Shakira performed in front of an estimated two million people during a free concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro.
The event took place late on Saturday evening and attracted one of the largest crowds seen at a live music performance in Brazil.
Massive turnout on Copacabana Beach
The concert began at around 11pm, with large crowds gathering along the beachfront. Drones flew above the audience and displayed messages in Portuguese, including “I love you Brazil”.
The performance formed part of Shakira’s “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” world tour, named after her 2024 album.
The show followed similar large-scale events in Rio, including performances by Lady Gaga and Madonna, which also drew significant crowds.
Performance and audience reaction
During the concert, Shakira spoke about her first visit to Brazil, which took place around 30 years ago when she was starting her career.
She performed several of her well-known songs, including “Hips Don’t Lie”, “La Tortura”, and “La Bicicleta”. She ended the show with “BZRP Music Sessions”.
Shakira also shared a message about resilience during the performance, reflecting on personal experiences.
Economic impact and city plans
Rio officials said the event formed part of a wider effort to boost tourism and economic activity. The concert took place between major seasonal events, including Carnival and upcoming June celebrations.
According to city estimates, the show could generate around 777 million reais in economic activity.
Eduardo Cavaliere said the event would bring significant financial returns and support local businesses.
Travel platforms have also reported increased demand. For example, Airbnb noted a rise in visitors from across Latin America and Europe.
Many fans travelled long distances to attend the concert. Some visitors arrived from other parts of the country and planned short stays around the event.
The large turnout highlights the continued global appeal of live music events and their role in attracting tourism to major cities.
