Alicia Keys made an explosive entrance onto the stage. Dressed in a green bustier, jeans and knee-high boots, the singer from New York appeared with a walking stick in hand and wearing a gangster hat. The base line of Karma -the first track on her latest album, The Diary of Alicia Keys- began to sound, and the first bursts of applause were heard from an enthusiastic audience at Barcelona's Poble Espanyol.

Not long after the concert got underway, the performer took her hat off, both literally and metaphorically. A special chemistry could be noted in the atmosphere, and Keys connected with her audience right from the start; the funky beat of Heartburn gave us a chance to see her let loose with her dance moves. For fans used to seeing her seated at a piano, Keys’ swaying hips and choreographed arm movements were a real surprise, and she was skillfully accompanied by two female vocalists and a male backup singer, who demonstrated his enormous talent throughout the concert.

The chords for Woman’s Worth triggered one of the most exciting moments of the night. Later came How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore?, Butterflies and an original version of the well-known Never Can Say Goodbye, all of them showcasing Keys’ skills as a pianist. If I Ain’t Got You was one of the most warmly received songs performed, first because the singer dedicated it to all of those present, and second because she sang part of the chorus in Spanish. Keys also led her band in an instrumental piece before picking up the microphone again to perform a medley of songs from her debut album Songs in A Minor, and some from her latest release, including Dragon Days and Slow Down.

Keys’ choice of Fallin’ to round off the concert was spot on. The young performer sat down at the piano to treat her audience to the song that brought her fame and that all of her fans know by heart. She and the audience sang and "fell" together, accompanied by a melody overflowing with emotion.