Words and Images by Izzy Oxley.
For all who are going through rough patches, believe me, been there, done that. The one and only Pitbull has returned to bless the UK with 2 electrifying nights at the O2. If you are lucky enough to be walking the same soil as he does tonight, expect to cross paths with bald-capped, suit-wearing flurries of fans on your journey home.
The excitement begins the minute a bald cap arrives at your house, prepping to be a musical hero for the night takes time and dedication. When donning dark-tinted shades, and just the right amount of hand-drawn beard, you’re ready to head out the door.
‘I appreciate everyone who’s come out in a bald cap. I hope you feel how I feel’
Pitbull – O2 Arena
Now we all have interesting stories of wild sightings on the London Underground, and this event was no exception. With each approaching stop, more bald caps appeared until the Jubilee Line became a shuttle to The Pitbull experience. It did not stop there. Soaring high above the Thames, Pitbull lookalikes partied in cable cars making sure to arrive in style, descending from the heavens like a god to its sea of mirror image followers. With the rain pouring down, nothing could dampen the mood (fun fact: bald caps are surprisingly good at keeping your hair dry!).
Eventually making it inside and to the spot we were going to call home for the next two hours, the excitement was infectious. Uniformed fans bouncing up and down like a Pitbull themed Whack-a-mole with anticipation, stretching to get the best view of the stage or leaping into one another’s photographs to create precious memories. Fellow fans turned warriors were approaching the night they have dreamed of for months ever since winning the great Ticketmaster showdown late last year.
After a few final adjustments of my newly donned lack of hair, an ich and fanning to cool down, which was a regular occurrence, became a thought no more when the lights dropped. The venue never sat in silence as Lil Jon supplied the vast expanse of doppelgangers with entrance music full of nostalgia. From Turn Down for What, to Kiss by Prince, every inch of his DJ set got people moving. The occasional sing-along was encouraged when his own songs were strategically mixed into the set.
Then – the wait was over: the man, the myth, the legend – Pitbull. Mr Worldwide. Mr 305 launched onto the stage, parallel to the audiences gasps and screams of joy, he posed us with a question: “We all having a good time tonight?” – cue Don’t Stop the Party ft TJR.
The setlist transformed the O2 Arena into a time machine. Bringing Miami to London by including songs such as International Love, we bounced from 2010 to 2012, with every collaboration. Everything from Kesha to Usher evoked a euphoric pre-covid freedom and lack of responsibility. For the generation that came of age during lockdowns and lost out on many golden party years, this 2010 resurgence was more than nostalgia, it was the perfect excuse to make up for lost time, it was louder, prouder, and bald-capped.
Between his up-tempo tracks, Pitbull offered a space for reflection, so I would like to leave you with the same opportunity. Like inspirational ad breaks, he reminded us all to love and care for one another in between each song, with a message that sounded louder than the music itself: ‘There’s one race, and one race only – that’s the human race’.
LDN 