By Beatriz Miranda, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The day rock music lovers have been pumped for has finally come: Rock in Rio 2017, the largest music festival in Brazil, officially opens today, September 15th, at Parque Olímpico (Olympic Park) in Barra de Tijuca. During seven days, over 150 attractions from across the world to perform from 2PM until the late hours.
As usual, all the five traditional music stages will be found at Cidade do Rock this year, which are: Palco Mundo (World Stage), Sunset Stage, Rock Street, “Eletrônica” and Street Dance.
Additionally, brand new venues for games’ lovers, digital world’s enthusiasts and fans of nostalgic shows will also take part of this edition with the Games XP arenas, the Digital Stage and the Rock District, respectively.
While the Palco Mundo is the festival’s headliner stage, hosting the most anticipated Brazilian and international attractions, the other stages’ line ups are also full of great surprises, usually bringing artists and DJs as talented as the ones performing on the main venue.
As the name suggests, the Palco Sunset entertains the audience with live music until the sun goes down. Known for hosting Rock in Rio’s more alternative, indie line up, this stage normally attracts the audience who looks for a less mainstream music vibe. There, one can easily listen to reggae, MPB, folk, R&B, among other rhythms.
At the Electronic stage, renowned international and local DJs transform Rock in Rio into a true rave-style dance floor, with genres like trance, techno and dub running the place throughout the night. For the urban music culture lovers, the Street Dance stage is a very fun experience, promoting several dance battles, improvisations and group performances.
Those attending to Rock in Rio for the first time will notice that many of these attractions occur simultaneously, with some of them only happening at a specific time (like the Electronic Stage, which only opens late in the evening). In order not to miss your favorite attractions, click here to check the line up of the day.
At this year’s edition, one of the most promising venues is certainly the Rock Street, whose line up and decoration are all inspired in Africa. This Friday, September 15th, some must-see performances are Fredy Massamba’s, singer from the Republic of Congo, at 3:30 PM; and Tyous Gnaoua’s, a Moroccan traditional band that sings in Arabian and Bambara, at 8PM.
The ones in the party mood on Saturday, September 16th, should definitely check out DJ João Brasil’s creative mashups at the Eletrônica stage, at 10PM. Famous for blending supposedly opposite music genres, like The Beatles’s rock with Brazilian 2000s funk, Brasil can be the perfect warming up for Maroon 5’s show, at 12:25 AM.
The Sunset stage is one of this Sunday’s greatest bets, with Brazilian singers Johnny Hooker, Liniker and Almério presenting a gender paradigm-breaking show at 4:30 PM, and MPB singer Maria Rita performing along with Melody Gardot, jazz and blues singer from New Jersey, at 6PM.
Those attending to Rock in Rio next Saturday, September 23rd, cannot miss the shows of Bomba Estéreo with Karol Conka, at 6PM, and American R&B singer CeeLo Green with IZA, a hip hop and pop singer from Rio’s periphery.
At Rock in Rio 2017, one can find culinary options for all tastes and budgets. If comfort, quality and sophistication is what you are looking for, the Gourmet Square, a 1,000 square-meter area for 500 people, includes high-standard restaurants signed by renowned chefs like Roberta Sudbrack, Jimmy Ogro and Pedro Benoliel.
The venue also offers options for vegans with the hyped restaurants Açougue Vegano and Gouranga Veggie. For the ones looking for more affordable options, hot dog, pizza and burgers can also be found at the Gourmet Square.
If you prefer taking your own food to the festival, every person can enter with a maximum of five eatable items, however no bottles of any kind are allowed to enter the venue. For more information about the forbidden items, click here.
Just like the previous editions, the only way to get to Cidade do Rock, in the Olympic Park, is via public transportation. Thus, the MetrôRio and the BRT will be working 24 hours during the days of event (with departure from the Jardim Oceânico station).
All passengers are supposed to drop off at the “Terminal Olímpico” BRT station, the closest stop to Cidade do Rock. Also, once can purchase a First Class bus ticket, which takes the passengers straight to Cidade do Rock from their neighborhood. Both the MetrôRio + BRT tickets or the First Class bus pass must be bought in advance.
Co-founder of Rio tourism company Jinga Experience, Evan Farr, offered some tips for going to Rock in Rio this year, first “Give yourself at least 1:30-2 hours to get to the festival. And the best way is by metro and the BRT connection. The roads will have limited car access and a lot of traffic.”
Farr also shared, “Come prepared with snacks and sandwiches!” and “Wear sneakers, because the ground may get wet and it’s easier to dance and jump around!”