Shakira Draws 2 Million to Free Copacabana Concert

Colombian superstar Shakira performed a free concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday night, drawing an estimated 2 million people to the iconic waterfront in one of the largest gatherings of its kind.

The event, part of Shakira's Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour named after her 2024 album, follows similar massive free shows by Madonna in May 2024 and Lady Gaga the previous year, both of which attracted huge crowds to the sprawling sands. Shakira described the performance as the biggest of her career. "For me it's a dream. I always dreamed of singing on this beach, because I think it's a magical place," she told Brazil's TV Globo in Portuguese, noting that she learned the language before English.

By Saturday morning, fans had begun filling the beach to secure prime viewing spots. Street vendors sold food, drinks, toilet paper, deodorant and even bags of sand for better elevation. DJs kicked off performances in the late afternoon, with Shakira taking the stage at 9:45 p.m. local time for a roughly two-hour set. Officials added a post-concert DJ session to keep the crowd engaged and facilitate an orderly exit.

Rio's City Hall organized the concert to stimulate...