In the latest installment of Cafecito Con, premiering on Monday, September 14, acclaimed Colombian rock icon Juanes sits down with Billboard associate editor Jessica Roiz to discuss a momentous chapter in his illustrious career. As he embarks on his most extensive United States trek to date, the singer-songwriter is also celebrating a quarter-century since the release of his landmark sophomore solo album, Un Día Normal. Throughout the candid and wide-ranging conversation, Juanes offers a fascinating glimpse into his rigorous touring preparations, his artistic evolution, his deep connection to his Colombian roots, and the creative vision driving his current musical era.
The conversation opens with Juanes expressing his excitement and profound appreciation for the massive undertaking that is the Juanes World Tour 2026. Having officially launched on September 3 in Orlando, Florida, the extensive 30-date itinerary marks a significant milestone for the artist as he takes his dynamic live performance to more corners of the United States than ever before. For an artist who has spent decades breaking down language barriers and introducing Latin rock to mainstream international audiences, this tour represents a fresh chapter of musical discovery and personal connection.
“It’s the first time I’m going to do such an extensive tour in the United States,” Juanes shares with Billboard during the interview. “I love opening new paths, having new goals, and connecting with people.”
This ambitious trek is far more than a standard promotional run; it is a celebration of longevity and artistic resilience. The tour features a career-spanning setlist that bridges the gap between his earliest breakout anthems and his contemporary work. Fans attending the 30-date tour can expect to hear timeless, generation-defining global hits like “La Camisa Negra,” “A Dios le Pido,” “Es Por Ti,” and “Nada Valgo Sin Tu Amor.” These classic tracks are seamlessly integrated alongside fresh material from his latest 2026 studio album, JuanesTeban, demonstrating how his sound has continually evolved while retaining the raw emotional power and distinctive guitar-driven energy that made him a household name across the globe.
Delving into the meticulous preparation required to sustain such a demanding schedule, Juanes pulls back the curtain on his daily regimen. Maintaining peak vocal and physical condition is paramount for a touring artist of his caliber, especially when navigating a multi-city schedule across the United States. He reveals that every show day begins with a disciplined 40-minute vocal routine designed to protect and strengthen his cords. This is paired with constant, daily guitar practice to keep his instrumental skills sharp, alongside rigorous full-band rehearsals to ensure tight musical cohesion on stage.
Beyond the music itself, a tremendous amount of thought and artistic collaboration goes into the visual presentation of the Juanes World Tour 2026. Juanes explains that he and his team partnered closely with creative collaborators hailing from Argentina to meticulously craft the tour’s lighting design, stage aesthetics, and immersive visual displays. Every element of the concert experience is intentionally orchestrated to captivate the audience from the opening note to the final encore.
“I love for people to go to the show and for it to be one surprise after another from beginning to end,” Juanes explains, detailing the intentionality behind the concert’s pacing. “We organize everything through harmony or the BPM of each song, as if you were a DJ at a party.”
The conversation also turns toward a monumental career milestone: the 25th anniversary of Un Día Normal. Released in 2002, the album cemented Juanes’ status as a defining force in Latin music. It achieved massive commercial and critical success, ultimately topping the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart and securing an astonishing, record-breaking 104-week run on the tally. Reflecting on the quarter-century legacy of the project, Juanes contemplates how much the music industry—and his own artistry—has transformed over the decades.
Known for his numerous chart-topping achievements, including multiple No. 1 hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart with smashes like “Me Enamora,” “La Camisa Negra,” and the unforgettable duet “Fotografía,” the Colombian singer and guitarist uses the anniversary as a moment of genuine gratitude. Throughout the interview, he opens up about his ongoing creative evolution, his lesser-known passion for painting, the enduring importance of Colombian traditions in his daily life, and even lightheartedly addresses the secret behind his famously youthful hair.
Juanes’ deep-rooted connection to his homeland and his peers was further highlighted earlier this year. In June, he joined fellow Colombian musical titans Carlos Vives, Fonseca, and Camilo for a historic and widely celebrated Billboard Español cover story. That feature explored themes of fatherhood, soccer, artistic camaraderie, and the distinct, vibrant spirit of Colombia, underscoring the profound global impact that these artists continue to make together and individually.
As the interview draws to a close, viewers are treated to an intimate portrait of a musician who remains as curious, passionate, and driven as he was when he first stepped onto the international stage as a solo artist twenty-five years ago. The full Cafecito Con interview with Juanes is available to watch now.
