Shakira’s first Madrid concert opened with a procession alongside other performers. On 18 September 2026, nearly 50 artists from Benidorm Fest walked beside the Colombian singer as she headed to the stage, watched by close to 50000 people. The show opened the final leg of her global “Las mujeres ya no lloran” tour and put the RTVE music contest at the centre of the opening night.
Chanel, Vicco, Lachispa and Lucas Paulano were among those who joined the walk. Paulano is Spain’s representative at Eurovisión Junior 2026. Alongside dozens of other Benidorm Fest figures, they appeared as the “caminantes” of ‘La Loba’.
Friday’s show was the first of 12 concerts planned in Madrid. It connected Shakira’s return to the city with one of Spain’s best-known televised music competitions. Euronews reported that the Madrid series marks her return to Spain after eight years.
The partnership brings together performers from several generations of Benidorm Fest. Artists from different editions joined the same entrance and shared one of the most visible moments of Shakira’s return to Madrid. RTVE is the media partner for the singer’s residency.
Nearly 50000 spectators filled the venue for a major live event. The artists turned the route to the stage into a shared showcase for Benidorm Fest performers.
The residency is being staged at a purpose-built temporary amphitheatre within Iberdrola Music. EL País describes the venue as having capacity for 55000 people, while Madrid’s city authorities have planned for roughly 57000 visitors at each concert in Villaverde.
More details about the Madrid concerts and the attention around them are available in this earlier report. Friday’s opening added something new: Benidorm Fest artists took part directly in Shakira’s arrival before the audience. The 12-show residency is scheduled to continue through 11 October. Reports estimate that the full run could attract up to approximately 600000 people.
The RTVE delegation was led by María Eizaguirre, director of Communication and Participation at RTVE. Chanel, Vicco, Lachispa and Lucas Paulano joined Agoney, Twin Melody, Megara, Nebulossa, Almacor, Jorge González, J Kbello, K!NGDOM, Kuve, Mel Ömana, Lucas Bun, Carla Frigo, ASHA, Atyat, Izan Llunas, Kenneth, KITAI, The Quinquis, Luna Ki, Julia Medina, Rosalinda Galán, MAYO, Tony Grox &LUCYCALYS;, Mawot and Gonzalo Pinillos, who represented Spain in Eurovisión Junior 2025.
The entrance brought Benidorm Fest’s performers together for the opening of an international star’s Madrid residency, giving the contest a prominent place in one of the capital’s biggest music events. With 12 concerts planned and RTVE as media partner, the connection was clear on stage as well as in promotional material.
