Walking along a main road in Cardiff, surrounded by a sea of fake bald heads, Aviator glasses, white shirts, and black ties, it was clear that Mr Worldwide was in town. The crowd's chants of “do do do do-do do Fireball” confirmed that Pitbull, the 45-year-old American rapper born Armando Christian Pérez, was about to perform at Blackweir Fields on July 4.
Support Acts Set the Stage
Ticket-holders were treated to support acts Fuse ODG and Lil' Jon, the latter known for his 2000s anthems. Lil' Jon performed hits like “Turn Down For What,” “Shots,” “Get Low,” and “Snap Yo Fingers,” along with unexpected mashups of “Sweet Caroline” and “Hollaback Girl” with “Sweet Dreams,” all punctuated by his signature raspy growl. He will also join Pitbull at the BST Hyde Park concert on July 10.
Pitbull's Electrifying Performance
After DJ Laz kept the energy high, Pitbull arrived and launched into “Don't Stop The Party,” transforming the tranquil park into a bouncing club. The 35,000-strong crowd, many in bald caps, erupted. Pitbull performed for 90 minutes, delivering hits like “Hotel Room Service,” “Gasolina,” “International Love,” “Rain Over Me,” “On The Floor,” “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love,” and “Timber,” which sent the audience into a frenzy.
He engaged the crowd with a chant of “Yo no quiero agua. Yo quiero tequila” before performing “Maldito Alcohol.” While Pitbull did not bring out J-Lo or Kesha for collaborative hits, reports indicate that Kesha and Tinie Tempah will appear at Hyde Park.
Memorable Moments and Minor Quibbles
Pitbull took brief interludes to change jackets, each lasting over five minutes, which required his DJ to fill time. He offered little banter between songs, but a heartfelt moment came when he attempted to thank the crowd in Welsh, saying “Diolch” three times, albeit with imperfect pronunciation.
Hyde Park Expectations
At Hyde Park, Pitbull aims to break the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people wearing bald caps. Based on the Cardiff experience, the show promises to be epic, with nostalgia, joy, and a vibrant atmosphere. Tickets remain available on Ticketmaster, Seat Unique, and viagogo.
