Shakira tour hits Fresno State stadium, a first. The lowdown on tickets, parking
Eileen Anderson-Smith is a fan of live music.
“Going to concerts is my vibe,” says the Fresno-based hair stylist.
Like, she would certainly take a trip to Vegas to see the Backstreet Boys at the Sphere, though she hasn’t done it quite yet. She did see retro country rock band the Red Clay Strays at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles last month.
And she’ll be at Valley Children’s Stadium on Thursday night for Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour stop.
She’s not a Shakira fanatic, but the music is fun and energetic and — as a woman working in the beauty industry, Anderson-Smith likes all the costume changes and dancing.
“For me, it’s the experience,” she says.
“It’s entertainment.”
The concert is one of those get out-of-work-early, what-to-wear, girls-night-out kind of events. Anderson-Smith will be grabbing dinner before the concert and taking a rideshare to the stadium to avoid parking issues and the like.
Parking and getting into and out of the show
She won’t be alone.
As on Tuesday, some 20,000 tickets have been sold for the Shakira concert, according to Fresno State athletic director Garrett Klassy.
Which means traffic flows will be affected around the stadium, particularly along Shaw and Cedar avenues. It will be similar to what one would see for Fresno State football games.
For those like Anderson-Smith, the rideshare drop-off will be on the east side of the Fresno State campus, along Woodrow Avenue. Two shuttles will run guests to the north end of the stadium off Barstow Avenue, and back, with several pick-up locations along the route.
Those driving to the show will find parking at one of several lots across Fresno State’s campus, and buying a parking pass online is urged before heading to the stadium.
VIP parking tickets in two lots nearest to the stadium were still available online as of Monday, but also selling quickly.
All available lots will open at 6 p.m.
Weather forecast for Shakira concert in Fresno
The concert is listed for a 7:30 p.m. start time, though it was 9:25 p.m. before Shakira took the stage at SoFi Stadium on Monday, according to the website Setlist.fm. Previous shows had the singer on stage closer to 9 p.m.
One of the big unknowns going into the concert is whether fans will take the risk on the possibly of sitting in 100-degree heat. Thursday is expected to be the hottest day of the week, according to the National Weather Service.
It will most likely hit triple digits with the possibility of highs at 105.
The idea of a little heat doesn’t phase Anderson-Smith. She saw Coldplay perform at the Sun Bowl Stadium at the University of Texas at El Paso in June. It was 105 degrees at 5 p.m., she says.
“We lived.”
For Shakira, she made sure to buy tickets on the west side of the stadium, to avoid looking into the sunset.
“The minute the sun goes down,” she says, “we’ll be fine.”
Tickets available across the stadium
There is still opportunity for those who have yet to buy tickets.
A look at Ticketmaster.com shows seats available in all parts of the stadium, at dropped prices.
The least expensive seats, farthest from the stage, are selling for $62.50-$75.80. That’s a drop from ticket prices listed during a check of the site earlier this month.
Seats on the field near the stage are also still available, at reduced prices. They start at $128.10 and are going for as much as $128.10, according to Ticketmaster, which has been known for dynamic pricing and ticket price fluxuations. Prices will differ through other services and on the secondary market.
Fresno State has also been doing ticket promotions. On Monday, the university said it would be giving free concert tickets to the first 250 students to buy a season ticket for football, though the offer is also open to those who have already purchased a football season ticket. Several radio stations, including B95 and Q97.1, have also been running ticket giveaways in advance of the show.
After-parties planned around Fresno
Several area nightclubs are hosting Shakira after-parties to pull in concert-goers after the show, because with an event this size, there’s no denying a good promotional tie.
The Tower District video dance bar Splash, which hosted a Shakira Party for its Sunday Latin Night last month, hosts an “official” after-party starting at 10 p.m.
“Hips won’t lie all night long,” per to its post on Instagram. “No cover. Just rhythm and vibes.”
Aldo’s Nightclub, on Belmont Avenue, kicks off its after-party 9 p.m., around the time Shakira should be taking the stage. The event is free before 11 p.m. for anyone with a concert ticket and runs until 2 a.m. Reggaeton singer Soulito plays host for the night.