Artists Will Use Hits to Make Rock in Rio Concerts a 'Karaoke'

09/09/2013 - 08h31

Next Friday, some 85,000 people will be at Cidade do Rock, on the opening night of the fifth Brazilian edition of Rock in Rio. With Ivete Sangalo and Beyoncé on the first of seven nights of the festival, the audience will dance and jump. And, of course, sing a lot.

Powerful "hitmakers," they will provide karaoke moments for the huge crowd. They know well the power of some of the songs much anticipated by the audience, ready to sing along.

It is moment of total show business cliché, when singers point their microphones to the crowd, saying something like "I want to hear you guys now!," in any language.
On the first week of Rock in Rio, such vocal interaction will not be so strong. On Saturday and Sunday, the "sensitive" British band Muse and trendy American singer Justin Timberlake will be the respective headliners. They will win over the crowd more by their overall work - and the girls' sighs - than by one or another unquestionably sticky song.

With the possible exception of one or two female backing vocalists, it's just boys on the Mundo stage. And they are not so young, as all the main attractions are in their fifties.

On Thursday, September 19, Metallica closes the night - the "baby" James Hetfield is 50 years old. The next day, Jon Bon Jovi is still a good-looking rock star at the age of 51.

On Saturday, the festival's "elder statesman," Bruce Springsteen: aged 63, his concerts usually last three to four hours! On Sunday, closing the festival, Bruce Dickinson, 55, sings Iron Maiden's hits for all ages.

The audience's "backing vocal" comes in handy for these mature vocalists who, understandably, cannot hold their fierce rock cries as they did decades ago.

ROCK IN RIO 2013

WHEN: September 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21 and 22
WHERE: Cidade do Rock, Rio de Janeiro
HOW MUCH: tickets sold out

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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