A spokesperson for Live Nation, which runs the shows at the ballpark, did not identify the specific issues.
“During a routine pre-show check, structural elements were identified as not being up to standard, so the shows were canceled,” the Live Nation spokesperson said. “All team members are safe.”
In an earlier statement, Live Nation said “Refunds will be available at your point of purchase. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
Jason Aldean was set to perform Friday with Brooks & Dunn.
Luz Aguilera, 32, of Boston, and Brenda Flores, 33, of Rhode Island, were waiting outside the ballpark when they got the bad news.
“It was just disappointment, on so many levels,” Flores said. “My family’s Colombian and [Shakira] is an idol of mine, she’s my favorite artist. I grew up with her.”
Flores said she and Aguilera had been picked for Shakira’s Camina con La Loba program, which offers selected fans the opportunity to join Shakira on stage during the concert’s opening.
“Being able to have the chance to even be near her, to just walk the stage with her at the concert, was a dream come true for me,” she said.
Shakira’s show was to have been the first to launch this year’s Nucar Fenway Concert Series. An updated schedule on Thursday listed the next shows as Hozier on June 23 and 24, according to mlb.com.
While concertgoers have been promised refunds, the women said they haven’t heard anything about a redo of that opportunity.
A city spokesperson referred questions and requests for comment to Live Nation.
Aguilera said fans were told of the stage issues at the ballpark.
“Apparently the stage fell, or something like that,” Aguilera said.
“I understand that safety is very important,” Aguilera said. “However, it’s also important to make sure that everything for a huge event like this gets monitored with a lot of detail, to make sure that this doesn’t happen.”
Despite their disappointment, the women emphasized they hold no resentment toward the singer. “Shakira, we love you!” they both said.
Flores added with a laugh, “Shakira, you’re in Boston, we want to take you out to dinner!”
“You’re free, we’re free,” Aguilera said. “Please, want to take you out, girl!”
On Wednesday, Shakira shared her excitement on X about performing in Boston with special guests Will.I.am of the Black-Eyed Peas and Haitian rapper, singer, and record producer, Wycleff Jean, a founding member of the Fugees.
“Boston I’m coming!” Shakira posted. “And can’t wait to be on stage with all of you!”
Outside Fenway Thursday night, Shakira fans could barely hide their disappointment. Some wiped away tears or spoke on their phones.
“I’ve been waiting for her to go back on tour for almost a decade, because the last time I saw her was maybe 10 years ago,” said Tim Estiloz, 45, of Waltham.
He added that he had been eager to attend after her initial date was called off — Shakira had been set to perform at TD Garden last December but postponed the world tour to switch to larger arenas, including Fenway Park for Thursday’s show.
“So I was, like, really excited for this one,” he said.
Subdued fans filled restaurants and bars, where Shakira’s music played on speakers.
“She means a lot to the Hispanic community, particularly Colombians,” Estiloz said. “She was one of the trailblazers in Latino music, making that become mainstream in the 80s. So you know, she’s just a really significant, and there’s a lot of pride there.”
Indeed, many concertgoers tied their love for Shakira to their Colombian heritage.
“I’m Colombian, I’m from Colombia, so I love her,” said 21-year-old Catherine Medina of New Hampshire.
“I’m originally from Colombia, so I’ve been listening to her my whole life,” said 16-year-old Luciana Afanador of Lowell.
“It was [going to be] my first concert,” Afanador added.
Tonya Alanez can be reached at tonya.alanez@globe.com. Follow her @talanez. Rita Chandler can be reached at rita.chandler@globe.com.
