Coca-Cola Flow Fest — Mexico’s biggest reggaeton party celebrating Latin urban music — unveiled its 2026 lineup on Monday (June 1). Headlined by Anuel AA, Tito Double P, Ozuna and Kali Uchis, the event is set to take place Nov. 28 and 29 at Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, promoter OCESA announced.

The lineup also features standout artists like Chencho Corleone, Manuel Turizo, Yandel, Trueno, Farruko, Ñengo Flow, Zion, El Bogueto, Tito El Bambino, and more. Additionally, this year’s Flow Fest will include special guests: Grupo Frontera on the first day, and Justin Quiles and Lenny Tavárez on the second.

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, home to Mexico City’s Formula 1 races, will once again transform into the global epicenter of perreo, hosting a star-studded lineup of world-renowned artists.

“This is THE call for everyone who wants to get their perreo on,” reads a post shared by Coca-Cola Flow Fest and OCESA on Instagram.

In previous editions, the Flow Fest has hosted icons and stars like Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Don Omar, Feid, Wisin & Yandel, Maluma, Rauw Alejandro, Sebastián Yatra, Rels B, as well as representatives of “reggaeton mexa” scene like El Malilla and Cachirula & Loojan.

This year will also feature performances by Tokischa, Kevin Roldan, Ken-Y, Clarent, Dei V, Alleh, J Alvarez, FloyyMenor, Yan Block, and Kybba.

The presale for Citibanamex cardholders will take place this Thursday (June 4), organizers announced. General ticket sales will begin the following day.

Check out the full lineup for the Coca-Cola Flow Fest 2026 below:

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Bad Bunny kicked off his 10-date Madrid residency at a completely sold-out Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Saturday (May 30) with a journey through Debí Tirar Más Fotos and some of the biggest hits in his catalog. Over more than two-and-a-half hours, the Puerto Rican superstar alternated among celebratory moments, cultural references and expressions of gratitude to a crowd that accompanied him song after song.

“It feels good to be here in Madrid,” he said during the first moments of the show. “Tonight, we’re going to sing a lot of songs we haven’t sung before. I hope you’re ready.” The statement set the tone for a night in which Bad Bunny allowed himself to reflect on different stages of his career, while the audience turned practically every chorus into a massive sing-along. The setlist included hits like “La Mudanza,” “Callaíta,” “Turista,” “Tití Me Preguntó,” “Me Porto Bonito,” “Yonaguni” and “Dákiti,” with the crowd maintaining their energy throughout the entire evening.

During several moments of the show, the star reminded the audience that it had been almost 10 years since he last performed in Madrid. His previous concert in Spain’s capital city was on July 14, 2018, at what was then the WiZink Center. The artist took the opportunity to thank those who have supported him since the beginning of his career.

“Coming back to Madrid and performing like this fills my heart,” he said before dedicating a few words to the fans who believed in him “from day one.” Later on, he insisted: “I will always remember this night as the night I came back to Madrid. Thank you for waiting for me for so long.”

One of the most special moments came during his segment in “La Casita” (his famous second stage built like a Puerto Rican house), where he spent several minutes interacting with fans in the front rows. The artist chatted with attendees, listened to their stories and took photos while the rest of the stadium watched every exchange attentively. Five fans were selected to join him after repeating the now-iconic phrase “Acho, PR es otra cosa” (“Puerto Rico is something else”), a ritual that has become one of the most recognizable parts of the show. Among the guests who passed through La Casita were actresses Esther Expósito and María León, as well as Italian entrepreneur and influencer Chiara Ferragni.

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Another highly anticipated moment came with “Adivino,” the show’s traditional “exclusive song.” The surprise was revealed when Myke Towers appeared on stage to perform the track alongside Bad Bunny, sparking one of the night’s biggest ovations. Towers remained onstage for several more minutes and treated the crowd to a medley of hits, including “Diosa,” “Si Se Da,” “Lala” and “La Falda.”

Puerto Rico was ever-present throughout the night, from the participation of Los Pleneros de la Cresta to the artist’s constant references to his island. The audience was filled with pavas (traditional Puerto Rican hats), scarves, cayenne flowers and flags from various Latin American countries. “Just for today, we are all Puerto Ricans,” Benito said during one of the most celebrated moments of the concert.

“I’m ready to spend the next three weeks here,” he added later. The Madrid residency is part of the first leg of the Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour, which began on November 21-22 in Santo Domingo, Domican Republic. According to Billboard Boxscore data, the tour has already surpassed $200 million in revenue and is among the most successful of the year.

From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.

Milo J Earns Top Prize at Argentina’s Premios Gardel

At just 19, Milo J made history at the 2026 Premios Gardel on Tuesday (May 26), becoming the most awarded artist ever in a single edition after taking home 13 trophies, including the coveted Gardel de Oro. His wins included album of the year for (La Vida Era Más Corta), song of the year and record of the Year for “Niño,” plus trophies spanning urban, folklore, hip-hop/rap and music video categories.

Accepting the night’s top prize, the artist said, “I want to thank everyone — especially those I don’t always have time to thank for everything they’ve done for me. I want you to know that, in one way or another, you saved my life. And to music, which saved me from not being happy.”

The Argentine star opened the night with a moving performance of “Niño” and “Luciérnagas,” backed by a children’s choir. He also added, “La Vida Era Más Corta was an album that, beyond what it may have generated in people, changed my life; mine and a lot of other people’s. I want to thank everyone, those I don’t always have the time to thank for everything they did for me. I want you to know that you saved my life in one way or another. And to music, which saved me from not being happy.”

J Balvin Receives Special Honor from New York’s Museo del Barrio

J Balvin was honored in New York on Thursday (May 28) with a special recognition from El Museo del Barrio for his “impact as a global artist and for his contribution to promoting and raising the profile of Latin culture worldwide,” says the statement. The tribute took place during a ceremony in the city, where the Colombian star attended with his partner, Valentina Ferrer.

Founded in 1969 in East Harlem, El Museo del Barrio has long served as a key cultural institution for Latin communities in the U.S. Balvin was honored alongside Agustín and Isabel Coppel and Uruguayan art historian Estrellita Brodsky, with the recognition presented after remarks from Vogue México and Latinoamérica editorial director Karla Martínez de Salas.

Shakira and Carlos Vives’ “La Bicicleta” Turns 10

One of the biggest Colombian pop hits of the past decade turned 10 this week. Released in 2016, Carlos Vives and Shakira’s “La Bicicleta” became a major crossover success, reaching No. 1 on Latin Airplay and Latin Pop Airplay, among other chart achievements.

“10 years ago we made this song that we called ‘A desperate vallenato,’ but when Afo Verde had the idea of sending it to Shakira … ‘La Bicicleta’ was born,” Vives captioned on Instagram on Thursday (May 28). “We have sung and danced to it around the world and we have been very happy. And well, what can I tell you, I am still the same messy-haired guy, on a bike that takes me everywhere. I love you Shak!!! Happy birthday to our song and thank you Andres Castro for creating it with us.” 

Watch the 1.8 billion stream video below.

New Podcast on the Birth of Salsa in NYC, Hosted by Rosie Perez

Salsa’s origin story is getting a fresh spotlight with Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York, a new eight-episode podcast hosted by Rosie Perez and produced by Futuro Media. Premiering Tuesday (May 26), the series is described in a press release as “the most comprehensive audio narrative yet made about the birth and wild heights of salsa, a genre that continues to shape global culture today.”

The podcast goes back to 1964, when a Dominican musician and an Italian-American ex-cop founded Fania Records in New York City, ultimately helping spark a global cultural revolution, according to the release. It chronicles the rise of Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe, Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades and the Fania All Stars, while tracing a legacy that runs through the artists dominating music streaming today, like Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro, and Karol G.

Topics across the eight episodes include “the night salsa crystallized as an art form at the Cheetah Club in 1971, the Young Lords and FBI surveillance of Fania artists, Celia Cruz’s ascent to global icon, and the Afro-Caribbean roots of the music, the drugs, betrayal, and lawsuits that ultimately brought the label down,” according to the release.

Nicky Jam Returns to Puerto Rico With Two Sold-Out, Star-Studded Shows

A decade after his last performance on the island, Nicky Jam returned to the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot (a.k.a. El Choli) on Memorial Weekend (May 23 and 24) with two sold-out El Regreso a Casa concerts. The back-to-back shows marked a full-circle moment for the reggaetón star, whose homecoming drew a multigenerational lineup of surprise guests including J Balvin, Jowell & Randy, Tito El Bambino, Zion, Cosculluela, Justin Quiles, Lenny Tavárez, Lunay and Ñejo.

The pair of sold-out shows underscored Nicky’s everlasting bond with his native Puerto Rico and the genre’s roots. Framed as a celebration of reggaetón’s past and present, the event brought together key figures from across eras of Latin urban music on one of Puerto Rico’s most important stages.

With his new album Pueblo Salvaje I, Manuel Carrasco completes the universe he opened a year ago with Pueblo Salvaje II, an album that marked a period of exploration and depth for the Andalusian artist. “I showed the trunk and the crown first, and now I’m showing the roots,” Carrasco says. “This way, we close the circle.”

Released under Universal Music Spain on Thursday (May 28) at 6 p.m. ET — midnight in the European country — the 11-track album moves between pop and flamenco roots, featuring lyrics about identity, memory and personal reconstruction. The set opens with “Polaroids,” a statement of principles where flamenco once again takes center stage in Carrasco’s sonic realm.

It also includes “A La Sombra De La Higuera,” built around acoustic guitars, clapping rhythms and arrangements closer to his roots, alongside previously released singles “Oh Si Pudiera” and “Cambiar,” as well as collaborations with Juanes and Kany García.

Just hours before its release, Carrasco presented the album at the Lutheran Church of Castellana in Madrid — a space chosen deliberately — where Billboard Español had the chance to speak with him. “This is supposed to be a sacred place, and for me, the album is sacred,” he said. “It’s an album that embraces you.”

If Pueblo Salvaje II showcased a more visceral and emotionally raw side of Carrasco, this new volume finds the artist in a more intimate and reflective place.

Among the album’s standout moments are collaborations with Juanes and Kany García, two artists who also strengthen the bridge Carrasco is building toward Latin America in this new phase of his career. With Juanes, Carrasco recorded “Gente Corriente,” a song built around guitars and a sensitivity closely tied to Latin folk, where both artists sing about everyday wounds, contradictions and the need to keep moving forward.

The Colombian rocker joined the project just days before the album’s completion. “He didn’t even think twice,” Carrasco shares, adding that Juanes “has elevated [the song] even further. He’s someone deeply rooted, who carries Colombia strongly with him.”

“Making music with Manuel is always a privilege,” the Colombian rocker said in a statement to Billboard. “I admire his poetry and the honesty he brings to his music. It’s an honor to accompany him on this new journey.”

Meanwhile, García collaborated on “Respétame,” a ballad marked by the dialogue between their voices, speaking about emotional boundaries within a relationship. According to Carrasco, they had wanted to work together for some time, and he finally reached out to the Puerto Rican singer-songwriter directly: “Look, Kany, let’s stop beating around the bush,” he recalls telling her. “This song is ready; if you like it, let’s do it.”

The album’s release comes just weeks ahead of Carrasco’s four-night residency at Estadio La Cartuja in Seville. Scheduled for June 13, 14, 19 and 20, the residency — titled Salvaje Desde La Raíz — will feature music from different stages of his career, with distinct setlists, visuals and stage designs each night. In total, Carrasco expects to gather around 250,000 people in Seville, a city where he already holds the attendance record for a concert by a Spanish artist at La Cartuja.

While he insists that “the numbers aren’t what’s important,” he acknowledges the anticipation surrounding the series of shows. “People are expecting something big, and something big is what we’re preparing,” he said. “I’ve had a long career, and I know it’s not easy to stay relevant over time. I’m living my best years, and it’s incredible that this is happening.”

Following the residency and a final show in Madrid on June 27, the artist plans to travel to Latin America for a tour that will include stops in Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica and Peru, among other countries, before wrapping up in the United States in early 2027. Details and dates will be announced later.

Maluma welcomed Billboard to his estate in Medellín, Colombia, where, amidst horseback rides, coffee breaks and stunning tropical vegetation, he spoke candidly not only about his new music, but also about his mental health, the second baby he’s expecting with his partner Susana Gómez and the upcoming presidential elections in his home country.

“My country hurts me,” Maluma said in an exclusive interview with Billboard’s Leila Cobo, reflecting on the violence that shook Colombia in the ’90s and looking ahead to the May 31 elections. “We have to vote! I’m not telling you who to vote for, but I even feel like renting a truck and driving people [to the voting centers] on election day.”

“It’s an important topic and something that really matters to me,” he explained. “I want [my daughter] Paris to not experience what perhaps your generation or several generations went through — those who left and didn’t want to return because of the country’s problems.”

Maluma, who released his new album Loco X Volver on May 15, also fondly remembered the late Colombian popular music singer Yeison Jiménez, with whom he got to record the track “Con el Corazón” for this album. Jiménez died tragically in a plane crash this past January at the age of 34.

“We spent months where we were very close. Talking about him is really tough. The song is beautiful and everything, but yeah, that guy is sorely missed,” said Maluma, unable to hold back tears. “Life goes by in a flash, you know? You think about that guy, and it feels unreal, it feels unreal.”

He also spoke about how his relationship with fame has changed — “Today I prefer to be at peace in my home,” he said — and about prioritizing his mental health after feeling overwhelmed at the end of his last tour. He admitted that if he hadn’t taken a break, “something bad” might have happened.

“Life isn’t just music,” he expressed. “Life isn’t just fans, autographs […] life isn’t TikTok or Instagram. And I lived 24/7, 365 in that mindset, and of course, when I stopped, my brain was like, ‘Oh man, they took away my dopamine, they took away everything.’”

“I disconnected for months,” he continued, adding that precisely “that detox from social media was also one of the main keys that showed me I needed to stop.”

Watch the full interview (in Spanish) above.

Every month, Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors spotlight a group of rising artists whose music we love. Think “diamantes en bruto,” or “diamonds in the rough.” These are newcomers who have yet to impact the mainstream — but whose music excites us, and who we believe our readers should make a point to discover.

Our latest edition of On the Radar Latin includes a wave of emerging artists, who we discovered by scrolling on social media, networking, or coming across their music at a showcase, for example. See our May 2026 recommendations below.

Name: DIA

Country: Puerto Rico

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: DIA has quickly become a strong force in the música urbana space since his debut single in 2020, “ONEMVNARMY.” The artist born Alexis Díaz kicked off his six-year career as a songwriter and producer for artists such as J Balvin, Rauw Alejandro, and Yandel. Now, at the forefront with a progressive solo career, DIA’s signature trapsoul and reggaetón sound is backed by his sultry, smooth vocals as heard in “¿te ACUERDAS de mi?,” “SUSTANCiAS CONTROLADAS,” “Pidiendo Saoco,” and “LLamando de Nuevo,” to name a few.

The rising Puerto Rican artist — who’s a Latin Grammy nominee and a skilled piano player — became popular name in 2023 with his participation on “Merry Remix” with Jay Wheeler and Randy Nota Loca. In 2025 he dropped his debut studio album ¿QUE DICEN EiAS? (Casablanca Records/GLAD Empire), and he’s currently making the rounds with the ultra-perreo “Super Estrellá” in collaboration with Yomo, Alejo and Subelo NEO. — JESSICA ROIZ

Song for Your Playlist: “Llamando De Nuevo”

Name: El de la Tinta

Country: Mexico

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: El de la Tinta (real name: Ulises) is quickly becoming a sensation, thanks to the viral hit “Holanda” with Angel Cervantes and Sahir Montoya, and its catchy “ra-ta-ta” chorus. This song has ignited a creative wildfire, especially on Tiktok, where it boasts over 500,000 video creations — including Tito Double P and Manuel Medrano jumping on the trend. During the pandemic, Ulises picked up the guitar, but driven by his shyness, he first released his music anonymously online. As his confidence grew, his corridos tumbados struck a chord with a new generation. His songs weave together acoustic guitars, the rich resonance of the toloche, and soulful trumpets, creating a lush soundscape for his vocals — a gentle rasp that radiates warmth and sincerity. This unique mix of instruments and heartfelt vocals brings to life songs about heartbreak, like “Ojitos Marrones” and “Insomnio,” and celebrates love in tracks such as “Besitos” and “La Niña De Casa.” — INGRID FAJARDO

Song for your Playlist: “Holanda” feat. Angel Cervantes, Sahir Montoya

Name: Emjay

Country: Mexico

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: This singer-songwriter has emerged as one of the most intriguing new voices in Mexico’s latest generation of pop, thanks to her natural, raw, and uninhibited style—inspired by alternative rock aesthetics, or what she herself has dubbed “Heavy Pop.” Her introspective lyrics and explosive stage presence position her as one of the finest performers on the country’s current music scene; her appearance at the Tecate Emblema Festival earlier this month was a testament to this, as she stood out as one of the top acts.

Emjay (a name derived from her initials, María José) began her career in the trap and hyperpop genres, with projects such as LAS MORRAS TAMBIÉN HACEN TR444P. However, her latest EP, Confesiones De Las Que Me Voy A Arrepentir — released last March via Warner Music Mexico — marks a turning point in her career, featuring ’90s-style guitars and a rawer, more emotive energy. She recently served as the opening act for Doja Cat at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City. Her “Pop Pesado 2026” tour across Mexico has already been announced, with several dates scheduled for the coming months. — NATALIA CANO

Song for your Playlist: “Bellaka”

Name: Los Dos De Tamaulipas

Country: Mexico

Why They Should be on Your Radar: So far in 2026, the Mexican duo has made a surprising and successful breakthrough in the Regional Mexican music scene. Their single “El Chavalón” reached No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart and No. 2 on Latin Airplay; the same success followed with the tracks “Supercargada” and “Ayúdame,” both included on their album Expansión, released in April. This album paved the way for their first U.S. tour with more than 40 sold-out dates.

With their traditional norteño music and a distinctive performance style, brothers Rolando and Orlando Zapata have joined the ranks of Regional Mexican music — no longer merely as rising prospects, but as established fixtures. Artists such as El Fantasma and Luis R Conríquez have collaborated with and championed these singer-songwriters, who hail from Tamaulipas in northern Mexico. The duo was recently honored by ASCAP for the success of their compositions featured on the album Arriba La Compañía, released last year. — TERE AGUILERA

Song for your Playlist: “El Chavalon”

Name: Omar Camacho

Country: United States

Why They Should be on Your Radar: Born in San Diego, California, Omar Camacho is part of the urban music movement of Mexican-American singers who fuse their style with leading figures of the new Regional Mexican genre. His growing fanbase — totaling over 13 million monthly listeners on Spotify — positions him as one of the most promising rising artists under 21. His debut album, Nunca Voy A Morir (Warner Music México) — dropping this May 28th — serves as proof of his talent for navigating diverse sounds, featuring collaborations with Víctor Mendívil, Santa Fe Klan and Código FN, among others. Camacho is currently participating in the successful “Rico o Muerto” tour headlined by Óscar Maydon — a former Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise. — T.A.

Song for your Playlist: “Dos + Dos” (feat. Victor Mendivil)

Name: Quelle Rox

Country: United States

Why They Should Be on Your Radar: Puerto Rican-Cuban artist Quelle Rox is carving out a dreamy Spanglish lane that feels intimate, sensual and quietly magical. Based in New York, originally from Florida, she blends indie-soul, dream-pop and Latin warmth into songs that shimmer with soft-focus heartbreak. Her latest single “Mint Cherry Red (pa’ olvidarte amor)” is a strong example of that world: supple bass, hazy textures and breathy vocals that glide between English and Spanish with an ease that feels lived-in. There’s an early Kali Uchis quality to her aesthetic — ethereal, delicate and seductive — but Quelle’s perspective feels distinctly her own, rooted in bilingual confession and the kind of post-heartbreak glow-up that turns pain into style.

In the video for “Mint Cherry Red,” she leans all the way into that mood, cruising in a convertible, hitting the carnival and Coney Island in red tights, animal print and a beret, serving soft-girl glamour with a knowing edge. With songs like “Más Bonita” and “Apareces de la Nada” continuing to build traction, and a full Spanglish project on the way, Quelle Rox feels like an artist stepping into a more defined era — and one worth catching now. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Song for your Playlist: “Mint Cherry Red (pa’ olvidarte amor)

Miami’s Kaseya Center filled up with sombrero vueltiaos and Colombian flags to receive Carlos Vives’ Tour Al Sol on Saturday night (May 23). 

At 9 p.m. sharp, three large screens — including a round one in the center that represented a sun (hence the tour’s name) — lit up the sold-out arena: “We all need the sun to be happy,” Vives’ voice recited in an intro video.

In the conceptual two-hour show, the Colombian star took spectators on a journey through the solar system all the way to infinity, but “in my homeland, the sun hits incredibly hard,” he continued in the clip before he got on stage. 

Flaunting a black denim jacket and jeans, and his bouncy, signature dirty blond curls, Vives kicked off the concert with “Volví a Nacer,” followed by “La Bicicleta” and “Canción Bonita.” 

“How are you, Miami? The city of all,” he said. “For me, it is important to be in this city. Music took me around the world — not to become more famous, but to show my family what lay beyond Colombia. I have been singing for many years, and one learns who it is they sing for: my country, my land, my people, my region.”

Throughout the night, Vives, who was joined by 11 musicians, also serenaded fans with his vallenato and cumbia classics, including “La Gota Fria,” “El Cantor de Fonseca,” “Carito,” “Pa’ Mate,” “Cuando Nos Volvamos a Encontrar,” “Fruta Fresca” and “Robarte un Beso.”

Among his notable surprise guests were Niña Pastori for a performance of “Sombra Perdida”; Sergio George for “Si yo volviera a nacer”; Grupo Niche for the salsa-cumbia version of “La Tierra del Olvido”; and Fonseca for “Quiero verte sonreir.” 

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 “Each show of Tour al Sol will be a concert from sunrise to sunset — a journey through the emotions of music that moves with the sun,” Vives previously told Billboard Español. “In short, Tour al Sol is a concert with the sun of La Provincia.”

The Tour Al Sol, which kicked off April 16 in Toronto, will wrap June 5 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan.

Fuerza Regida opened its Sueños 2026 headlining set with “Marlboro Rojo,” and within seconds, the mood at Grant Park tipped from festival excitement into something sweatier, louder and a little less stable. By Sunday night (May 24), the San Bernardino group had turned the final stretch of one of the country’s biggest Latin music festivals into a full-blown corridos fever dream — the kind with girls screaming, bodies giving out near the barricade and songs hitting hard enough to feel almost physical.

That was always going to be part of the story. In a conversation with Billboard before the set, the group reflected on playing the inaugural Sueños in 2022 without top billing and coming back this year to headline — a move they said they had already “manifested.” After a run that included their groundbreaking album IIIXPANTIA (2025) and an even bigger grip on the corridos conversation, the upgrade felt earned.

JOP hit the stage in a black trench coat, beanie and sunglasses, serving regional Mexican menace with just enough rockstar vanity to send the front rows into overdrive. The screaming started instantly. So did the phones. At a certain point, the reaction around him stopped feeling like regular festival fandom and started reading more like mass devotion — primal, messy, borderline unwell. But Fuerza Regida’s pull is bigger than one frontman. As a band, they’ve figured out how to make corridos hit like adrenaline, and Sueños felt fully locked into that frequency.

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The set moved with the loose, cocky energy of artists who knew they could afford to have fun. Chuyin — the masked Street Mob artist whose debut album recently landed on the Billboard charts — popped up for “Pues Ya Ni Pedo.” Chino Pacas returned to the stage for “Qué Onda.” Los Gemelos de Sinaloa and Clave Especial added to the sense that this was less a tightly controlled headline slot than a rolling onstage link-up between artists moving inside the same orbit. One of the most electric pivots came from Moises López, usually posted up with the tololoche, who assumed vocal duties for the first time live and ripped off his shirt mid-hype like the assignment was to keep pushing the temperature higher.

And then there were the pauses. More than once, the set had to stop while distressed fans fainted were attended to and pulled out, carts repeatedly cutting through the crowd. Call it the Michael Jackson effect, call it overstimulation, call it what happens when a band gets big enough to short-circuit the people trying to see it up close. Whatever the label, the point landed.

Sueños ended on Fuerza Regida’s terms: corridos at full volume, guests in rotation, fans hanging on by a thread. Next up, the group takes that same energy on the road with Esto No Es Un Tour, which kicks off its U.S. stadium run on June 18 at Petco Park in San Diego.

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Kali Uchis arrived at Sueños 2026 in a carriage, but the real reveal came later.

On Saturday (May 23), the Colombian American superstar used her headlining main stage set at Chicago’s Grant Park to launch her For the Girls Tour, delivering nearly an hour of hits with the kind of lush, soft-focus drama that has become one of her signatures. Her voice stayed velvety and controlled throughout, gliding over the festival grounds as she moved through fan favorites including “Telepatía,” “After the Storm,” “Moonlight,” “Dead to Me” and “Loner.”

The performance leaned fully into Uchis’ gift for world-building. Her entrance nodded to Selena’s iconic 1995 Astrodome arrival, while her custom all-white look — a fitted, sexy, western-leaning ensemble — felt equal parts angelic and festival-ready. Around her, the choreography was sleek and exacting, from mirror-heavy tableaux to sensual chair routines with male dancers, all of it reinforcing the cinematic universe she has created onstage. The For the Girls Tour will continue with stops in New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles and more. See the full dates here.

In an exclusive interview with Billboard Español before the set, Kali Uchis opened up about evolving beyond the Sincerely, Tour, why Mariah the Scientist was the right choice for For the Girls, and the Spanglish album she says is already finished.

What does it mean to kick off the For the Girls Tour at Sueños, one of the biggest Latin music festivals in the U.S.?

I’m really excited. I feel like every time we do the show, it’s an evolved version. I try to always make it better than last, so there’s going to be a lot of elements from the original Sincerely, Tour. I try to find ways to make it funner for me to perform.

This is my last time touring for the whole rest of the year. So I’m just going to try to give my all and do my best and then take my little break, focus on my album.

From what you’ve created for this show, what does this era say about where you are right now — both as an artist and as a woman?

It’s very cinematic. I try to play a lot with that. My show has always been a bit theatrical in a sense. We did the angel wings and the pillow fighting, and now we’re gonna do some bottle breaking. We do the gun. A lot of different things that feel very much inspired by art cinema and that theatrical type of vibe.

I changed the entrance. I used to come in on a swing, which was really fun. I’m coming in on a carriage now. Since it’s outdoors, I was like, “What can I do outdoors?” It’s like a little homage to Selena’s last show, while also making it my own. I try to always make everything I do that’s inspired by the icons feel like my own.

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What made Mariah the Scientist the right artist to join you on this tour?

I love her music. I mostly listen to vintage music, but I really love Mariah’s songs. I love her songwriting. I love that she champions that, her songwriting. I think she’s an amazing, really talented girl and this tour is for the girls!

When fans enter and leave the show, what do you want For the Girls to feel like?

I want them to feel inspired. I want them to feel empowered. That’s something that I always hope for anyone who attends my show — to feel a sense of community, to feel seen through music that may have touched them or helped them through a hard time; to feel like they got to have that full experience of really being impacted in a way that shifts them in a positive way.

That’s really always my goal, for people to leave feeling inspired. I’m really somebody who came from nothing and who also didn’t have support from my family or necessarily anyone around me. I always champion being proud of yourself, who you are and where you come from, no matter what you have going on — and to be the number one supporter of yourself.

When you reflect on your career, what stays with you most?

I try to always remember where I come from, but more than anything, I feel like it’s really important for me to be very grateful for all of the changes that have happened in my life and where I am right now. But also, to use that to inspire the youth and people who might feel like giving up.

I feel like I’m where I am today because of my state of mind — I was never gonna believe the things that outwardly people wanted me to believe about myself. It was always very important for me for my inner voice to be the loudest voice.

When we caught you at Madison Square Garden, you mentioned you were working on new music. What can you share?

I have a lot of it finished, honestly. I have a whole album done. I just really want to be done with my touring and then just lock in on finalizing it and putting all those last pieces together.

Is it in English or Spanish?

Spanglish.

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J Balvin didn’t need surprise guests or a big reinvention to close out the first night of Sueños Music Festival 2026. He just needed the songs.

During his hour-long headlining set on Saturday night (May 23) at Chicago’s Grant Park, the Colombian superstar delivered a tightly wound medley of hits that doubled as a reminder of his place in the reggaetón canon — not just as a hitmaker, but as one of the genre’s defining global architects. If Sueños is built to celebrate Latin music’s past, present and future, Balvin’s performance made a convincing argument for why his catalog still sits firmly at the center of that conversation.

He took the stage at 9 p.m. local time in classic tan Dickies and a yellow jacket, striking a balance between laid-back and larger-than-life. From there, the set moved with the confidence of an artist who knows exactly how much history is attached to his records. “Ginza” still landed with the same snap it had in 2015, when Balvin was helping push Colombian reggaetón even deeper into the global mainstream. Elsewhere, lines about breakups, makeups and messy desire were met with instant recognition from a crowd that hardly needed prompting.

Balvin kept the audience engaged all night, asking fans to put their phones in the air and checking in on the energy in the park before launching into “La Canción.” But some of the set’s strongest moments came in his brief asides between songs. In the middle of Mental Health Awareness Month, he encouraged fans to embrace the person next to them — a small but resonant gesture from an artist who has long spoken openly about anxiety, depression and emotional well-being. Later, he also shouted out immigrants “who are fighting day by day,” drawing one of the loudest responses of the night.

That blend of confidence and sentiment helped give the set shape beyond a straightforward greatest-hits run. For “Que Calor,” Balvin peeled off the yellow layer to reveal a white tank, and by the final stretch, he tore it open, revealing his tatted muscles. What could have felt like gratuitous rock-star bravado in lesser hands instead landed as yet another effortless flex in a performance full of them.

Backed by dancers and a crowd eager to meet him at every word, Balvin headlined like someone fully aware of what his presence still means. More than a victory lap, the performance was a reminder: the OGs don’t always have to chase the moment when they helped create it.

The Medellín star’s set capped a Saturday lineup that also featured Kali Uchis, Paulo Londra, Danny Ocean, Manuel Turizo and more. Sueños continues Sunday (May 24) with performances by Ryan Castro, Yandel, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Fuerza Regida and more.

Earlier this month, Balvin and Ryan Castro released their joint album Omerta. He was also recently announced as part of the lineup for the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico.