Shakira thrills crowd of two million with free concert in Brazil | Bromsgrove Advertiser
Colombian superstar Shakira gave a free concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, an event that the city’s mayor said drew two million people.
The performance followed similar shows by Madonna in 2024 and Lady Gaga last year, which were also attended by huge crowds that danced on the sprawling sands.
For Shakira, it was part of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, or Women No Longer Cry, world tour named after her 2024 album.
Shakira’s set kicked off around 11pm on Saturday night, more than an hour after the scheduled slot, to her fans screaming with excitement and frantic applause as skywriting drones flew overhead, spelling out in the sky “I love you Brazil” in Portuguese.
The megastar spoke fondly about the first time she came to Brazil, some three decades ago.
“I arrived here when I was 18-years-old, dreaming about singing for you,” Shakira told the crowd shortly after coming on stage.
“And now look at this. Life is magical.”
The much-loved pop star sang fan favourites such as Hips Don’t Lie, La Tortura and La Bicicleta.
She ended with BZRP Music Sessions #53/66, which followed her separation from Spanish soccer player Gerard Pique.
She also took the time to celebrate women’s resilience during the show.
“Us women, every time we fall we get up a little wiser,” she said.
Rio Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere said on X that two million people attended the performance.
“The She-Wolf made history in Rio,” he posted, referring to Shakira’s 2009 hit.
Crowds started piling onto the beach on Saturday morning to nab a good spot for the show.
Street vendors sold sweet corn and other Brazilian snacks, bottled water and caipirinhas, the popular Brazilian cocktail, but also toilet paper, deodorant and even bags of sand for concertgoers to stand on to get a better view of the stage set up opposite Copacabana Palace, a historic luxury hotel.
The free concerts are part of City Hall’s attempt to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Year’s Eve festivities and before the month-long Saint John’s Day celebrations in June.
Shakira’s performance could generate around 777 million reais (around £114 million) according to a study by City Hall and Riotur, the municipality’s tourism company, thanks to the influx of tourists and cash spent in restaurants, hotels and shops.