Businessman also explained why the attractions at his festival are often repeated: “it’s not just up to me, but the music industry”
Hip hop, trap, funk and even country music were present in more recent editions of the Rock in Rio — which, despite its name, was never an exclusive rock festival. However, there is a popular genre that has never been considered: K-pop, an offshoot of pop music produced in South Korea.
Is this an exclusion? According to Roberto Medinano. In an interview with Braulio Lorentz for g1the businessman declared that the doors of the event, created by him in 1985, remain open.
“I have no problem having a K-pop band at Rock in Rio. There was no coincidence of dates with big bands like blackpinkbut we are open to that possibility.”
Medina states that the festival’s interest in bringing certain attractions is not enough. The artists and/or their managers must also want to come.
“The dates haven’t been agreed yet and we need the band’s intention to come to Brazil. It doesn’t just depend on the festival’s wishes. The choice of attractions is not just mine, it is based on research and what the public wants. Then, for each day, we try to divide it by age group and musical style, but we can’t always do it the way we would like.”
Repeated attractions at Rock in Rio
Another point raised during the interview by Roberto Medina involves the repetition of attractions in the Rock in Rio in its latest editions. It is rare, in particular, for the organization of the event to bring new headliners. The businessman points out that this is just a reflection of the music industry.
“I think it’s an issue that doesn’t just concern me, but the music industry. It needs to create bands that can fulfill this desire for renewal, because if you analyze shows of this nature and magnitude, it is difficult for an event to renew the lineup.”
Still in his statement, Medina highlights the difference between the scenarios of 1985 and today. He points out:
“In 1985, when Rock in Rio started, it was very easy. Nobody had come to Brazil and it was like that for a while… Today, you have a very big demand for the same bands. I don’t know what the problem is with there being less renewal today. But that’s okay, as I said, you will always have a part of people who criticize you and I’m not completely used to that.”
Finally, the businessman points out an attraction from the last Rock in Rio that earned him criticism when announced, but generated huge demand for tickets: Travis Scott. He recalls:
“Travis Scott was my personal choice, because I was curious to see it, but it was very different for Rock in Rio. Then I went on Twitter and it was there: Roberto Medina in the trending topics. I was all proud. I said: ‘Wow, that’s cool’. But then I went to see it and: ‘Wow, everyone is talking bad about me! My God!’ I turned it off quickly, I didn’t want to see anything else. I told my wife: ‘Wow, people are hating me’. But then it got crowded and it was too much.”
The Town 2025
Scheduled for 2026, the next edition of Rock in Rio does not have a date to take place. Already the The Townproduced by the same creators as the Rio festival, will take place on the 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th and 14th of September, at the Autódromo de Interlagos, in São Paulo. Names such as Katy Perry, Green Day, Bruce Dickinsonbetween others.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
