Spanish singer Juan Peña has launched Aura, an innovative stage show fusing flamenco with techno and electronic music, ahead of upcoming concert dates in Boadilla del Monte and Leganés.
The Jerez-born artist, who has performed on stages worldwide for more than 25 years, is stepping away from traditional flamenco for his latest project. Peña aims to attract a younger audience with the new format while continuing to draw three different generations to his live performances.
The ambitious production features DJ Manuel Dos Santos sharing the booth with Peña, alongside two dancers and live musicians. The stage presentation includes costumes embellished with Swarovski crystals and musical instruments equipped with LED lights.
Peña will perform Aura on stage at Boadilla del Monte on 4 October, followed by an appearance at the Recinto Ferial in Leganés on Friday 9 October. Both municipalities are located near the Spanish capital in the Community of Madrid.
Ibiza inspiration and DJ ambitions
The concept for Aura developed after Peña spent the previous summer on the Mediterranean island of Ibiza, a global capital for electronic dance music. Upon returning from the island, the singer spent an entire year training as a DJ to reinvent himself and step outside his comfort zone.
Peña explained that he was delighted with the impressive initial reception of the show and hoped to perform as a DJ on Ibiza next year. He expressed ambitions to share the DJ booth with French producer David Guetta at the open-air venue Ushuaïa, play alongside South African artist Black Coffee at Hï Ibiza, and perform at the cabaret venue Lío, where he noted his music fits well after dinner service.
To fund the new production from scratch, Peña remortgaged a small apartment he owns. Describing himself as a fighter from a humble family who achieved everything through sacrifice, he stated that he is currently performing frequently and reinvesting all of his earnings back into the new project.
Discovery and career beginnings
Born in 1980 in Jerez de la Frontera, a city in southern Spain's Andalusia region renowned for its flamenco heritage, Peña grew up on a cobblestone street that was not even paved when he was born. He noted that his father was not a singer and that he was neither the son nor brother of anyone famous in the industry.
His professional breakthrough came during the annual Rocío pilgrimage in Andalusia, where music manager Amador Mohedano heard him singing at a party. Impressed by the young artist's vocal talent, Mohedano asked who the boy was and offered to record his first demo tape.
That demo reached Spanish businessman Pepe Barroso, securing Peña his first recording contract with Sony Music. Since then, Peña explained that he had to earn a living and maintain his career independently, adding that while he was never a Cristiano Ronaldo playing in the UEFA Champions League, he never played in third division either. Describing himself as a laborer of his profession who is always working with pick and shovel, he performs both at private events and on major stages like the Starlite music festival in Marbella.
High profile audiences and personal life
Although frequently referred to in Spanish media as the singer to the famous or jet set, Peña stated that the label does not dishonour him, but emphasized that he considers himself a singer of the people and performs for anyone who appreciates his music.
Among his most memorable career moments, Peña highlighted an exclusive private performance aboard a boat for Hollywood actors Adam Sandler, Denzel Washington and Kevin James. He also recalled performing at a birthday celebration for Infanta Margarita, the sister of former King Juan Carlos I of Spain, and singing before Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church.
Despite his public career, Peña considers his family and close friends to be fundamental parts of his life and works to keep them out of the media spotlight. Regarding his son, Peña revealed that the boy loves sports and aspires to become a professional footballer, adding that his only wish as a father is for his son to be happy and grow up to be a good person. Looking ahead to future musical collaborations, Peña named American singer and actress Jennifer Lopez as his dream partner.
