Elvis Crespo brings the merengue spirit to Kwaku

When the young singer Elvis Crespo left Grupo Mania in 1997, no one predicted the success he would achieve. His 'Suavemente' has been played worldwide for 25 years, including in the Netherlands, without ever charting in the Top-40. To celebrate this milestone, the singer honored the Kwaku Festival with an exclusive performance. Did the Puerto Rican star win over the Amsterdam audience? Yes, from the very first minute of his full-length concert.

On a sunny summer evening, the thirteen-piece band took the stage, featuring brass, percussionists, keyboardists, and more. Merengue is a complex music style, and the band behind Elvis Crespo proved to be top-notch. They played like a well-oiled machine, providing the singer all the space he needed to put on a show in his unique style. The musicians played, danced, and laughed enthusiastically—a delight to experience.

After a short musical intro, the star of the evening appeared on stage, dancing. Elvis Crespo opted for a black outfit with matching futuristic sunglasses, a choice that, given the weather, kept him quite warm. From the first moment, the singer went all out, and with a fitting "Salud Surinam!" he acknowledged the roots of the Kwaku Festival.

Crespo's show turned out to be a real workout. There was constant dancing, the band played at a high tempo, and Elvis moved all over the stage. With 'Luna Llena' and 'Nuestra Canción' from his debut album, he opened strongly, followed by 'Píntame' from his second album. Throughout the songs, Crespo maintained constant contact with the band and the audience.

Elvis engaged in a singing contest with the audience, his band members mimicked his dances, and he jumped into the crowd to greet fans and take selfies. During 'Bandida,' he playfully shot imaginary love arrows at women in the audience and kissed a fan's Puerto Rican flag. Crespo was theatrical but never forced.

The audience consisted of fans from various nationalities, some proudly waving their own flags. It was a visual representation of how Elvis Crespo, with his merengue, effortlessly united people from all over the world into one partying crowd. Songs like 'Bailar' and 'Tu Sonrisa' compelled the audience to dance, and everyone responded with enthusiasm.

The singer also thought of the new generation—with tracks like 'Neverita,' 'Pegaito Suavecito,' and 'Azukita,' Crespo clearly embraced a more modern sound. The latter track even featured a drop that had Elvis, the audience, and the band jumping up and down together. A party was undoubtedly the goal, and in Amsterdam, it was a sunny, exuberant celebration.

Of course, 'Suavemente,' the hit that started it all, couldn't be left out. As the singer recorded a video, he sang the famous intro, and the audience sang along passionately. Crespo sounded just as good 25 years later, with a band that matched his level. Thanks to the excellent teamwork, the Kwaku Festival witnessed a masterclass from Puerto Rico, proving that Elvis Crespo has rightfully earned the title of 'merengue king.'

Written for publication in Maxazine:
Elvis Crespo bezielt de geest van Merengue op Kwaku (Dutch)