Rock in Rio: 40 Years of Billboard Chart-Toppers and Iconic Moments
In its 40th year, Rock in Rio has once again proven why it remains the “Super Bowl of music festivals.”
With over 700,000 fans gathering at Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Park over seven days in September, the 2024 edition brought together an unforgettable array of global talent,
This year’s lineup included headliners such as Mariah Carey, Katy Perry, Shawn Mendes, Ed Sheeran, Charlie Puth, and Karol G, along with icons Gloria Gaynor and Cyndi Lauper, and even the return of Will Smith.
Cyndi Lauper. Credit: Vans Bumbeers.
Rock in Rio has been a driving force in shaping modern music festivals since its inception in 1985. As Luis Justo, CEO of Rock in Rio, explained, “From the beginning, it wasn’t just about building a stage; it was about creating a platform for experiences.”
Weekend One set the stage with powerhouse acts like Travis Scott, who brought the high-energy performance fans have come to expect, performing hits such as “Sicko Mode,” which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2018.
Joining him were Imagine Dragons, who performed their chart-topping track “Radioactive,” which holds the record for the most weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as pop-rock staples OneRepublic and the legendary Journey, who took the stage to remind fans of their enduring hit “Don’t Stop Believin’,” which peaked at No. 9 on the Hot 100 in 1981.
The second weekend, however, was packed with even more star power and unforgettable moments.
Shawn Mendes. Credit: Ariel Martini.
On Sept. 19, Ed Sheeran delivered a stunning set that included his Billboard chart-topping single “Shape of You,” which spent 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100. Sheeran, known for his ability to effortlessly switch between acoustic ballads and stadium anthems, had the crowd singing along to hits both old and new.
Will Smith’s special appearance created a stir, with the former Fresh Prince performing “Men in Black,” a track that reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 back in 1997, marking his return to the music stage.
Luis Justo reflected on how Rock in Rio’s ability to attract global megastars and create unforgettable moments has helped it remain relevant for four decades: “Rock in Rio has always been about connecting artists, fans, and brands in a way that is bigger than the sum of its parts. Artists like Katy Perry and Cyndi Lauper don’t just perform—they create history here.”
Rock in Rio 2024. Credit: Ariel Martini.
Friday, Sept. 20, saw the festival highlight female power in music during the Dia Delas (Women’s Day) celebration. Global superstars like Katy Perry, Karol G, and Gloria Gaynor delivered standout performances.
Gaynor, whose legendary anthem “I Will Survive” brought the house down. The 1979 track, which became an anthem of resilience and empowerment, topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and remains a cultural touchstone.
Karol G brought a high-energy performance to Rock in Rio. Credit: Oxidany
Meanwhile, Karol G brought her reggaeton flair, performing hits like “Tusa,” which reached No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Katy Perry lit up the sky at midnight on the second weekend of Brazil’s Rock in Rio 2024 by officially launching her highly anticipated new album 143 on the festival’s iconic Palco Mundo (Main Stage).
The pop superstar, who has performed at Rock in Rio twice before, took the stage on Sept. 20 with an entirely new setlist and custom-designed visuals and set, delivering an unforgettable experience to over 100,000 festivalgoers.
Katy Perry. Credit: Vans Bumbeers
The audience had the exclusive privilege of being the first to hear 143, with the album set to drop across all digital platforms at midnight following her set.
As if the album launch wasn’t enough, Katy surprised fans by bringing out music legend Cyndi Lauper for a powerful duet of Lauper’s 1984 Billboard chart-topping hit, “Time After Time.”
“This is such a special moment for me,” Perry said during her performance. “To launch 143 here, at Rock in Rio, and to share the stage with one of my heroes, Cyndi, is beyond anything I could have imagined.”
Luis Justo reflected on the impact of these performances, saying, “Katy Perry choosing Rock in Rio to debut her album shows how much faith artists have in the festival’s ability to connect them with a global audience. And having legends like Cyndi Lauper and Gloria Gaynor perform reminds us of the festival’s rich history and its role in music’s ongoing story.”
The Sept. 21 performances honored Brazilian music with appearances by legends like Ivete Sangalo and Gaby Amarantos. The day featured a special “Forever” sequence with tributes to multiple genres, including trap, MPB (Música Popular Brasileira), and samba, ensuring that Brazil’s rich musical heritage was at the forefront.
“It’s incredible to offer this moment to Brazilian fans. A global launch by an artist like Katy Perry is a rare opportunity. We are lucky to have trust of the audience, who show up in large numbers but also of the artists who find Rock in Rio to be the best place to be close to their fans and give them the pinnacle moment of their careers—an exclusive and entirely premium experience,” Justo explained.
Mariah Carey proved why she’s still one of pop’s most beloved artists on Rock in Rio’s final night. Credit: Fernando Schlaepfer.
With Mariah Carey performing on Sept. 22, the festival closed on a high note. Carey, who holds the record for the most No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 by a solo artist, treated fans to a string of her classics, including “We Belong Together” and “Hero.”
Her voice, still powerful after decades in the industry, served as a reminder of why she remains one of the greatest pop vocalists of all time.
Shawn Mendes, known for hits like “Stitches” and his Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping duet “Señorita” with Camila Cabello, drew a massive crowd as he closed out the evening. Fans flocked to the stage in huge numbers, creating a unified chorus as the audience echoed every lyric in a powerful singalong.
Shawn Mendes. Credit: Ariel Martini.
Reflecting on the festival’s storied history that includes performances from the likes of Rod Stewart, AC/DC, Metallica, The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Coldplay, Linkin Park and more, Justo recalled one of Rock in Rio’s most legendary moments: Freddie Mercury leading a 300,000-strong crowd in a singalong of “Love of My Life” at the inaugural 1985 edition.
“When you think of Freddie Mercury leading 300,000 fans in singing ‘Love of My Life’ at our very first edition in 1985, it’s clear that Rock in Rio has always been about creating moments that live forever.” Queen’s legendary performance not only became one of the defining moments of the festival but also cemented Rock in Rio as a world-class stage for the biggest artists on the planet.
“It showed the world that Brazil wasn’t just a place for music lovers—it was a place where music history was made,” he added.
With legendary performances, surprise duets, and new album debuts, the 40th anniversary was a celebration of music’s past, present, and future. As Luis Justo put it, “Rock in Rio is not just a festival, it’s a movement. It’s about connecting people, creating memories, and pushing the boundaries of what a live music experience can be.”
Reflecting on the impact of past and present performers, Justo noted, “We’ve had legends like Queen in 1985, and now, we have artists like Travis Scott and Ed Sheeran shaping the future of music. That’s the magic of Rock in Rio.”
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