Madonna transformed Rio’s Copacabana beach into a free mega-concert on Saturday night, attracting crowds of fans eager to see the pop legend.
The concert was the final stop of the 65-year-old artist’s Celebration Tour, marking her 40 years in music. It’s estimated that over 1.6 million fans attended the event, according to the BBC.
The surge of fans in Rio shattered the previous record for the largest Madonna concert, outdoing the humble 130,000 attendees at her 1987 Paris performance.
Hours before the iconic superstar made her entrance, throngs of fans were caught up in the rhythm, dancing to Madonna’s hits blaring from the stage speakers. Labeled “historic” by many, Madonna mesmerized the audience with her set and costume changes, along with stunning light shows.
The artist delivered an electrifying performance of her greatest hits, such as “Nothing Really Matters,” “Like a Prayer,” and “Vogue.”
At one point, the huge crowd synced up and took over singing “Like A Virgin.”
She was eventually accompanied on stage by the renowned Brazilian singer Pabllo Vittar.
Giant screens were strategically placed along the beach, allowing the predominantly Brazilian audience to witness the event’s developments. Spectators viewed from various vantage points, including apartments, hotels, and boats.
The neighborhood was alive with excitement for the upcoming concert, with T-shirts, souvenirs, and billboards featuring Madonna’s image everywhere.
Madonna’s Grand Finale in Rio Nearly Didn’t Happen
Originally scheduled to begin last summer, Madonna’s tour was postponed due to a medical emergency that nearly claimed her life.
The superstar was discovered unconscious in her New York apartment last June and was quickly taken to the hospital. There, she underwent treatment for a severe bacterial infection. Fortunately, she has recovered to her full strength and her tour has been highlighted by her signature energetic performances.
The concert in Rio served as the grand finale of a tour that spanned 80 shows across Europe and North America.
The tour was marked with headline-grabbing moments. Of course, this included a now infamous guest appearance from Ricky Martin. The “She Bangs” singer seemingly became aroused on stage when dancers gyrated up on him, leaving fans to examine multiple angles of the excited performer.