Greater than two million folks have attended a free Girl Gaga live performance on Copacabana seaside in Rio de Janeiro, metropolis officers say.
The pop star’s largest ever live performance was paid for by town in an try and revitalise Rio’s economic system. They count on it might herald $100m (£75m) to the native economic system.
Saturday’s efficiency was a part of a promotional tour for Girl Gaga’s eighth album, Mayhem, whose songs embrace Abracadabra and Die With a Smile. She final carried out in Brazil in 2012.
Some followers – referred to as Gaga’s “Little Monsters” – started queuing early within the morning and waited in lengthy traces to realize entry to the seaside.
An enormous safety operation was in place, with 5,000 law enforcement officials on responsibility and attendees having to cross by way of metallic detectors. The authorities additionally used drones and facial recognition cameras to assist police the occasion.
Girl Gaga isn’t the primary particular person to play a free live performance in Rio. Madonna gave a live performance on Copacabana seaside in Might 2024, which was additionally paid for by town.
“You waited for me, you waited for greater than 10 years for me,” an emotional Girl Gaga advised the crowds as she unfurled a Brazilian flag.
“Brazil, I am prepared. I’ll give it my all.”
The pop star appeared in Brazil-themed costumes for a few of her acts, with outfits impressed by the nationwide soccer crew.
Hundreds sang alongside along with her finest identified hits together with Alejandro, Poker Face and Abracadabra, creating an electrical environment as many waved rainbow-themed followers and watched on large screens alongside the seaside.
Followers travelled from all throughout the nation to see the grandiose efficiency.
One man, 28-year-old Luan Messias, mentioned he spent all night time on a bus from Itanhaem in neighbouring Sao Paulo state.
Alisha Duarte, 22, advised AFP information company she began queuing at 0740 within the morning. “Girl Gaga is price it! It will get tremendous crowded, however we’ll survive,” she mentioned.
One other fan, Paulo Oliveira, defined why folks have been so excited in regards to the live performance. She “tells us that we will be who we’re, that we will be completely different and that being completely different is cool,” he advised Reuters.
It will be an “unforgettable present”, live performance attendee Lai Borges advised Reuters on her method in. “It will be emotional and I’ll cry lots,” she mentioned.
Because the occasion drew to a detailed, Girl Gaga advised the viewers – in a reference to the nickname for Girl Gaga followers – “we’re monsters and monsters by no means die,” and he or she introduced the live performance to a detailed with Dangerous Romance, maybe her most well-known music.