Shakira gathers 2 million fans at free Rio de Janeiro concert

International Latin pop star Shakira drew 2 million viewers to a free concert on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach last Saturday, May 2, according to the city’s mayor, Eduardo Cavaliere. The iconic waterfront venue has also hosted the likes of Madonna and Lady Gaga in recent years, but Shakira’s crowd was a record one for a Latin artist at the venue. Rod Stewart, who held a New Year’s Eve concert on Copacabana in 1995, still holds the all-time high at a draw of 3.5 million.

Shakira’s concert was part of her ongoing Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, a 30-song set with the help of Brazilian starlet Anitta, “Queen of Brazilian Music” Maria Bethania, and Brazilian musical legend Caetano Veloso. The singer began her set an hour late at 11 p.m. “I arrived here when I was 18 years old, dreaming about singing for you,” Shakira, now 49, told a rapt audience. “And now look at this. Life is magical.” 

Skywriting drones wrote “I love you Brazil” in Portuguese above Shakira, who built a following in Brazil when she was an up-and-comer in the Nineties, thanks to her native Colombia’s close relationship with the country. The singer launched into several fan-favorite hits, from “Hips Don’t Lie” to “She Wolf” to “Waka Waka.” She sang “Choka Choka” with Anitta and dusted off older acoustic tunes with Veloso and Bethania. The performance went off without a hitch, though its run-up was marred by the tragic death of a crew member while assembling the show’s behemoth stage.

Despite being free, the tourism surrounding Shakira’s performance was expected to generate over $150 million in revenue for Rio de Janeiro, according to the city’s government. The free concerts have become annual events in recent years as part of Rio’s efforts to boost its tourism economy before Saint John’s Day celebrations in June.

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