Final evening, the legendary title “Waka Waka” resonated all through the seashore. Copacabana. Between hits and phrases of affection for the Brazilthe Colombian pop star Shakira made a human tide vibrate on Saturday night throughout a free mega-concert on the legendary seashore of Rio de Janeiro.
Two million folks gathered in entrance of the “wolf”
In response to the city corridor, two million folks responded to the decision of the “wolf”, nickname of the 49-year-old singer. Underneath the total moon, the silhouette of this animal fashioned by drones was outlined within the sky a couple of minutes earlier than the beginning of the present, to cheers and the click of followers. The general public exulted when, greater than an hour late, the star wearing a glowing jumpsuit within the colours of Brazil arrived on the monumental 1,345 m2 stage, arrange for the event in entrance of the legendary Copacabana Palace, the place she is housed.
“Brazil, I like you!” “It’s magical to assume that we’re right here, thousands and thousands of souls gathered collectively, able to sing, dance, transfer and remind the world what actually issues,” she mentioned. This assembly was inaugurated in 2024 by Madonnawhich attracted 1.6 million spectators, earlier than the two.1 million admirers gathered by Lady Gaga final 12 months, based on municipality figures.
A preferred and spectacular communion
Shakira carried out outfits like hits, from “Hips do not lie” to “La bicicleta” to “Waka Waka”, the official track of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. She was in a position to rely on distinguished visitors: Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethania, brother and sister and legends of Brazilian music, and the carioca pop star Anitta.
“Shakira does not want to suit right into a mould, she actually makes artwork, she does what she needs for love. She evokes me so much, she is a Latin girl on the prime,” Joao Pedro Yelin, a 26-year-old stylist from São Paulo. “She loves Brazil very a lot, and the love she has for us, we return it to her,” enthuses Graciele Vaz. This 43-year-old fan, who had a wolf tattooed on her again in honor of the artist, slept on the seashore after touring from the small coastal city of Paraty, a couple of hours from Rio.
An occasion that has change into a vacationer lever
Rio Metropolis Corridor is aiming for financial advantages of greater than 800 million reais (136 million euros). The institution of an annual mega-concert is a part of a profitable technique to spice up tourism: town welcomed 2.1 million overseas vacationers in 2025, a document.
The authorities had additional strengthened safety for this version, deploying some 8,000 brokers and drones. Final 12 months, the day after Woman Gaga’s present, the police introduced that that they had foiled a bomb assault instigated by a bunch that “disseminated hate speech”, significantly in opposition to the LGBT neighborhood.
