Rock in Rio 2024: I Went to the Festival Before It Started and I’ll Tell You Everything You Need to Know

Rock in Rio 2024: I Went to the Festival Before It Started and I’ll Tell You Everything You Need to Know


The 40th anniversary commemorative edition starts this Friday the 13th

It was already late afternoon when the test event took place. Rock in Rio 2024 It started in Cidade do Rock last Wednesday, 11 Unlike the rain and mud that characterized the historic 1985 edition, the intense heat, which at 4pm made the thermometers rise to 36ºC, made me sweat under the torrential sun.

Suddenly, the pants I had chosen did not seem like a good option anymore. Leather jackets and heavy boots are typical of festival looks, so I would recommend leaving them in the closet. This was the first feeling I had, as soon as I entered the ‘temple’ of music: a heat that was hard to ignore.

So, the first piece of advice I give, as someone who was there before the pitch filled with passionate fans, is opt for amazing dresses to enjoy the event. At least for this first weekend of Rock in Rio, the forecast is for very hot weather in Rio de Janeiro.

The capital Rio de Janeiro has been hit by a heat wave that has hit part of Brazil and that on Saturday 14th will record temperatures of up to 38ºC. The thermal sensation becomes, in particular, less ‘suffering’, thanks to the hydration islands throughout the festival.

Festival ‘avoids’ heat in Rio with water distribution

For this year’s Rock in Rio, It is permitted to bring plastic bottles up to 500 ml with lidThe approximately 176 fountains grouped together at hydration points offer free water to the public and, even without a container, it is possible to “put your mouth” under the jet to quench your thirst.

I actually tried this way, but I recommend using a bottle if you don’t want to make a mess: the flow is strong! In some places there are also stations to refresh people with water sprayers.

I would even dare to say that in Cidade do Rock there are more drinking fountains than bathrooms. Now it remains to be seen whether during the festival days there will be disputes and queues in the places, as well as the bathrooms.

On Sunday, however, there is a chance of drizzle during the night. If you plan on watching bands like Evanescent and Avenged Sevenfold, a raincoat in your backpack is a good idea.

Novelty and adrenaline renew the event that has reached its 40th edition

Under the sun, I attended the press conference where Roberta Medina reinforce the numbers and novelties of this year’s edition. The festival director spoke passionately about the program and smiled between one answer and another when she saw the squadron of smoke painting the sky blue and red to announce the start of the event.

In addition to the characteristic fireworks display at the end of each day of celebration, the smoke team will be present to officially open all the datesThe grandeur of the action is accompanied by the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the festival, which became a reality in January 1985, in a historic edition.

Another novelty highlighted by the daughter of Robert Medina was the distance between the most anticipated stages by the public: Mundo and Sunset. In addition to having grown, the Sunset Stage is now closer to the main for those who don’t want to give up watching their programming. According to the director, the new distance is 400 meters.

I decided to try this walk in practice, with a stopwatch and all! I walked from a reasonable position from the Sunset Stage to the world, and this journey lasted exactly 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

It’s actually closer and more convenient, but it’s worth mentioning that I did this test during the festival’s inaugural event. There weren’t as many people as there will be on the official days. I didn’t have to push my way through or squeeze through the crowd!

Closer to the Sunset Stage, there is another novelty of Rock In Rio 2024: the space Global Village. The proposal is to recreate the architecture and iconic monuments of different countries. I stopped there and especially appreciated the version of the White House, the United States and an Igloo! Of course, Brazil was also represented in the space with a samba bar in Rio.

Nearby, the Espaço Favela has also been “enlarged”. The stage that celebrates Brazilian urban culture gained projection and two large screens. The attraction that most excited me at the event, in fact, sang there and cheered everyone up.

The ambassador of Espaço Favela, Xandé of Pilarescheered up the guests with a pocket show that ranged from samba to MPB, without losing breath. My advice for those who will go on September 21 is to attend the carioca show on the Sunset Stage.

While I was happy with Xande’s participation, the feeling gave way to fear and sweaty hands when I decided to try some rides at the Rock in Rio amusement park. For those who love this adrenaline rush, there are several options: the most.lights’zip line and Ferris wheel and the ‘punkmega downloads, roller coasters and discoveries.

Since I wanted to live the experience 100%, I chose the mega download, so one of those extra ones hard core. The ride is a free-falling tower and, from the tail end, I could already hear the screams of the people up there.

I had to wait a little and soon I was sitting on one of the chairs overlooking the main stages. I wanted a panoramic view from above, a beginner’s idea. When the structure rose I could do nothing but close my eyes and wait for the terrifying descent, with the soundtrack of people screaming.

Jokes aside, I enjoyed the experience, but I think it’s only worth going once. I wanted more and I wanted to go on the roller coaster, but I didn’t manage to do it in time. As for the discovery, I didn’t have the courage! The toy spins upside down and I think it’s a bad option for those who want to drink at the festival. Does it make you want to throw up?

Since it was a test event, I didn’t have to plan my attendance at the park and I didn’t have to deal with long lines. But for those who love adrenaline, We recommend booking your spot early via the official Rock in Rio app. and be patient in waiting.

The musical has been bringing “magic” since 1985

No, it doesn’t start with “oh oh oh, Rock in Rio!”. The musical Sonhos, Lama and Rock and Roll is another novelty in the City of Rock in this edition and opens with the famous verse “dream another impossible dream”, from the song immortalized with the voice of Mary Bethany.

The presentation is dynamic, exciting and, perhaps, my favorite attraction on Wednesday. With Rodrigo Pandolfo In the role of Roberto Medina I was transported back to 1984, when Rock in Rio was just a difficult idea to realize.

The 40 minutes of the musical flew by in the Olympic arena chosen for the production. I had fun, I was moved by the songs ranging from queen THE Wrong and he returned once again, to sing again.

Anyone wishing to attend the show during the festival days should find out about the times and show up there, without needing an appointment. With a capacity of 790 people, There will be 4 40-minute presentations per day, from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

The outcome of the visit was more than positive and I was pleased to see that the 40th anniversary edition has a structure worthy of its importance. The test event ended with a pocket show by Barão Vermelho, a band present at the first edition of the festival.

The configuration, of course, is no longer the same. At the time of the first Rock in Rio, Cazuza He led the voice of the rock group and wanted to give a youthful message to a Brazil that was going through a phase of re-democratization after the dictatorship.

I wasn’t there for the iconic first edition in 1985, but I had the chance to hear that speech again, word for word. The current singer of Barão, Rodrigo Meerkathe concluded the show with For the happy day of birth and repeated: “May tomorrow be a good day for everyone. A new Brazil, smart guys. Thank you!” So, there is no Friday the 13th that brings bad luck for Rock in Rio 2024.

The festival takes place on September 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21 and 22 in Cidade do Rock, in the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro.

Source: Terra

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