Authorities surmise that Madonna’s free concert in Copacabana Beach will boost Brazil’s economy with an estimated revenue of $57 million.
Anticipation and pulses of excitement hit hard at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as the city prepared itself for Madonna’s free concert, held on the eve of Saturday. Fans camped out and flocked to the beach as the undisputed queen of pop graced the venue with the culmination of her Celebration Tour, which launched last year.
However, this is more than a musical spectacle for Rio, as it became an opportune moment to reignite its economy. A report from Reuters said authorities estimated that the event could bring in a considerable revenue to the city, as fans from all over the country visited to bask in the magic of both Madonna and Copacabana’s beautiful shores.
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Historic free concert at Copacabana
The queen of pop’s official website announced her Celebration Tour in Rio on March 25. She chose Copacabana Beach as the setting of her concert.
“The celebration spanning four decades of music will culminate with a free event on May 4th as a thank you to her incredible fans from around the world,” said the website.
It further read that the event will be her biggest and unforgettable gig yet in one of the world’s most beautiful settings. This became Madonna’s first show in Brazil since 2012.
No tickets are required for the event but entrance is on a first come, first served basis.
Performing for millions
Madonna began her show with “Nothing Really Matters” as the crowd’s cheering and buzzing filled the air. ABC reported some people held house parties in lighted apartments and hotel rooms overlooking the beachfront. Helicopters and drones flew above, while boats anchored on the bay to watch.
The concert went on for more than two hours. The Celebration Tour includes most of the queen of pop’s greatest hits like “Hung Up,” “Like A Prayer,” “Express Yourself,” and “Like A Virgin.”
She also dedicated an emotional rendition of “Live to Tell” for “all the bright lights lost to AIDS.” Photos of people who died from the disease flashed behind as she sang endearingly.
Brazilian artists Anitta and Pabllo Vittar joined her onstage as her show went on for the rest of the night.
The Associated Press reported the event had an estimated headcount of 1.6 million attendees, citing Rio City Hall’s tourism agency. This exceeded Madonna’s record attendance of 130,000 at Parc des Sceaux, Paris in 1987.
How the concert benefits Brazil’s economy
More than 3,000 police officers were deployed at the venue with 18 sound towers installed so everyone could hear Madonna sing.
Reuters mentioned firefighters sprayed water before the concert to cool the grounds near the stage. Authorities stepped up their vigilance over heat-related crises and also distributed water for free due to a Brazilian fan who died at an Eras Tour concert in the city last year due to heat exhaustion.
Rio’s state and city governments said they spent R$20 million (reais) or $3.9 million on the concert with private sponsors helping for the rest of their needs. Authorities gauged that Madonna’s free concert could bring R$293 million or $57 million to Rio’s economy.
“Here we are in the most beautiful place in the world,” the queen of pop addressed the crowd while she pointed at the ocean, mountains, and the Christ the Redeemer statue. “This place is magic.”
Banner photo via Instagram @madonna.
