With the world-famous statue towering over it from Corcovado mountain, Rio de Janeiro is properly used to Christ the Redeemer. For one night time solely this weekend, it additionally had Madonna.
Greater than one million folks thronged Copacabana seashore on Saturday night time, turning its huge stretch of sand into a large dancefloor for a free live performance by the pop star as she accomplished her world tour.
“Right here we’re in probably the most stunning place on the planet,” Madonna, 65, advised the tightly packed crowd. Declaring the ocean view and the mountains, she added: “This place is magic.”
Within the run-up to the live performance, town had been buzzing, with followers lined up outdoors the stately Copacabana Palace resort within the hope of catching a glimpse of the star. The town’s airport fielded an estimated 170 additional flights as followers poured in from world wide.
Metropolis officers estimated that 1.6 million folks turned up for the live performance, some watching from brightly lit flats or lodges overlooking the seashore, whereas others appeared on from motorboats and sailboats anchored close by.
As drones and helicopters flew overhead, the singer supplied up a stunning present, enjoying classics starting from Like a Virgin to Like a Prayer, and biking by means of dozens of units and costume modifications.
Flanked by big screens, she started the present along with her 1998 hit Nothing Actually Issues, eliciting an enormous cheer from the gang.
“Oi, Rio!” she referred to as out in Portuguese. The response was swift, carried by greater than one million voices: “Oi, Queen Madonna!”
The singer additionally paid an emotional tribute to “all the brilliant lights” misplaced to Aids as she sang Dwell to Inform, in opposition to a backdrop of black-and-white images that includes individuals who died from the sickness.
The Brazilian pop artists Anitta and Pabllo Vittar, in addition to youthful musicians from samba colleges, additionally took half within the present.
The present, which Madonna’s official web site described as the largest ever in her 40-year profession, marked the ultimate cease on her Celebration tour. Large screens and 18 sound towers had been unfold out alongside the seashore to make sure the crowds might benefit from the occasion.
Followers, a lot of whom lined up hours and even days earlier than the live performance to get view, hailed Madonna’s efficiency. “I’ve by no means seen such a robust present,” one advised the BBC. “It’s unimaginable, very a lot out of the atypical,” she added.
“Madonna is spectacular,” stated one other. “There’s no live performance higher than Madonna’s.”
Metropolis officers, on excessive alert after a younger Brazilian fan died at a Taylor Swift live performance final 12 months on account of warmth exhaustion, ordered firefighters to chill down followers by spraying water earlier than the live performance. Free ingesting water was additionally handed out as temperatures hovered at about 27C (81F) throughout the late-night present.
Greater than 3,000 law enforcement officials have been deployed across the live performance space, the place the Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart have additionally drawn million-strong crowds.
Throughout Rio, anticipation had been constructing all week. “Welcome, Queen!” learn Heineken adverts plastered across the metropolis, whereas bars and eating places served up “Like a Virgin” cocktails. Throughout the Copacabana neighbourhood, the singer’s picture was emblazoned on billboards, souvenirs and T-shirts.
As resort bookings in Copacabana climbed to an estimated 98% of capability, Rio state’s safety readied plans that included the presence of three,200 navy personnel and 1,500 civilian law enforcement officials on standby, whereas the nation’s navy carried out inspections of any vessel trying to comply with the live performance offshore. Metropolis officers estimated that the live performance would inject as a lot as 293m reais (£46m) into the native financial system.
With contributions from Related Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse