Luis Miguel ‘El Sol de México’ Lights Up New York City: 5 Things to Know

Michael Jackson, who passed away in 2009, became a heartwarming part of Luismi’s set, as the performer sang “Sonríe” (or “Smile”). It’s worth noting that El Sol had a profound admiration for MJ, and it all made perfect sense as he decided to include this tribute — which fulfilled one of his greatest dreams, to sing alongside the King of Pop. Luis Miguel then transitioned to performing “Come Fly With Me,” his duet alongside Frank Sinatra, creating another memorable moment.

The countless romantic hits that Luis Miguel possesses are seemingly endless, and his knee-weakening ballads glowed on Sunday night. There were moments of euphoria among the sold-out crowd, especially when he sang the heart-rending number of “No Sé Tú” or the piano-laced “La Incondicional.” He occasionally changed the melody to some songs, or let the crowd complete some verses when the high notes were at their highest, but his golden pipes always shined, turning the night into an unforgettable one.

Another peak moment of the show was when a troupe of a dozen mariachi players took the stage to join the man of the hour. Armed with trumpets, a vihuela, a guitar, a guitarrón, and a harp, this moment electrified the crowd, as the Billboard chart-topper delivered “La Bikina,” and other hits for an invigorating medley (later including “Cucurrucucú Paloma.”) Meanwhile, a gigantic visual of the Mexican flag was projected onto the screen.

No Luismi show would be complete without him performing some of his early ’80s hits, such as the synth-driven “Ahora Te Puedes Marchar,” “La Chica Del Bikini Azul,” and “Isabel,” energetic songs with a buoyant vintage-pop flair. The singer further enlivened the moment, as he danced along with his band in unison — prancing across the stage, swinging his hips, while also cuing the sonically powerful moments with his movements.

His full orchestra — consisting of a dozen violinists, a complete brass section, soulful backup singers, and a masterful conductor — not only elevated the performance to another level, but also added an extra sonic dimension that was simply unparalleled. It was a reminder of the awe-inspiring live shows delivered by legends like Juan Gabriel. While the 53-year-old performer is renowned for his symphonic elegance — and he looked dashing, by the way — his orchestra added another crucial element to his 2023 tour that truly set it apart from the rest.