Shakira performed for a colossal crowd of two million people on Saturday night during a free concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. The Colombian superstar took the stage around 11pm, drawing an enormous audience eager to see her perform.
Tour and Reflections
The concert was part of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran - Women No Longer Cry - world tour, named after her 2024 album. During the show, Shakira reflected on her first visit to Brazil nearly three decades ago, saying: 'I arrived here when I was 18 years old, dreaming about singing for you. And now look at this. Life is magical.'
Setlist and Highlights
Shakira performed fan favourites including Hips Don't Lie, La Tortura, and La Bicicleta. She concluded her set with BZRP Music Sessions #53/66, a song released after her separation from Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué. Addressing the crowd, she declared: 'Us women, every time we fall we get up a little wiser.'
The pop star dazzled with several Brazil-themed outfit changes and waved a Brazilian flag as she walked the length of the stage. The performance ended with a spectacular fireworks display.
Economic Impact
Rio Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere wrote on X that two million people attended, declaring: 'The She-Wolf made history in Rio.' The free concert is part of City Hall's strategy to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Year's Eve, ahead of June's Saint John's Day celebrations. Cavaliere stated: 'For us, parties are serious business. Because parties generate jobs, income, development, and identity for the city.' He added that the investment would yield a financial return 40 times greater. According to a study by City Hall and Riotur, the performance was expected to generate around 777 million reais (approximately £114 million).
Tragedy Before the Show
The event was overshadowed by the death of a crew member who was helping assemble stage structures. Event organizers confirmed the accident via Instagram, stating: 'First responders provided initial care at the scene, and the fire department was immediately called. Unfortunately, the professional passed away at the hospital. We are offering our full support to the company responsible, its team, and the victim's family.' The state fire brigade reported that the victim suffered severe crushing injuries to his lower limbs after being trapped in a lifting system.
Comparison to Other Concerts
Shakira's concert follows similar free shows on Copacabana Beach by Lady Gaga in 2024, which drew 2.1 million fans, and Madonna in 2023, which attracted an estimated 1.6 million attendees.
Upcoming Tour Dates
After Rio, Shakira is scheduled to bring her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour to California's Intuit Dome in Inglewood on June 13. The tour has grossed over $421.6 million across 122 dates. Shakira, who launched her career at age 13 after signing with Sony Music Colombia, has sold over 125 million records worldwide and boasts 80.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
