Gloria Trevi's power is in the ferocity of her intent.
The Mexican singer. who performed Friday at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land. puts maximum effort into every aspect of her Isla Divina Tour. The ballads soar. the pop moments sparkle. the rock anthems ripple through the crowd. It's an exhilarating trek through more than three decades of hits.
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Trevi tore through a series of costume changes. often while still onstage. She brandished a sword. fought back tears and flashed a prosthetic six-pack as Mr. Trevi. an alter ego developed for 2015's "El Amor" album. She was accompanied by a set of charismatic dancers on a sleek. elaborate stage that made creative use of LED screens and looked as if it reached to the sky.
The lights dimmed as David Bowie's "Let's Dance" blasted through the speakers. A three-minute timer counted down Trevi's arrival. Images of war. disease and struggle flashed across the central screen.
She appeared from amid a pile of dancers. made to look much larger in front of a mirror image ron the screen. (It was very "All the Lovers" by Kylie Minogue.) Trevi started with "Que Hago Aquí." the title track from her 1989 debut album. Her first of countless looks included thigh-high gold boots and a large pair of white wings. accented by a glittering heart brooch that looked as if it was bleeding.
The set also changed to reflect different themes. from apocalyptic to the "Isla Divina" of her current album to Greek mythology. Early in the show. Trevi addressed the crowd in Spanish and reflected on some of the unexpected effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The world stopped for something small and invisible. But it ripped our wings. our dreams. And for some. our hearts. Some loves that seemed eternal became strangers and enemies." she said.
Trevi has always worn her heart on her sleeve (or. in this case. glittering atop her chest). But those sentiments added urgency to several songs. including "El Reencuentro de los Daños" and "No Querías Lastimarme." an aching. standout ballad that incited waves of emotion through the crowd.
Trevi’s catalog is built on that gushing. emotional energy. It made her a symbol of youthful rebellion throughout the world with such songs as "Dr. Psiquiatra" and "Con los Ojos Cerrados." Onstage. they’re transformed into even more thundering anthems. The rebel yell of "Pelo Suelto" was amplified with tribal drums. Spanish singer Rocío Jurado’s "Como Yo te Amo" was drenched in pop drama. Worldwide hit "Cinco Minutos" boasted a punchier arrangement.
Trevi highlighted songs. including "Sube" and "Nos Volvimos Locos." from 2022 album "Isla Divina" during a segment featuring hula skirts and blow-up pink flamingos. At one point. dancers removed part of her outfit to reveal a two-piece bathing suit.
She refashioned Laura Branigan’s ‘80s hit "Gloria" into her own anthem of empowerment. That theme carried over into "Grande." about breaking free from an abusive relationship; and "Todos Me Miran." the LGBTQ+ anthem that has become Trevi’s signature song.
"The gay fans. perhaps because they have been so defamed. so libeled. they gave me their shoulder. and they were the ones who helped me rise up. to feed my family." Trevisaid last year. She emphasized the point by quoting the song lyrics. "They were the ones who started to put makeup on me. to dress me. to put on my heels. They made me feel that I was beautiful." she adds. I am very. very. very grateful."