At the Interlagos racetrack, the first two days of the festival brought together hip hop and rock fans at shows that celebrated their respective music genres
One of the largest festivals in Brazil, both in structure and national and international attractions, The Town ended the first weekend with days dedicated to hip hop and rock, gathering thousands of people in Interlagos Autodromein São Paulo.
Next week will be focused on pop, with names like Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie, BACKSTREET BOYS and Katy Perry. Back in the first two days: the 6th, Sunday, had a great participation of trap artists, who attracted a younger audience Matuê, Wiu, Mc Cabelinho, Don Toliver and Travis Scott.
The 7th was a great celebration of punk, both national and international, with Supla, Bad Religion, Iggy Pop and Green Day. However, it is worth mentioning the participation of names of other rock subgenres, such as Pitty, Initial capital, Bruce Dickinson and Black Pantera.
In addition, the VIP area of the event has an interactive space of the Rolling Stone Brazilin which the public can immerse the brand universe (if there is there on 12, 13 and 14, be sure to visit us!). Below, see how was the first weekend of The Town:
Rolling Stone Brazil space in the VIP area of The Town
The brand’s space has a backdrop with iconic covers of national and international artists such as Iggy Pop, Iron Maiden, Ivete Sangalo, Karol Conká, Criolo, Bad Religion, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Rita Lee and Prince.
At the booth, Rolling Stone Brazil distributed reeds with the brand logo and, the most special activation, and made a lot of exclusive Levi’s Jeans Jackets (one per day, five in total) and customized by Upcycling Juliene Darin expert. At the end of the festival, there will be the draw of the draw, and each piece will be sent directly to the house of the respective sellers.
Karol Conká celebrates career and rap
Rapper Karol Conká was responsible for opening The One on this first day of The Town 2025. With characteristic energy and style, the artist presented a setlist filled with striking compositions, turning performance into a celebration of her 25 years of trajectory.
Reinforcing the current scene of national rap, Karol invited the stage the Rappers Ajulosta and Ebony. The dynamics were similar to both: each one entered the stage by mixing a hit with a sample.
Shortly after Ebony’s departure, Karol announced a novelty: the unprecedented single “Alchemy”, a partnership between the three, which will have a clip. Another exciting surprise marked the show. Rapper’s son, Jorge, known as Conjota, took the stage to sing for the first time at a festival. The song chosen for the moment was “Sandal”, drawing warm applause from the public.
LAURYN HILL IN PARTY RACE
Ms. Lauryn Hill’s show was born historic. The singer, the singer of eight Grammy Awards, broke records in 1999 by winning five awards in a single night with The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, becoming the first woman to win album of the year and take the rap for the first time to this category.
This historical dimension, coupled with the rarity of his appearances, made the presentation one of the most anticipated moments of the festival. The show was full of classic songs from his career. All packed the audience that danced and sang.
This climate could also be seen on stage, with the presence of a band, backing vocals and even a person to “cheer up” the audience. Lauryn brought some peace while singing with energy.
BURNA BOY AND ALL YOUR CHARISM
With a day dominated by Trap artists, especially Skyline stage singers Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, better known as Burna Boy, brought freshness to The Town with her works that walk through Afrobeat, Reggae and R&B. Precisely this range of music marries a lot with a show, especially with a complete band with backing vocals, trumpet, saxophone, drums and drums.
Although most of the audience is waiting for the sensations of Travis Scott and Don Toliver (and this was evident), the Nigerian singer was not intimidated and lavished charisma throughout his setlist, which was about 1h. At certain times, he interacted directly with the crowd, asked to open wheels, jump and move as much as possible.
Matuê Dominates Stage The One
Those who arrived late at the Matuê show, which took place on the first day of The Town, faced difficulties to spy on the stage of so many people who went to The One to watch the phenomenon of Brazilian Trap.
In 17 songs, the artist showed the reason for being a phenomenon, especially among the younger ones: style, attitude and stage presence – not to mention the great support band that accompanies him on the tour of the 333 album (2024). From the singles from the beginning of his career, such as “Light Years”, “Kenny G” and “De Piece”, the artist shows that his show corresponds to studio work (something that many trappers can’t do well). Point to you, Matuê.
Capital Initial fulfilled the punk mission for one day
Unlike many artists who carry protocol repertoires for festivals shows, Capital Initial offered a different presentation to The Town audience. The group led by vocalist Dinho Ouro Preto knew that he was playing for an audience formed mostly by punk rock fans – therefore, at least in the early part of his set, he prioritized songs from his first albums, when he actually belonged to the subgenre, before making his sound more pop in the 1990s.
Black Pantera
Black Pantera proved, by ending The Town’s broken stage on Sunday, 7, that it should be in a larger space at the festival. From start to finish, the mining trio -mirror that fuses Thrash Metal and Hardcore with a single groove had the audience in the palm of his hand.
In a way, they ended up playing for fewer people than the deserved one, because they shared a time with the Bad Religion on the Skyline stage. Still, they didn’t care and, as the title of one of their songs says, they put it to F*. May the World Stage in Rock in Rio 2026 come.
Pitty celebrates 20 years of anachronistic (2005)
In The Town, Pitty climbed to The One as the only woman at the top of the lineup and turned her presentation into a historic act. The show was more than a performance: a celebration of the 20 years of Anachronic (2005), an album that consolidated its trajectory and continues to cross generations.
The first “mask” chords were enough for the atmosphere to change completely. Pitty brought a magnetic presence that made the audience sing in unison.
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Bruce Dickinson
Four decades have passed since Iron Maiden’s debut at Rock in Rio – and Bruce Dickinson has just shown to The Town that he lost virtually nothing of that momentum that captivated the Marvelous City and, consequently, Brazil.
Even at 67 and having faced language cancer – properly healed – the singer preserved his vocal power and, within what is humanly possible, physical disposition. The reach of his gogo is extensive, but now finds slightly more serious and deep tones, which fall very well in his soil repertoire, heavier and focused on the lows than the Maiden.
Dickinson, the metal icon, was displaced in the punk footprint and did not engage the audience so much; Still, he offered a huge show.
Iggy Pop
In the second edition of The Town, Iggy Pop took the stage at 9:55 pm on Sunday to end the night with a 90 -minute performance that reaffirmed his place as a punk legend. At a festival marked by artists who bring their influence on DNA, he showed the strength of a legacy in the first person who crosses five decades.
Green Day
Great festivals are able to consecrate or sink the career of a definitive artist or band. Fortunately, Green Day, the most popular punk band in history, was awarded the first option after debuting on the stage of Rock in Rio in 2022 as a main attraction.
We are not talking about a group of beginners. Composed by Billie Joe Armstrong (voice and guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass) and Tré Cool (drums), the record trio has been active for almost 40 years and has achieved huge success in the 1990s and 2000s. Outside, leading big events and occupies stadiums. Here, however, in previous visits in 1998, 2010 and 2017, played in arenas, gyms and amphitheaters. Therefore, their performance three years ago was so important: they changed their level in our country.
The show, it is said, was so good that it accredited them to return in 2025 as the headliner of The Town’s only rock day. And this Sunday, 7, again showed why they became one of the biggest bands of the genre in which they are inserted.
+++ Read more: Karol Conká brings his son to the stage of The Town for the first time
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.
