A complimentary Madonna show draws 1.6 million spectators to Brazil's Copacabana shore.
Over a million people flocked to Brazil's Copacabana beach for a free Madonna performance during her "Celebration" tour finale on the weekend. People braved the scorching heat to catch a glimpse of the iconic singer.
The area around Rio de Janeiro's iconic beach was packed with around 1.6 million people, according to the city's estimates. Some enthusiastic fans had been there for hours or even days to secure a prime spot near the stage, while wealthier spectators anchored their boats nearby, and spectators gathered in beachfront apartments for a perfect view of the show.
Prior to the concert, firefighters sprayed water to cool off fans as the heat reached 86°F (30°C). During the four-hour-long show, temperatures remained comfortable at around 81°F (27°C). Free water was available for the fans to fend off the heat.
Madonna, 65, performed popular songs like "Like a Prayer," "Vogue," and "Express Yourself," among others, for more than two hours, starting at 10:45 PM. After months of touring, this final event marked the end of her greatest hits concert that began at the end of 2021.
Addressing the crowd from the stage, Madonna said, "Rio, here we are, in the most beautiful place on earth, with the ocean, the mountains, and Jesus." She was referencing Rio's famous Christ the Redeemer statue, located atop a mountain. "It's magical," she added.
Brazilian pop artists Anitta and Pabllo Vittar, as well as younger musicians from samba schools, joined the star-studded show.
Over 3,000 police officers were present at the event, an area where million-strong crowds have gathered for other iconic performers like the Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart. The crowd management strategy was similar to that used during Rio's New Year's Eve celebrations.
The Brazilian authorities have recently intensified their efforts to address potential heat-related health concerns, following the tragic death of a fan during Taylor Swift's concert last year due to heat exhaustion.
Rio's state and city governments spent approximately 20 million reais (around $3.9 million) on the event, with the remainder covered by private sponsors. The organizers speculate the show could generate a whopping 300 million reais (around $57.3 million) for Rio's economy.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
