1.6 MILLION SHOW UP FOR MADONNA’S FREE CONCERT IN RIO
Even a heat wave couldn’t keep 1.6 million people from attending a free concert hosted by the one and only Madonna.
Rio de Janeiro’s famous Copacabana beach was the scene for the end of the Queen of Pop’s Celebration world tour. The sand and oceanfront around the beach were filled with people for several blocks. Authorities estimated that there were about 1.6 million people in attendance.
To ensure they got a good spot, many people started to camp near the stage area while dozens of boats were anchored near the beach. Beachfront apartments were also filled to the brim with onlookers trying to get a view on balconies.
More than 3,000 police officers were deployed in the area while firefighters tried to fight the heat by spraying water before the concert to cool fans.
Madonna started her two-hour long show at 10:45 PM and performed her hit songs including Like A Prayer, Express Yourself and Vogue.
The 65-year-old told the crowd: “Rio, here we are, in the most beautiful place in the world, with the ocean, the mountain, Jesus. Magic.”
Image credit: France24