Rock in Rio organizers have revised the schedule for Monday, September 7, moving headliner Sir Elton John to an earlier 11:00 PM performance time on the main World Stage.
The British singer was previously scheduled to begin his show at 12:05 AM on Tuesday, September 8. Festival organizers adjusted his appearance forward by over an hour to close the World Stage lineup on Monday night.
Schedule adjustments were also made to performances on the Sunset Stage. Organizers did not state whether set times were altered for other festival areas.
Between live music sets on the World Stage, organizers added two major spectator attractions. A pyrotechnic fireworks show takes place at 8:25 PM, followed by an aerial drone display at 9:45 PM.
Rock in Rio is one of the world's largest music festivals. Founded in Rio de Janeiro in 1985 by Brazilian entrepreneur Roberto Medina, the event regularly draws hundreds of thousands of fans to witness global music icons. Elton John, who has sold more than 300 million records worldwide over a career spanning six decades, returns to headline the flagship Brazilian festival.
World Stage and Sunset Stage lineups
The World Stage music program on September 7 begins at 4:10 PM with Brazilian pop singer Luísa Sonza performing alongside Bossa Nova pioneer Roberto Menescal. American Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste takes the stage at 6:15 PM, followed by iconic Brazilian singer-songwriter Gilberto Gil at 8:30 PM, before Elton John closes the night at 11:00 PM.
Over on the Sunset Stage, set times begin at 3:00 PM with Vanessa da Mata featuring Rubel. Pop-rock band Roupa Nova performs with Guilherme Arantes at 5:10 PM, samba artist Péricles delivers a Motown tribute set at 7:20 PM, and Icelandic singer Laufey headlines the stage at 9:55 PM.
The day features a mix of international stars and celebrated Brazilian artists. Gilberto Gil is a pioneer of Brazil's 1968 Tropicalia cultural movement and a former Minister of Culture. Menescal is widely recognized as one of the founding figures of bossa nova music in the late 1950s, while Laufey has gained international acclaim for bringing modern jazz-pop to younger audiences.
Electronic and regional stages
Electronic music venue New Dance Order features a late-night lineup starting with Max Styler at 9:05 PM. Leo Janeiro & Simo Not Simon play at 10:30 PM, followed by Aline Rocha at midnight and English DJ Fatboy Slim at 1:30 AM.
At the Espaço Favela stage, Tiee opens at 3:00 PM, Mart'nália performs at 4:50 PM, and Belo headlines at 7:10 PM. The space celebrates popular Rio genre traditions, including pagode and samba, from talent across local communities.
The Supernova stage showcases Maui at 2:30 PM, Melly at 4:00 PM, Zeca Veloso at 6:00 PM, and Alee at 8:10 PM. Meanwhile, the Global Village stage offers performances by Wanda Sá at 3:00 PM, a collaborative set by Joyce Moreno, Leila Pinheiro, and Fernanda Takai at 4:50 PM, and João Bosco at 7:10 PM.
