Over a million individuals gathered at Brazil’s Copacabana beach on Saturday to attend a complimentary Madonna concert, enduring the heat to catch the finale of her “Celebration” world tour.
The sandy expanse and ocean-facing promenade surrounding Rio de Janeiro’s iconic beach were teeming with a multitude estimated by the city at 1.6 million.
Many had staked out their spots hours or even days in advance, while more affluent spectators moored their vessels near the shore, and observers filled beachside apartments.
Firefighters sprayed mist to cool the fervent crowd near the stage of the renowned pop queen, as temperatures soared to over 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) before the concert. Complimentary drinking water was distributed to attendees, with temperatures hovering around 81 F (27 C) during the nocturnal performance.
Madonna, aged 65, delivered a sensational performance lasting over two hours, featuring hits like “Like a Prayer,” “Vogue,” and “Express Yourself,” wrapping up her greatest hits tour that commenced late last year.
Addressing the crowd, Madonna exclaimed, “Rio, here we are, in the most beautiful place in the world, with the ocean, the mountains, Jesus,” referring to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue atop the city’s mountaintop. She described the atmosphere as “Magic.”
The concert also featured Brazilian pop sensations Anitta and Pabllo Vittar, alongside emerging talents from samba schools.
To ensure safety, more than 3,000 police officers were deployed around the concert venue, employing crowd-management techniques similar to those used during Rio’s renowned New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Following a tragic incident at a Taylor Swift concert last year, where a young Brazilian fan succumbed to heat exhaustion, Brazilian authorities heightened their focus on preventing heat-related health issues.
The concert’s cost totaled 20 million reais ($3.9 million), with contributions from both state and city governments as well as private sponsors. Officials anticipate the event could inject approximately 300 million reais into Rio’s economy.
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