Latest news with #RioCityHall
CBS News
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
More than 2 million fans attend free Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro
Lady Gaga gave a free concert Saturday night in front of more than 2 million fans, who poured onto Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro for the biggest show of her career. "Tonight, we're making history," Lady Gage told a screaming crowd. "Thank you for making history with me." The Mother Monster, as she is known, kicked off the show just after 10 p.m. local time with her 2011 song "Bloody Mary." Cries of joy rose from the tightly-packed fans who sang and danced shoulder-to-shoulder on the vast stretch of sand. Concert organizers said 2.1 million people attended the show, which was funded by the city of Rio in an effort to revitalize the economy. In a recent report, Rio's City Hall said the show should bring in at least 600 million reais, or roughly $106 million. For Gaga, the performance was also an opportunity to promote her upcoming "Mayhem Ball" tour, featuring songs from her latest record MAYHEM. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 when it was released in early March and includes new hits like "Abracadabra." Lady Gaga performs during her free concert in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, May 3, 2025. Silvia Izquierdo / AP Lady Gaga also performed a number of older classics at her free show Saturday, including "Poker Face" and "Alejandro," switching between an array of dresses including one with the colors of the Brazilian flag. Some fans — many of them young — arrived on the beach at the crack of dawn to secure a good spot, armed with snacks and drinks. They spent the day under a blazing sun, while others perched in trees, determined to get a panoramic view. "Today is the best day of my life," said Manoela Dobes, a 27-year-old designer who was wearing a dress plastered with a photograph from when she met Lady Gaga in the United States in 2019. "It's surreal to be here." Madonna also turned Copacabana Beach into a massive dance floor last year. The large-scale performances are part of an effort led by City Hall to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Years' Eve festivities and the upcoming month-long Saint John's Day celebrations in June. "It brings activity to the city during what was previously considered the low season — filling hotels and increasing spending in bars, restaurants, and retail, generating jobs and income for the population," said Osmar Lima, the city's secretary of economic development, in a statement released by Rio City Hall's tourism department last month. People cheer as they watch Lady Gaga rehearse a day ahead of her free concert on Copacabana beach. Bruna Prado / AP Similar concerts are scheduled to take place every year in May at least until 2028. Lady Gaga arrived in Rio in the early hours of Tuesday. The city has been alive with Gaga-mania since, as it geared up to welcome the pop star for her first show in the country since 2012. Rio's metro employees danced to Lady Gaga's 2008 hit song "LoveGame" and gave instructions for Saturday in a video. A free exhibition celebrating her career sold out. While the vast majority of attendees were from Rio, the event also attracted Brazilians from across the country and international visitors. More than 500,000 tourists poured into the city in the days leading up to the show, more than double the initial forecast, according to data from the local bus station and Tom Jobim airport, Rio's City Hall said in a statement on Friday. Ingrid Serrano, a 30-year-old engineer, traveled from Colombia to Brazil to attend the show. "I've been a 100% fan of Lady Gaga my whole life," said Serrano, who was wearing a T-shirt featuring Lady Gaga's outlandish costumes over the years. For her, the mega-star represents "total freedom of expression — being who one wants without shame." Rio officials have a history of organizing huge concerts on Copacabana Beach. Madonna's show drew an estimated 1.6 million fans last year, while 4 million people flooded onto the beach for a 1994 New Year's Eve show by Rod Stewart in 1994. According to Guinness World Records, that was the biggest free rock concert in history. To ensure fans could hear the songs, sixteen sound towers were spread along the beach. Fans pack the shore of Copacabana beach to attend Lady Gaga's free show. Bruna Prado / AP Rio state's security plan included 3,300 members of the military, 1,500 police officers and 400 firefighters. Among those present were Lady Gaga admirers who remember their disappointment in 2017, when the artist canceled a performance scheduled in Rio at the last minute due to health issues. Ricardo Filho, who has been a fan since childhood, said it was worth the wait. "She's the best artist in the world," the 25-year-old said, as chants of "Gaga, I love you" in Portuguese rose from the crowd behind him.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lady Gaga's free concert boosts Rio's economy
Lady Gaga gave a free concert in front of two million fans who had poured onto Copacabana beach for the biggest show of her career. 'Tonight, we're making history... thank you for making history with me,' Lady Gaga told a screaming crowd. Rio's City Hall said in a recent report that the show should inject at least $106 million (£80 million) into Rio's economy. Similar concerts are scheduled to take place every year in May at least until 2028. Lady Gaga arrived in Rio in the early hours of Tuesday. The city has been caught up in Gaga-mania since, as it geared up to welcome the pop singer for her first show in the country since 2012. Rio's metro employees danced to Lady Gaga's 2008 hit song LoveGame and gave instructions for Saturday in a video. A free exhibition celebrating her career had sold out. While the vast majority of attendees were from Rio, the event also attracted Brazilians from across the country and international visitors. More than 500,000 tourists poured into the city in the days leading up to the show, over double the initial forecast, according to data from the local bus station and airport, Rio's City Hall said in a statement on Friday. The Mother Monster, as she is known, kicked off the show at around 22:10pm local time with her 2011 song Bloody Mary. Cries of joy rose from the tightly-packed fans who sang and danced shoulder-to-shoulder on the vast stretch of sand. Concert organisers said 2.1 million people attended the show. Lady Gaga performed her hits, including Poker Face and Alejandro, switching between an array of dresses including one with the colours of the Brazilian flag. Some fans, many of them young, arrived on the beach at the crack of dawn to secure a good spot, armed with snacks and drinks. They spent the day under a blazing sun, while others perched in trees, determined to get a panoramic view. 'Today is the best day of my life,' said Manoela Dobes, a 27-year-old designer who was wearing a dress plastered with a photograph from when she met Lady Gaga in the United States in 2019. 'It's surreal to be here.' Madonna also turned Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor last year. The large-scale performances are part of an effort led by City Hall to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Year's Eve festivities and the upcoming month-long Saint John's Day celebrations in June. 'It brings activity to the city during what was previously considered the low season, filling hotels and increasing spending in bars, restaurants, and retail, generating jobs and income for the population,' said Osmar Lima, the city's secretary of economic development, in a statement released by Rio City Hall's tourism department last month. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Lady Gaga's free concert boosts Rio's economy
Lady Gaga gave a free concert in front of two million fans who had poured onto Copacabana beach for the biggest show of her career. 'Tonight, we're making history... thank you for making history with me,' Lady Gaga told a screaming crowd. Rio's City Hall said in a recent report that the show should inject at least $106 million (£80 million) into Rio's economy. Similar concerts are scheduled to take place every year in May at least until 2028. Lady Gaga arrived in Rio in the early hours of Tuesday. The city has been caught up in Gaga-mania since, as it geared up to welcome the pop singer for her first show in the country since 2012. Rio's metro employees danced to Lady Gaga's 2008 hit song LoveGame and gave instructions for Saturday in a video. A free exhibition celebrating her career had sold out. While the vast majority of attendees were from Rio, the event also attracted Brazilians from across the country and international visitors. More than 500,000 tourists poured into the city in the days leading up to the show, over double the initial forecast, according to data from the local bus station and airport, Rio's City Hall said in a statement on Friday. The Mother Monster, as she is known, kicked off the show at around 22:10pm local time with her 2011 song Bloody Mary. Cries of joy rose from the tightly-packed fans who sang and danced shoulder-to-shoulder on the vast stretch of sand. Concert organisers said 2.1 million people attended the show. Lady Gaga performed her hits, including Poker Face and Alejandro, switching between an array of dresses including one with the colours of the Brazilian flag. Some fans, many of them young, arrived on the beach at the crack of dawn to secure a good spot, armed with snacks and drinks. They spent the day under a blazing sun, while others perched in trees, determined to get a panoramic view. 'Today is the best day of my life,' said Manoela Dobes, a 27-year-old designer who was wearing a dress plastered with a photograph from when she met Lady Gaga in the United States in 2019. 'It's surreal to be here.' Madonna also turned Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor last year. The large-scale performances are part of an effort led by City Hall to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Year's Eve festivities and the upcoming month-long Saint John's Day celebrations in June. 'It brings activity to the city during what was previously considered the low season, filling hotels and increasing spending in bars, restaurants, and retail, generating jobs and income for the population,' said Osmar Lima, the city's secretary of economic development, in a statement released by Rio City Hall's tourism department last month.
Arab Times
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
Lady Gaga rocks Copacabana Beach with a free concert for over 2 million fans
RIO DE JANEIRO, May 4, (AP): Lady Gaga gave a free concert Saturday night in front of 2 million fans who poured onto Copacabana Beach for the biggest show of her career. "Tonight, we're making history. (...) Thank you for making history with me,' Lady Gaga told a screaming crowd. The Mother Monster, as she is known, kicked off the show at around 22:10 p.m. local time with her 2011 song "Bloody Mary.' Cries of joy rose from the tightly-packed fans who sang and danced shoulder-to-shoulder on the vast stretch of sand. Concert organizers said 2.1 million people attended the show. Lady Gaga performed her classic hits, including "Poker Face' and "Alejandro,' switching between an array of dresses including one with the colors of the Brazilian flag. Some fans - many of them young - arrived on the beach at the crack of dawn to secure a good spot, armed with snacks and drinks. They spent the day under a blazing sun, while others perched in trees, determined to get a panoramic view. "Today is the best day of my life,' said Manoela Dobes, a 27-year-old designer who was wearing a dress plastered with a photograph from when she met Lady Gaga in the United States in 2019. "It's surreal to be here.' Madonna also turned Copacabana Beach into a massive dance floor last year. The large-scale performances are part of an effort led by City Hall to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Year's Eve festivities and the upcoming month-long Saint John's Day celebrations in June. "It brings activity to the city during what was previously considered the low season - filling hotels and increasing spending in bars, restaurants, and retail, generating jobs and income for the population,' said Osmar Lima, the city's secretary of economic development, in a statement released by Rio City Hall's tourism department last month. Rio's City Hall said in a recent report that the show should inject at least 600 million reais (some $106 million) into Rio's economy. Similar concerts are scheduled to take place every year in May at least until 2028. Lady Gaga arrived in Rio in the early hours of Tuesday. The city has been alive with Gaga-mania since, as it geared up to welcome the pop star for her first show in the country since 2012. Rio's metro employees danced to Lady Gaga's 2008 hit song "LoveGame' and gave instructions for Saturday in a video. A free exhibition celebrating her career sold out. While the vast majority of attendees were from Rio, the event also attracted Brazilians from across the country and international visitors. More than 500,000 tourists poured into the city in the days leading up to the show, more than double the initial forecast, according to data from the local bus station and Tom Jobim airport, Rio's City Hall said in a statement on Friday. Ingrid Serrano, a 30-year-old engineer, made a cross-continent trip from Colombia to Brazil to attend the show. "I've been a 100% fan of Lady Gaga my whole life,' said Serrano, who was wearing a T-shirt featuring Lady Gaga's outlandish costumes over the years. For her, the mega-star represents "total freedom of expression - being who one wants without shame.' Rio officials have a history of organizing huge concerts on Copacabana Beach. Madonna's show drew an estimated 1.6 million fans last year, while 4 million people flooded onto the beach for a 1994 New Year's Eve show by Rod Stewart in 1994. According to Guinness World Records, that was the biggest free rock concert in history. To ensure fans could hear the songs, sixteen sound towers were spread along the beach. Rio state's security plan included the presence of 3,300 military and 1,500 police officers, and 400 military firefighters. Among those present were Lady Gaga admirers who remember their disappointment in 2017, when the artist canceled a performance scheduled in Rio at the last minute due to health issues. Ricardo Filho, who has been a fan since childhood, said it was worth the wait. "She's the best artist in the world,' the 25-year-old said, as chants of "Gaga, I love you' in Portuguese rose from the crowd behind him.
The Journal
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Lady Gaga performs to over two million fans at free concert on Copacabana
LADY GAGA GAVE a free concert last night in front of more than two million fans who poured onto Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach for the biggest show of her career. 'Tonight, we're making history. Thank you for making history with me,' Lady Gaga told a screaming crowd in the Brazilian capital. Concert organisers said at least 2.1 million people attended the show. She kicked off the show at around 10.10pm local time with her 2011 song Bloody Mary. Cries of joy rose from the crowds of tightly-packed fans who sang and danced shoulder-to-shoulder on the beach's vast stretch of sand. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Lady Gaga performed her classic hits, including Poker Face and Alejandro, switching between an array of costumes, including a dress with the colours of the Brazilian flag. Some fans – many of them young – arrived on the beach at the crack of dawn to secure a good spot, carrying snacks and drinks. They spent the day under a blazing sun, while others perched in trees, determined to get a panoramic view. 'Today is the best day of my life,' said Manoela Dobes, a 27-year-old designer who was wearing a dress plastered with a photograph from when she met Lady Gaga in the United States in 2019. 'It's surreal to be here.' Madonna turned Copacabana Beach into a massive dance floor last year with her own free show at the iconic stretch of seaside. The large-scale performances are part of an effort led by Rio's City Hall to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Year's Eve festivities ahead of the upcoming month-long Saint John's Day celebrations in June. Advertisement 'It brings activity to the city during what was previously considered the low season – filling hotels and increasing spending in bars, restaurants, and retail, generating jobs and income for the population,' said Osmar Lima, the city's secretary of economic development, in a statement released by Rio City Hall's tourism department last month. Similar concerts are scheduled to take place every year in May at least until 2028. Lady Gaga arrived in Rio in the early hours of Tuesday. The city has been alive with Gaga-mania since, as it geared up to welcome the pop star for her first show in the country since 2012. Alamy Alamy Rio's metro employees danced to Lady Gaga's 2008 hit song LoveGame and gave instructions for Saturday in a video to commuters. A free exhibition celebrating her career sold out. While the vast majority of attendees were from Rio, the event also attracted Brazilians from across the country and international visitors. More than 500,000 tourists poured into the city in the days leading up to the show, more than double the initial forecast, according to data from the local bus station and Tom Jobim airport, Rio's City Hall said in a statement on Friday. Ingrid Serrano, a 30-year-old engineer, made a cross-continent trip from Colombia to Brazil to attend the show. 'I've been a 100% fan of Lady Gaga my whole life,' she said while wearing a T-shirt featuring Lady Gaga's outlandish costumes over the years. For her, the mega-star represents 'total freedom of expression – being who one wants without shame'. Rio officials have a history of organising huge concerts on Copacabana Beach. Madonna's show drew an estimated 1.6 million fans last year, while four million people flooded onto the beach for a New Year's Eve show by Rod Stewart in 1994. According to Guinness World Records, that was the biggest free rock concert in history. To ensure fans could hear the songs, sixteen sound towers were spread along the beach. Rio state's security plan included the presence of 3,300 military and 1,500 police officers, and 400 military firefighters. Among those present were Lady Gaga admirers who remember their disappointment in 2017 when the artist cancelled a performance scheduled in Rio at the last minute due to health issues. Ricardo Filho, who has been a fan since childhood, said it was worth the wait. 'She's the best artist in the world,' the 25-year-old said, as chants of 'Gaga, I love you' in Portuguese rose from the crowd behind him.
