driving into collective excited screams. Residente, Calle 13's feisty MC took over the stage to open their set with the energetic "La Fokin Moda", and continued to make bodies shake with "Cumbia de los Aburridos" which pokes fun at wallflowers, "zapatea que tu no eres gringa!" he commanded.

"Maybe next time we can play at Central Park," he said referring to the venue as too fancy a place, "esto es muy fino pa' nosotros,". Residente made sure to keep their audience engaged talking to us and joking in between songs throughout the night.

Of course, the live gig wouldn't be the same without the musical prowess of Residente's other half (and half brother) Visitante, Calle 13's beatmaker who directs their small orchestra and plays a bunch of instruments ranging from accordion to guitar and keyboards, plus some other strange trinkets. Meanwhile, their sister, PG-13, clad in skin tight blue leggings and tube top, supported Residente's lyrics with her powerful voice that can go from graceful to raunchy as quickly as her moves go from playful to tempting, in seconds.

Their amazing live show, complete with trumpets and drums, continued with their shout out to immigrants as Residente amped the crowd with the comment "Latinoamérica unida como Simón Bolívar soñó" and PG-13 began to belt the beginning of 'Pa'l Norte' a song off their album Residente o Visitante.

Fans also got a taste from Calle 13's upcoming new album Los de Atrás Vienen Conmigo with the upbeat single "Fiesta de Locos", which got everyone in the crowd singing along. Just like "Nadie Como Tú" (originally recorded with iconic Mexican rockers Café Tacvba). Plus, a riveting performance of the most awaited song of the night, "Que Lloren," their kiss-off to reggaeton artists like Ivy Queen, who tend to claim they are "so street" in their lyrics but wear "fur coats" under the scorching sun. "El género urbano es lo que se cuenta en la calle," said Residente to a cheering crowd, "It's about all those people trying to make a living."

To wrap up the evening Calle 13 happily sang their hit "Atrevete-te-te" sending people straight into a dance frenzy and leaving us all craving more.

TerraUS/Valentina España