Colombian Juanes, started his musical career at the very young age of just seven, upon his first guitar lesson. Following his talents in the musically field he then, impressively, still barely a young adult at 15, commenced his first band. They were named, "Ekhymosis", and formed in 1988. This was highly successful and Juanes embarked on a successful career with his band releasing five studio albums. Consequently, whilst still at a young age, this made him a highly recognisable artist in his home country of Colombia. However, unfortunately in 1997 the band broke up and Juanes made the decision to go solo.
This was a brave but wise decision, as the Latin star then went on to release his first solo album in the year 2000, of which he named, "Fijate Bien". Following the success of this album he went on to win three Latin Grammys. Juanes went on to have a successful career with many more album releases.
Fuethermore, Juanes second album, named, "Un Dia Normal", was excitingly certified platinum in numerous countries within his home base of Latin America. Additionally, his third album, named, "Mi Sangre", released in 2004, astoundingly developed into a global hit.
And Juanes talents do not stop there! Juanes campaigns for peace and in 2009 played the "Peace Without Borders" concert in Havana's Plaza de la Revolución. That same year he was also awarded an honorary National Prize for Peace in the country of his birth for his humanitarian work. Then in 2011 he was awarded the Chile Telethon Foundation for the Medal of Solidarity during the final drive of the Chilean solidarity campaign for disabled children.
I do not speak or understand Spanish, but my friend does, so she had suggested we go to his live show. Since I’m a fan of pretty much any live show I had agreed to go. I honestly cannot tell anything about what songs he performed, what he said in between songs, or even if he got the lyrics correct; but I can say that me being at this show is a testament to music being a language of its own.
Juanes, whose full name is Juan Esteban Aristizabal Vasquez, commanded the center stage with his guitar and vocal ability. In the background you had a full live band complete with a brass section. Live brass almost always makes a huge impact on a live show, and this show was not any different. The energy that the stage emitted fed into the crowd, who, throughout the entire show, was dancing and singing along, which was fed right back to the performers. And despite not knowing anything he was singing about, I found myself dancing along with my friend. Going to see Juanes live was probably the most random fun I had ever been dragged to by my best friend, in probably ever.