Further solidifying her status as a global phenomenon, on Saturday (5.02,) Shakira performed in front of 2,000,000 fans at Rio de Janeiro’s historic Copacabana Beach.
Titled Todo Mundo No Rio, the free concert marked the Grammy-winning artist’s return to Brazil which now stands as one of the highest-attended musical events in history. Beyond its cultural impact, the event generated a projected $800,000,000 in economic benefits for the local region, including a massive 123% increase in travel bookings.
Marking the largest aerial show ever staged for a live concert audience, the evening concert began with a groundbreaking visual display as Studio Drift launched 1,500 drones into the sky, after which Shakira took the stage in the first of four bespoke Etro looks, including a silk fly suit embellished with Swarovski crystals in the vibrant yellow and green of the Brazilian flag. Performing career-spanning hits like ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ and ‘La Bicicleta,’ throughout her show, the Columbian artist addressed the massive audience in Portuguese.
Paying homage to Brazilian musical heritage, Shakira welcomed a star-studded lineup of special guests, including Anitta for the live debut of their ‘Choka Choka,’ a collaboration with legends Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia Veloso, and a high-energy rendition of ‘País Tropical’ alongside Ivete Sangalo. The show reached a fever pitch during ‘Waka Waka,’ accompanied by the Mare Dance group.
The 49-year old’s Brazilian show follows a streak of success as Shakira drew 400,000 fans to a free show in Mexico City’s Zócalo after a record-setting 13-show run at Estadio GNP Seguros, and with her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour officially crowned as the highest-grossing Hispanic tour of all time, the iconic songstress continues to redefine the limits of live performance.
Fans can look forward to upcoming intimate arena dates in the U.S. and an ambitious 11-night stadium residency in Madrid later this year.
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Author: Al Dente
Photo: oouinouin from Nanterre, France