Madonna attracts 1.6 million to free concert at Brazil's Copacabana beach
More than a million people thronged Brazil's Copacabana beach for a free Madonna concert on Saturday (May 4), braving the heat to see the end of her "Celebration" world tour. The sand and oceanfront boulevard around Rio de Janeiro's famed beach were filled for several blocks by a crowd the city estimated at 1.6 million.
Madonna's "Celebration" tour concluded with a free concert on Brazil's Copacabana beach, drawing over 1.6 million fans despite scorching temperatures. The event featured rigorous security measures, including 3,000 police officers, with authorities investing 20 million reais in anticipation of a substantial economic impact.
Many had been there for hours or even days to get a good spot, while richer fans anchored in dozens of boats near the beach and onlookers crowded beachfront apartments.
Firefighters sprayed water before the concert, when temperatures exceeded 30 degrees Celsius, to cool fans gathered near the pop queen's stage, and drinking water was distributed for free. Temperatures were around 27 C during the late-night show.
Brazilian pop artists Anitta and Pabllo Vittar and younger musicians from samba schools participated in the show.
More than 3,000 police officers were deployed around the concert area, where the Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart have also drawn million-strong crowds. The authorities used a crowd-management strategy similar to their handling of the city's famous New Year's Eve celebrations.
Brazilian authorities have stepped up their vigilance over heat-related health problems after a young Brazilian fan died at a concert by Taylor Swift last year due to heat exhaustion.
Rio's state and city governments said they spent 20 million reais (US$3.9 million) on the concert, while private sponsors financed the rest. The authorities estimate the concert could bring about 300 million reais to Rio's economy.
Source: cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com
