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Alejandro Marcovich, former guitarist of the Mexican band Caifanes, is in a coma after suffering a stroke on Tuesday night (May 19), his family informed on Friday (May 22) in a statement published on social media.

“The musician is in a coma in the intensive care unit with a reserved prognosis,” said the document, signed by Marcovich’s wife, Gabriela Martínez, and their children Béla and Diego.

The family says that the 65-year-old guitarist was rushed to the hospital after suffering the cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and that he is “in good hands with specialist doctors alongside his wife and two children.”

“For this reason, he will not be able to attend the previously scheduled concert dates until further notice,” the family adds. They also express their gratitude for the outpouring of love from his fans and the well wishes for his recovery, hoping for a swift improvement in his condition.

Alejandro Marcovich was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1960 but has lived in Mexico since the 1970s when his family went into exile in the North American country following the 1976 coup d’état. He was a founding member of the legendary band Caifanes from 1989 to 1995, and before that, of Las Insólitas Imágenes de Aurora. Due to disputes and irreconcilable differences between the guitarist and vocalist Saúl Hernández, Caifanes disbanded, but in 2011, the band celebrated a historic reunion.

Considered one of the most legendary and influential bands in the Mexican rock scene, with classics such as “La Negra Tomasa” and “Mátenme Porque Me Muero,” Caifanes was highlighted this year in the top 10 of Billboard‘s 50 Best Latin Rock Bands of All Time, ranking at No. 7.

In 2010, Marcovich was diagnosed with a brain tumor, for which he underwent surgery. In 2022, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.


Former Caifanes Guitarist Alejandro Marcovich in a Coma Following a Stroke, His Family Reports

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.

Lenny Tavárez Celebrates Birthday With East Harlem Students 

Lenny Tavárez marked his birthday in New York City by launching his Dale Ritmo Community Outreach initiative with a dance class in East Harlem. In collaboration with Platoon — and alongside his wife, dancer Natasha Nazario — the Puerto Rican star introduced the program on Tuesday (May 20) through Ballroom Basix at the James Weldon Johnson School, where they led an interactive salsa workshop for students ages 9 to 11.

“Dale Ritmo was created to share our culture, music, and joy with the younger generations,” Tavárez tells Billboard Español. “Seeing these students dance, learn and connect with their roots is the best birthday gift I could have received.” During the session, students took part in salsa and social dance activities focused on rhythm, coordination and teamwork — bringing Latin culture directly into a classroom setting and creating a hands-on experience centered on art, movement and community. See the video below.

Shakira Taps Uganda’s Ghetto Kids for World Cup Final

The Colombian superstar gave Inspire Ghetto Kids Foundation an unforgettable global moment this week, inviting the child dance group to perform with her during the halftime show of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The invitation followed the group’s viral dance routine to “Dai Dai,” the official World Cup song by Shakira and Burna Boy.

The Uganda-based group, whose Instagram describes them as “An NGO with a mission of using music, dance & drama to help disadvantaged, street & orphaned children,” responded on Monday (May 18) stating that “this would be a dream come true for us and for Uganda and Africa!,” as captioned on the reel.

Then on Friday (May 22), Shakira shared a teaser showing her dancing with the kids while promoting the full “Dai Dai” video which will release Saturday (May 23) at 12pm ET. Watch the youth dancers’ IG post below accepting Shak’s invitation.

Rauw Alejandro Launches ‘La Tribuna del Fútbol’ in Puerto Rico

Soccer fans, rejoice! Rauw Alejandro is bringing World Cup fever to Puerto Rico with La Tribuna del Fútbol, a free fan experience running from June 11 to July 19 at Ecos Sport Puerto Rico. Announced Friday (May 22), the event is designed as a gathering place for fans across the island, with daily screenings of 2026 FIFA World Cup matches alongside live music, food, cultural activations and family-friendly programming.

Beyond the match screenings, La Tribuna del Fútbol will also feature the Rauw Cup 2026 in U16, U20 and adult divisions, as well as padel, beach tennis and beach volleyball tournaments. The programming also expands beyond sports with pilates, bachata and salsa sessions, exclusive watch parties — including the Xander Zayas vs. Jaron Ennis card — and an official merchandise store.

After teaming up for a new soccer jersey drop, Peso Pluma and adidas continue in the World Cup spirit, announcing an official watch party and performance for the tournament’s opening in June.

The iconic footwear and apparel brand partnered with the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee for its FIFA World Cup 26 activations set to take place June 11 at the city’s BMO Stadium. Starting at 11 a.m. PT, the event will host a watch party for the World Cup opening match between Mexico and South Africa followed by the adiCup, adidas’ nationwide 3v3 tournament, and culminating with a watch party for South Korea vs. Czechia at 7 p.m. PT.

BMO Stadium will then convert into a free celebration featuring a performance by Peso Pluma and a DJ set by Noodles. Free tickets for the show will be available as of June 1 on Ticketmaster. 

Courtesy Photo

The initiative is part of adidas FIFA World Cup 26 Home of Soccer Brand Hubs — located in New York City and Toronto — that will offer free fan destinations open to the public throughout the tournament that starts June 11 and wraps July 19. The World Cup NYNJ Host Committee will host performances from PinkPantheress and Larry June alongside watch parties at NYC’s Brooklyn Bridge Park. Adidas will also host events on select dates in Houston, Atlanta, Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. 

Earlier this month, the Música Mexicana star partnered with adidas to create a Mexico 26 away jersey for the football team’s 2026-27 season.

“This isn’t just about me — it’s for my people, my culture and everyone pushing Mexico forward,” Pluma said in a press statement. “I’m excited to join the adidas family and keep showing the world who we are.” 

For more information on the adidas Home of Soccer events, click here or visit the adidas App.

Latin music has hugely shaped the American musical landscape. From the lively rhythms of Celia Cruz and Johnny Pacheco’s joint album Celia & Johnny to Daddy Yankee’s reggaetón breakthrough “Gasolina,” this music represent the diverse and vibrant contributions of Latin artists to the American songbook.

Each year, the Library of Congress selects 25 recordings to the registry to preserve sound recordings that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” to American life. 

On Thursday (May 14), the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry immortalized two more Latin songs: José Feliciano‘s holiday favorite “Feliz Navidad” and Pérez Prado and His Orchestra’s festive “Mambo No. 5.” Last year, Vicente Fernández‘s ranchera anthem “El Rey” and Freddy Fender‘s bilingual country ballad “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” were selected. “For musicians of any genre, having a song inducted into the National Recording Registry is a prestigious honor,” Congressman Joaquin Castro previously told Billboard Español, who’s a major driving force for Latin music on the list.

Created under the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, the Registry has included more than twenty works of Latin music and/or musicians of Latin descent to date. The first Latin music release to be added to the Registry was Dance Mania (1958) by Tito Puente in 2002. Subsequent inductees include Santana’s electrifying Abraxas (1970), which redefined Mexican-American rock; Buena Vista Social Club’s eponymous album (1997), bringing Cuban son to American audiences; Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” (1957), which reinvented a son jarocho song from Veracruz, Mexico by injecting American rock into it.

“In addition to advocating for more Latino inclusion in American media — which, more than any other industry, shapes how Americans see the world around us — I would also push for more recognition of the ways that Latinos have contributed to American excellence,” Castro explained. 

“Latinos make up 20 percent of the United States, but less than five percent of the titles on the Registry come from Latino artists,” added the Mexican American politician from San Antonio. “As a result, the Registry became a natural place to direct my work – in part because the Library of Congress has tried in recent years to do a better job of honoring how Latinos and other racial minorities have shaped America’s growth.”

Below, we present the Latin music entries, arranged from the most recent inductions to the earliest.

Reggaetón icon Don Omar will kick off his The Last King World Tour on Sept. 25, Billboard can officially announce.

The tour will hit 21 cities (to date), beginning Sept. 25 at Santander Arena in Reading, Pa. it will then travel to arenas in Boston, Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, among others.

The tour, produced by Don Omar (real name William Omar Landrón) and promoted in the U.S. by Cardenas Marketing Network (CMN), comes two decades after the release of Don Omar’s seminal sophomore album, King of Kings. The set was groundbreaking in its day for including collaborations with both Latin and mainstream artists. The album reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart, and spent 11 weeks on the top spot. It also reached No. 7 on the Billboard 200 (for the week dated June 6, 2006), a massive achievement in the pre-streaming era. It would spend a total of 30 weeks on the chart.

Don Omar’s The Last King World Tour follows his 2024 Back to Reggaetón Tour, which was his first outing in over a decade. That tour would eventually sell more than 335,000 tickets in 2024 alone, earning more than $32.9 million over 39 shows and ending 2024 ranked 10th among Billboard’s top Latin tours of the year. Back to Reggaetón was also promoted by CMN.

Presale for The Last King World Tour begins Tuesday, May 19 at 10 a.m. local time for members of the Kingdom fan club and ends May 22. A CMN presale begins May 21. General public tickets go on sale May 22 at 10 a.m. local time.  

Here is the full list of dates:

9.25.26 – Reading, PA – Santander Arena

9.26.26 – Boston, MA – TD Garden

9.27.26 – Hartford, CT – PeoplesBank Arena

10.1.26 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center

10.3.26 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center

10.4.26 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center

10.8.26 – Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena

10.10.26 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center

10.11.26 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center

10.14.26 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center

10.15.26 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena

10.17.26 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena

10.22.26 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center

10.23.26 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center

10.25.26 – El Paso, TX – UTEP Don Haskins Center

10.29.26 – Ontario, CA – Toyota Arena

10.30.26 – Las Vegas, NV – Michelob Ultra Arena

11.1.26 – Salt Lake City, UT – Delta Center

11.5.26 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center

11.6.26 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum

11.8.26 – Phoenix, AZ – Mortgage Matchup Center


Former Caifanes Guitarist Alejandro Marcovich in a Coma Following a Stroke, His Family Reports

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.

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Silvestre Dangond joings Latin Grammy In The Schools

Vallenato star Silvestre Dangond joined Latin Grammy In The Schools” on Thursday (May 14) in Bogota, Colombia, in a program that included the donation of musical instruments to two local schools — Colegio Enrique Olaya Herrera and Fundación Sendero de Acordeones de Riohacha. Students also participated in a meet-and-greet and conversation with Dangond and accordionist José Juan Camilo. Previously, the Latin Grammy-winning singer-songwriter sponsored two Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation research and preservation grants, aimed at supporting the folkloric music genre from Colombia.

“I am so proud to be able to support emerging young talent, especially in a country like Colombia, where music is a fundamental part of our identity,” Dangond said in a press release. “I see myself reflected in these students — in their dreams, in their passion — and I hope this experience reminds them that, with dedication and a love for music, anything is possible.”

Singer Silvestre Dangond poses for a picture with the students of the school Enrique Olaya Herrera during the Latin GRAMMY In The Schools at Estadio Nemesio Camacho El Campin, on May 14, 2026 in Bogota, Colombia.

Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy


Ed Sheeran Brings Out Daddy Yankee as Surprise Guest at the Choli

British superstar Ed Sheeran surprised his Puerto Rican fans on Wednesday (May 13) during his concert at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan — part of his Loop Tour — by bringing out a hometown hero: the king of reggaetón, Daddy Yankee.

“The moment caught the thousands of attendees by surprise when Daddy Yankee stepped onto the stage to perform ‘Sonríele’ and his collaboration with Bizarrap, ‘BZRP Music Session Vol. /66,’ while Sheeran accompanied him on guitar,” reported El Vocero de Puerto Rico. “The appearance of the ‘Gasolina’ hitmaker elicited immediate cheers and applause from the crowd, who reacted with raised phones and loud singing throughout the collaboration.”

According to the outlet, the performance marked Daddy Yankee’s return to the Coliseo since his farewell concerts held in December 2023.

Watch the thrilling moment here.

Daddy Yankee appears as special guest during Ed Sheeran's concert in San Juan, Puerto Rico on May 13, 2026.

Mark Surridge

Danny Ocean performs “Me Rehúso” during Jonas Brothers’ show

Also this week, Danny Ocean made a surprise appearance during the Jonas Brothers’ May 10 concert at the Movistar Arena in Santiago, Chile. The Venezuelan artist joined the famous trio on stage to perform his 2016 hit “Me Rehúso,” driving the crowd wild. During the performance, Joe Jonas was particularly animated, singing and dancing along as Danny performed, as shown in this video shared by VOX FM.

“Thank you sooo so much guys! @jonasbrothers ❤️ Chile, I love you so much! 🇨🇱✨💕 Thanks for all the love!” Ocean wrote in his own post, alongside a photo posing with the three brothers.

The performance came just two days after the Venezuelan star was announced as part of the lineup for the inaugural show of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Mexico on June 11.

Rauw Alejandro reunites with his childhood soccer coach

Rauw Alejandro got reunited with his childhood soccer coach, Andres Mirabelli, at an event in the Red Bull New York Performance Center. The Puerto Rican superstar, who maintains a global partnership with the brand, visited the pitch accompanied by his mentor and youth talents from Puerto Rico, as well as Iván Rivera Gutiérrez, President of the Puerto Rico Soccer Federation.

According to a press release, Rauw visited the RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center in Morris Township, N.J. ahead of the Red Bull New York match against the Columbus Crew. He was joined by U17 Red Bull New York Academy player Marcus Nazaire — who also represents the Puerto Rico U17 National team — and toured the complex, receiving custom Red Bull New York jerseys and cleats, courtesy of Adidas, with “RA93” personalization.

“The visit celebrated Rauw’s longstanding connection to soccer and brought together sport and Latino culture ahead of the 2026 World Cup celebrations,” says the release.

Check out the special moment below and see more photos here.

Rauw Alejandro and his childhood soccer coach, Andres Mirabelli.

Major League Soccer / Red Bull

Piso 21 enters Spotify’s Billions Club with “Te Vi”

Piso 21 has entered Spotify’s “Billions Club” for the second time with “Te Vi,” their 2018 collaboration with Micro TDH, which officially surpassed 1 billion streams on the platform this week. Previously, the Colombian pop-urban group had achieved this milestone in May 2025, when they joined the exclusive club with their hit “Déjala Que Vuelva” with Manuel Turizo.

“We’re so happy with our second song in the Billions Club. It’s a testament from the people motivating us to keep making music,” said Pablo Mejía, lead vocalist of Piso 21, to *Billboard Español.* “The truth is, when you make songs that stand the test of time, that’s what we live for. We make songs for that — not to be a trend but to last forever — and we feel very fortunate to achieve that.”

“We are absolutely thrilled to have a second song in the Billions Club. It’s a vote of confidence from the fans that motivates us to keep making music,” Pablo Mejía, lead vocalist of Piso 21, told Billboard Español. “The truth is, making songs that last forever is what we live for. That is why we create music — so that it isn’t just a passing trend, but something that endures forever — and we feel incredibly fortunate to have achieved that.”

Meanwhile, Venezuelan artist Micro TDH celebrated the news with a heartfelt Instagram post. “I always dreamed of achieving this. Today, 8 years after this song, we’ve finally entered Venezuela’s One Billion Club. Thank you @piso21, I love you so much, my brothers. Thanks for believing. And to everyone who has listened to ‘Te Vi,’ ONE BILLION THANK YOU’S,” he wrote, alongside a photo of himself as a child holding a sign saying, “From Mérida to the World.”

Listen to “Te Vi” below:

This week, Billboard’s New Music Latin poll — curated with key recommendations by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors — features a number of new albums, including Maluma’s Loco X Volver, Julieta Venegas’ Norteña, Gera MX’s X Amor Al Arte, Adriel Favela’s COBRA, and many more.

Notably, Sech dropped his sixth studio album called SECHO GANG. In contrast to his 2024 Tranki, Todo Pasa, where he opened up about some personal struggles and challenges, the new set demonstrates a healed man who’s ready to continue eating the world. On the 13-track set, the Panamania artist collaborates with Ryan Castro, Jay Wheeler, and Kris R., to name a few.

“This album is really special to me because it’s for my day one fans, the ones who have been there from the start,” he said in a press statement. “I put a lot of love into every song, and I’m excited for everyone to finally experience it. Secho Gang for life.”

Artists such as Becky G, Mon Laferte, and Lenny Tavárez, also released new music this week.

The most recent New Music Latin poll was topped by Sebastian Yatra and Augusto Alonso’s “Lo Que Me Pasa Con Vos” with more than 98% of the vote. Which release this week do you think is best? Give these new releases a spin and vote for your favorite new Latin music release below.

Editor’s Note: The results of the weekly New Music Latin poll will be posted if the poll generates more than 1,000 votes. This poll closes at 11 a.m. ET on Monday, May 18.

The official FIFA 2026 World Cup song—helmed by Colombian superstar Shakira and Nigerian sensation Burna Boy—has arrived on Thursday (May 14). 

Coined “Dai Dai,” the nearly four-minute track seamlessly blends both musical worlds, bringing to life a catchy tune powered by Afrobeats, dance-pop, world beats and reggaetón. 

Lyrically, the song keeps true to the spirit of soccer, sending a motivational and uplifting message to athletes and fans alike. “You knew from the day you were born/ That here in this place you belong/ You’ve been this brave all along/ What broke you once, made you strong,” Shak sings at top of the track. 

“Go follow your desire/ Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” chants Burna. The pair then shouts out some of the legends of the sport, including Maradona, Maldini, Romário, Cristiano Ronaldo, Beckham, Kaká and Messi, as well as this year’s participating countries like Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, United States and Netherlands. 

“Dai Dai” marks the second time Shakira has been tapped for an official FIFA World Cup song following the timeless “Waka, Waka (This Time for Africa)” recorded for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

“Waka Waka” peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs, Latin Airplay and Latin Pop Airplay charts in July 2010. On the Latin Rhythm Airplay, it peaked No. 8 and reached a No. 38 high on the Billboard Hot 100 during the same period. It also spent 42 weeks at No. 1 on Latin Digital Song Sales, Shak’s longest-leading title on that chart. 

The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and will wrap July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which has been renamed the New York New Jersey Stadium for the games. Shakira will co-headline the halftime show at the World Cup final with Madonna and BTS

Listen to “Dai Dai” below.

Aitana brought together nearly 18,000 people on Saturday (May 9) at the Municipal Stadium Antonio Peroles in Almería, Spain, where she kicked off her Cuarto Azul World Tour.

The show began with the singer performing “6 de Febrero” from the intimacy of a bedroom — lying on a white bed atop a two-level structure set up in the center of the stage, with her musicians positioned below. The stage design, built as an open house with stairs, platforms and different rooms, changed colors and atmospheres as the show progressed, accompanied by giant screens and lighting effects.

Dressed in a custom nude look designed by Devol Studio and personalized boots by Hispanitas, Aitana moved between the more intimate moments of her repertoire and more energetic ones. The setlist focused primarily on her most recent album, Cuarto Azul (2025), although she also revisited songs from earlier stages of her career, like “Mon Amour,” “Vas a Quedarte” and “Gran Vía.”

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After performing “No Te Has Ido y Ya Te Extraño,” the Spanish star paused for the first time to greet the audience. “Welcome to our little piece of Cuarto Azul,” said the singer before hinting that the show would also include “little reminders” of previous albums and where she comes from.

Songs like “Miamor” and “Las Babys” elicited an immediate response from the audience, who sang practically every word from the front row to the stands. During “Miamor,” the fans sang most of the first verse on their own, while “Con Los Ángeles” ended up being one of the most celebrated moments of the night.

The concert also allowed for more spontaneous moments. Aitana read signs, received gifts from fans and spoke several times about the emotional connection she has with her latest album. Before performing “Desde Que Ya No Hablamos,” she explained that she didn’t want to leave out a song that represents “the darkest part” of the set, even though it’s not one of the fans’ favorites. “Many of the songs were written while I was in Miami and feeling very sad,” she recalled during one of the most intimate moments.

The finale arrived with “Superestrella,” one of her biggest recent hits, which reached No. 8 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Pop Songs chart and No. 2 on Spain Songs.

With the Cuarto Azul World Tour, Aitana will spend the next few months touring Spain before heading to Latin America in October for a series of dates in Colombia, Chile, Argentina and Mexico. In the U.S., she has performances scheduled in November, including in New York and Miami. In early 2027, she’ll continue the trek across Europe. For dates and details, click here.

Check out the full list of songs Aitana performed during the kickoff show of the Cuarto Azul World Tour below:

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.

CUNY Celebrates Mexican-American Graduates with Peso Pluma as Guest Speaker

The City University of New York (CUNY) held its first-ever systemwide Mexican-American graduation ceremony on Saturday (May 2) at the Lehman College Center for the Performing Arts in the Bronx, with special guest and class padrino Peso Pluma. Organized by the CUNY Mexican Studies Institute with student input and led by Dr. Lizbeth de la Cruz Santana, assistant professor of Black and Latino Studies, the event celebrated the achievements and cultural identity of nearly 200 graduates from 14 CUNY institutions.

“This graduation marked a historic milestone as the first CUNY-wide commencement dedicated to honoring Mexican-American students and their families,” Dr. De La Cruz Santana tells Billboard Español. “Inviting Peso Pluma reflected a broader effort to celebrate the contributions of Mexican and Mexican-American communities across New York City and the United States.”

Dr. De La Cruz Santana also underscored the event’s grounding in the struggle for educational equity: “For decades, Mexican-American students faced segregation and unequal schooling in states like California, Texas, and Arizona. Landmark moments like Mendez v. Westminster and the East Los Angeles Walkouts demanded access, dignity, and representation.”

The Mexican superstar’s surprise appearance moved students and their families. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw him walk out!,” shared graduate Rachelle Campos-Suarez. “To witness such a historic moment for our community, our culture, and future generations was very emotional and unforgettable.”

“This celebration did not only honor the graduates but our parents and many others that helped and accompanied us along the way,” added alumni and student organizer Michelle Cruz. “It is also serves as a statement for spaces like the higher education systems that says ‘We belong here too.’”

Peso Pluma speaks at City University of New York on Saturday (May 2). Photo credit: Daniela López Amézquita / CUNY MSI

Venezuelan Singer Opens His Own Art Exhibition in Venice

Venezuelan multidisciplinary artist Eduardo Galán — featured as a musician in our On the Radar Latin column in October 2022 — reached a new milestone this week, this time as a visual artist, by inaugurating his own art exhibition in Venice, Italy. Titled The Circle of Love, the show opened its doors on May 6 at the Kokonton Gallery, coinciding with the preview of the 61st Venice Art Biennale.

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“This body of work explores the relationship between time, transformation, and that which endures. Through materials such as cement, Japanese paper, and 24k gold, I sought to create works that feel both fragile and eternal at the same time — deeply inspired by the textures, scars, and beauty of Venice,” Galán tells Billboard Español. “For me, this exhibition represents something deeply personal: the moment when music, painting, and life finally began to speak the same language.”

The show will remain open until May 24. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Eduardo Galán

Eduardo Galán

Andrea Pattaro

Puerto Rico’s Coca-Cola Music Hall Goes Phone-Free, Letting Fans Unplug

Coca-Cola Music Hall made history as the first venue in Puerto Rico to implement a phone-free system during comedian Marcello Hernández’s performance last month. The concept allows guests to fully immerse themselves in the live experience by eliminating cell phone usage in the main hall. The system was utilized again on Friday (May 8) for actor and comedian Chris Tucker’s show.

“This type of experience is designed to allow the audience to fully enjoy the show, keeping their attention on the stage and ensuring that the content is exclusively for those who purchased tickets to the event,” said Arleene Pérez, general manager of the Coca-Cola Music Hall, in a press release.

Attendees are required to secure their phones and smart devices in special locked pouches upon entry and can only access them in designated areas. Despite initial concerns, the rollout during Hernández’s show ran smoothly. “The audience quickly adapted to the system, and we had no issues,” added Pérez. “On the first night, the turnaround time for attendees to receive their phones was 16 minutes, and on the second night it was 13 minutes.”

Coca-Cola Music Hall goes phone-free in Puerto Rico.


Former Caifanes Guitarist Alejandro Marcovich in a Coma Following a Stroke, His Family Reports