Glastonbury is big. Rock In Rio is bigger.
While you can debate which festival has the better event or the bigger lineup this Brazilian event attracts more punters than any other music festival in the world.
First held in Rio de Janeiro in 1985 this irregularly held event attracted 1.5 million people with two live shows each by Queen, ACDC and Rod Stewart amongst many other names attracting record crowds.
Of the four Rio de Janeiro events 1991 and 2011 attracted a smaller audience of 700,000 people. But their lineups were no less impressive. The former booked Prince, INXS, Guns N’ Roses and Carlos Santana, while the 2011 event boasted the likes of Elton John, Slipknot, Metallica, Stevie Wonder and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
As the festival has expanded to Lisbon, Portugal with five events since 2004 and Madrid, Spain with three music celebrations since 2008 diversity has become the key.
While initially a rock music festival as its name suggests the lineups have progressively become varied with electronic, heavy metal and pop acts included in the mix. Needless to say it’s not so strange to see the likes of Maroon 5, Metallica and Bruce Springsteen on the same bill as the Lisbon event was billed in 2012.
While Rock In Rio is held in different cities sporadically a 2015 event will be held in Rio, while Argentina will get their own version of the festival in Buenos Aires in 2014.
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The success of this enormous music festival isn’t just poured back into future events. Rock In Rio has a proud history of being environmentally sustainable, while also putting funds into helping disadvantaged people, not just in their own backyard, but across the world (you can read up on their past achievements and future charitable projects by following this link).
The festival has always seen itself as an activator of change. When it began in 1985, as the country first started taking steps towards democracy, it was the first event of its kind in Brazil.
The original site is now a 250 thousand square meters purpose built for the festival.
Given the state of Brazil when the festival started its remarkable that this event has expanded and grown to the point of being one of the biggest music festivals in the world.
Lineup
Diversity is the key of Rock In Rio’s lineup. With each day the festival caters for a different music fan. There are few people that this event isn’t trying to attract.
Pop and dance lovers the first day of Rock In Rio is for you. Queen pop diva Beyonce and the king of dancefloor collaborations David Guetta top the bill. Saturday features once much smaller indie acts that are now mainstream crossovers. While 30 Seconds To Mars and Muse will play material from their latest albums, Florence + The Machine will play one of their few gigs in 2013 in Brazil
While the following day has the likes Justin Timberlake and Alicia Keys fulfilling the dreams of pop lovers, Metallica, Alice In Chains, Iron Maiden and Slayer will provide some heavy rock energy over two separate days.
But at the pinnacle of this bill is The Boss. Bruce Springsteen and his E Street band will play their last known dates on their worldwide Wrecking Ball Tour.
Check out the full lineup here.
When Is It?
Brazil’s biggest music event will be held from the 13th to the 22nd of September.
Where Is It?
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Rock In Rio is outside of the CBD of the Brazilian metropolis of Rio De Janeiro in what the festival has deemed Rock City.
Want to take a virtual tour of Rock City? Watch this interactive video:
How To Get There?
For Australians to experience Rock In Rio you have to work for it. That ‘work’ for travellers departing from Australian cities is a trip that will take more than 30 hours with at least one stop depending on where you’re flying.
Read below for an estimated pricing of return flights from the following cities:
Adelaide: $2700 for two stops.
Brisbane: $2500 for two stops, $3000 for one.
Melbourne: $2500 for two stops, $2900 for one.
Perth: $3000 for two stops, $2500 for one.
Sydney: $2500 for two stops, $2900 for one.
The airlines that fly to Brazil include Aerolíneas Argentinas, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, LAN, Qantas and United Airlines.
The flights may be long but getting to the festival once in Rio is a breeze. Rock In Rio narrows your choice of transport by unequivocally making punters take transport busses to the event. As all access roads are blocked for cars, taxis and vans you don’t have a choice and that isn’t such a bad thing.
Depending on where you’re staying punters will need to access Rio’s public transport bus system to get to the festival. To organise your route click here.
For ticket holders there are also several locations to access first class bus services for return journeys. This service is valued at the very affordable price of about $25. Buy your first class bus tickets here.
Where To Stay?
Rio De Janeiro is not only Brazil’s but also one of the continents biggest tourism centres. What that means for you is that there are numerous hostel choices for travellers.
One of the best things about hostels in Rio De Janeiro and other parts of South American is that they’re affordable while still being high quality places of accommodation.
Some of our top hostel picks include Harmonia, Walk On The Beach, Lemon Spirit, Books Hostel and Lisetonga Hostel.
How To Get Tickets
Tickets for each of the seven days are valued at around $126. Given those huge names it wouldn’t be too much of an exaggeration to label this Brazilian festival as one of the most affordable events for foreign travellers.
To purchase your tickets follow this link.
Insider Tips & Things You Should Know
The gates of Rock In Rio open at 2pm and close at 3am. All buses leave and return hourly.
While the World Stage features the big names don’t forget to experience the Sunset and Electronic stages to experience some South American music makers.
On Rock Street inside Rock City you can experience Irish step dancing, a Beatles cover band and 60 other artists each day. Rock Street will also feature magic cartoon artists, bagpipes, juggling, burlesque and plenty of other attractions.
As with any festival its important to keep hydrated and wear sunscreen. But for Rock In Rio, which is the most populated festival site in the world, these common sense practices are all the more important. Not to mention the fact you won’t have a hope in hell in getting any phone reception so stick close to your friends.
For more details head to Rock In Rio’s Official Website:
