On Saturday night, Colombian music icon Shakira staged a free concert at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, captivating an audience of approximately 2 million people, according to Rio's mayor, Eduardo Cavaliere. This performance is part of her "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran" (Women No Longer Cry) world tour, promoting her 2024 album, and follows previous shows by other global stars like Madonna in 2024 and Lady Gaga last year.
Shakira kicked off her set around 11:00 p.m. local time, more than an hour later than scheduled. As she emerged on stage, her fans welcomed her with screams and applause while skywriting drones flew overhead, conveying the message "I love you Brazil" in Portuguese. During the performance, Shakira reminisced about her early days in Brazil, stating, "I arrived here when I was 18 years old, dreaming about singing for you. And now look at this. Life is magical."
The concert featured beloved tracks such as "Hips Don’t Lie," "La Tortura," and "La Bicicleta," concluding with "BZRP Music Sessions #53/66," a song that references her recent separation from Spanish soccer player Gerard Piqué. Throughout the show, Shakira emphasized the theme of women's strength and resilience, declaring, "Us women, every time we fall we get up a little wiser."
Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere praised Shakira's historical impact on Rio, referencing her 2009 hit "She-Wolf." Ethnomusicologist Felipe Maia highlights that Shakira's success in Brazil stems from their cultural similarities, reinforcing the longstanding connection she has cultivated with the Brazilian public. Fans echoed these sentiments; Erica Monteiro, a 38-year-old accountant, expressed that Shakira symbolizes the strength of the Latino community.
Post-concert, Hellem Souza da Silva remarked on how Shakira's presence contributes to the consolidation of Brazil's Latino identity, stating, "These artists are making it clear that Brazil, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and other countries are part of Latin America. And that America is not the United States." Crowds had begun gathering on the beach as early as Saturday morning, eager to secure good spots for the concert. Street vendors catered to attendees, selling local snacks, drinks, and even essentials like toilet paper and deodorant.
Many vendors, such as Simone Paula da Cunha, had prepared for the influx of concert-goers and were thrilled at the chance to sell their products while enjoying the music. The free concert initiative aligns with Rio's City Hall strategy to revitalize the economy following major events like Carnival and New Year’s celebrations, aiming to stimulate local commerce ahead of the Saint John’s Day festivities in June.
Rio's Mayor Cavaliere mentioned that the investment in Shakira's concert is expected to generate significant economic returns, estimating that it could yield around 777 million reais (approximately $155 million) through tourism and spending in local establishments. Data from the City Hall indicates that tourist numbers increased significantly in years when similar concerts took place.
With the anticipation surrounding the concert, Airbnb noted a rise in guest bookings from various locations across Brazil, Latin America, and even European cities like Paris and London. Wanderson Andrade, a 30-year-old architect, specifically traveled from Goiana to attend the concert, viewing it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a dream realized.
