RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — Lady Gaga is set to light up Copacabana Beach with a free concert Saturday night, marking the second consecutive year of such performances organized by the city’s government. This show is anticipated to be the largest of her career, echoing the recent massive turnout for Madonna, who transformed the beach into a colossal dance space last year.
These large-scale concerts are part of a broader strategy by the city to invigorate the local economy following the celebrations of Carnival and New Year’s Eve. Upcoming festivities for Saint John’s Day in June further emphasize the need for economic stimulation. Osmar Lima, the city’s economic development secretary, explained that these events help bring activity to a time traditionally perceived as slow for tourism, bolstering hotel occupancy and increasing spending in local businesses.
Rio’s city officials plan to host similar concerts every May through at least 2028, hoping to continue attracting tourists and enhancing the city’s vibrancy. Since arriving in Rio early Tuesday, Lady Gaga has sparked what locals are calling “Gaga-mania.” The enthusiasm has been palpable, with metro workers dancing to her 2008 hit “LoveGame” to engage fans ahead of the show. An exhibition celebrating her career sold out, and dedicated followers, known as “Little Monsters,” gathered outside her hotel, eager for a glimpse of the pop icon.
As the concert looms, eager fans have flocked to the beach, many arriving at dawn to secure prime viewing spots. Under the relentless sun, they remained hopeful, some climbing trees for a better angle on the stage. “It’s a dream come true,” said Ana Lara Folador, a 23-year-old fan who felt connected to Gaga’s influence on her life and artistry.
City officials estimate that about 1.6 million fans are expected to attend, generating an estimated 600 million reais (roughly $106 million) for the local economy—a significant boost compared to last year’s event. While most attendees will be locals, the concert is also expected to draw fans from all over Brazil and the world. Ingrid Serrano, an engineer who traveled from Colombia, expressed her lifelong admiration for Lady Gaga. “For me, she embodies total freedom of expression, encouraging everyone to be unapologetically themselves,” she said.
Gaga’s performance is scheduled to start at 9:45 p.m. local time, and organizers have set up 16 sound towers along the beach to ensure her music resonates. Security will be tight, with the deployment of 3,300 military personnel, 1,500 police officers, and 400 firefighters to ensure the safety of the massive crowd.
The tradition of hosting monumental concerts at Copacabana Beach is well-established. Madonna attracted around 1.6 million fans last year, while a 1994 New Year’s Eve concert featuring Rod Stewart drew an astonishing 4 million attendees, a record recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest free rock concert ever.
As the sun sets on another lively day in Rio, all eyes will be on the beach, where Lady Gaga is poised to deliver a memorable performance that promises to resonate long after the music fades.