Rolling Stones concert on Copacabana beach
The crashing of the waves at the end of a February 2006 afternoon was barely noticed by the crowd gathering to watch the Rolling Stones perform on Copacabana beach. Official estimates put the audience at a million and a half, but some say that, on those sands, jostling for just a glimpse of Keith Richards's hair, there were far more people than that. This was partly because the audience was also spread out over the sea, on ships, boats, and catamarans, eager to witness the greatest show in the British band's history.
Photo: Rogério Reis - World Youth Day on Copacabana beach - 2013 - Agência Tyba
Image description: This is a photograph of a large crowd of people on Praia de Copacabana, in Rio de Janeiro, during World Youth Day (JMJ). The image shows a vast crowd stretching from the beach to the urban buildings on the left. On the right, there is a large rocky hill covered with vegetation. The sky is cloudy, and the sea is calm.It was on these very same sands that, on the turn from 1993 to 1994, singer Rod Stewart drew 3.5 million spectators and set, in the Guinness Book, the record for attendance at a free rock concert. Also in Copacabana, the New Year's Eve celebration came to incorporate rhythms and sounds, with performances of various styles alongside its traditional fireworks display, and became one of the most famous mega-events in the world.
Anitta performing at the 2018 New Year's Eve show on Copacabana beach, with the participation of young musicians from the Maré symphony orchestra.
Photo: Oscar Cabral - Fireworks display on Copacabana beach - Agência Tyba
Image description: This is a photograph of a fireworks display on Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeiro, on 01/01/2011. On the left side, we see a densely populated city with many illuminated buildings. In the center, there is a large body of water, where the fireworks are being displayed. From the center to the right, we see a series of colorful fireworks exploding over the sea. The sky is dark, but the fireworks create a variety of vibrant colors against it.The Rock in Rio Festival is another legendary space for the pairing of crowds and music. Since its first edition, in 1985, rock itself has been losing primacy to other types of rhythm. The festival's dimensions, however, remain gigantic.
Photo: Alexandre Macieira - Rock in Rio - 2013 - Agência Tyba
Image description: The image is a photograph of a nighttime event. From back to front, we see a large Ferris wheel lit up with blue and white lights. In front, there is a crowd of people, some with their arms raised. A woman stands in the center, her arm raised, pointing upward. The lighting is predominantly blue and white, creating a contrast with the dark night sky.Even classical music, which isn't usually a very popular genre around here, has its moments in the spotlight for large audiences. That's what happens at some performances of Projeto Aquarius, for example, which in the past has already drawn crowds for concerts in places like Maracanãzinho and Parque do Flamengo.
