Huge crowds head to Copacabana for free Lady Gaga concert

RIO DE JANEIRO – Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Copacabana Beach was filling up fast on May 3 with excited fans of Lady Gaga, hours before the American superstar is to perform at a free mega-concert.

Some fans – known affectionately as Gaga’s “Little Monsters” – were already in line at daybreak.

As new arrivals emerged from nearby Metro stations, they were pounced on by strolling vendors, offering everything from paper fans to sarongs bearing their idol’s image.

They waited in long lines to pass through metal detectors before gaining access to the beach.

Local authorities have deployed a massive security force for the concert, including 5,000 officers, drones and both surveillance and facial recognition cameras.

Rio officials expected a turnout of perhaps 1.6 million people, which they estimate could bring US$100 million (S$130 million) into the local economy – nearly 30 per cent more than the free Madonna concert in 2024.

The May 3 performance was part of a promotional tour for Mayhem, Gaga’s eighth album released in March. The star, who performed songs on the album in a highly raved, nearly two-hour headlining set at music festival Coachella in April, will also play four shows at Singapore’s National Stadium in May.

Mayhem’s songs have been huge hits on streaming platforms. They include Abracadabra and the duet Die With A Smile recorded with Bruno Mars, which earned Lady Gaga her 14th Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance in February.

“I got here at 7.40 this morning,” said 22-year-old Alisha Duarte. “So far, it’s going well. It’ll get more complicated tonight when it’s going to get super crowded, but we’ll survive – Lady Gaga is worth it.”

Ms Duarte was trying to beat the heat with the help of a rainbow-coloured fan, a symbol of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community that was well-represented that day at Copacabana.

Mr Alan Jones, a hairstylist who had come from the southern state of Santa Catarina, showed off a skull tattoo on his left arm, which he said was inspired by Gaga’s Born This Way (2011), his favourite song.

“It was thanks to this song that I began to accept myself for who I am,” he said.

Concertgoer Luan Messias had spent the night on a bus from Itanhaem in neighbouring Sao Paulo state. “I can’t wait for her to sing ‘Abracadabra,’ it’s great to dance to, like her early stuff,” said the 28-year-old.

Lady Gaga has not toured in Brazil since 2012. She was supposed to be a headliner at 2017’s Rock In Rio festival, but had to cancel for health reasons. AFP