By Lisa Flueckiger and Chesney Hearst, Contributing Reporters
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – American superstars from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs descended upon Rio de Janeiro for the Circuito Banco do Brasil Festival this weekend. Over 40,000 people made their way to Barra da Tijuca’s massive Parque dos Atletas, where the Rock in Rio festival was held, to enjoy great shows and the fourth stage of the Brazilian half-pipe skate competition.
Brazilian heavyweights Detonautas and Titãs opened the show for the international headliners. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs entered the stage at 9:30 PM, making the audience vibrate with an energetic performance. Charismatic lead singer Karen O donned a colorful outfit, while she jumped and screamed to some of the New York city-based band’s greatest hits. Karen O and guitarist Nick Zinner closed their show with a bang, smashing their microphones and guitar against the ground.
Last on stage were the California natives from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. With a career that spans over thirty years, RHCP matched the Yeah Yeah Yeahs energy with singer Anthony Kiedis speeding around the stage as legendary bassist, Flea, jumped along. The setlist included some of their most famous songs, such as “Californication,” “Otherside,” “By the Way” and “Dani California.”
