By Jay Forte, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Rock in Rio, perhaps the largest music and entertainment event in the world, is back with their 2019 edition, announcing line-up additions and the sale of the ‘Rock in Rio Card’ starting at 7PM on November 12th – which will guarantee entrance before confirmation of all the bands and attractions.
Rock in Rio 2019 will take place on September 27th, 28th and 29th and October 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th, returning to the Cidade do Rock (City of Rock) in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro.
Created by Brazilian businessman Roberto Medina in 1985, it was held again in 1991 and 2001, then after a hiatus returned in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017 – bringing huge crowds and musical acts back to Rio each time.
Starting November 12th, the Rock in Rio Card will be sold, which organizers say is equivalent to an early ticket and guarantees entry to the event before confirmation of all the bands and attractions. They also say the City of Rock will be even bigger in 2019, offering more space and activites for the concert-goers.
Rio native Marcia Haaberg, owner of the Português Carioca language school in Leblon is ready. “I have been to [Rock in Rio] many times, and every time I go, there is something new, even the feeling!”
“From my experience, it’s one of the few concerts in Rio in which people gather together for one reason: have fun! It’s really cool!” Haaberg adds, “It’s always unforgettable. If you go once, you want to go every time it happens. 2019 – here I come again!”
For the 2019 edition, the organization has already announced the return of Metal Day with Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Megadeth, Sepultura and Canto Cego on October 4th. This should please fans that have complained the festival has strayed from its rock roots.
On October 5th, the day dedicated to pop with P! Nk, The Black Eyed Peas, Anitta and a new attraction that will still be announced. Closing the festival, on October 6th, Muse, Imagine Dragons, Nickelback and Os Paralamas do Sucesso.
American expatriate in Rio, and co-owner of the Blue Agave Mexican bar and restaurants, Jason Galeria, is looking forward to the event. “The festival continues to attract huge international names,” Galeria said.
As far as the Rock in Rio Card, he adds, “With the economy as bad as it is right now, I don’t see everyday people buying out the tickets in two hours this time. Only if scalpers or other types of secondary sellers make a move to buy up all the tickets early.”
For those who want to purchase, best to plan ahead as during the last editions, the sale was closed in less than two hours, when the 120,000 available tickets sold out. The sale of tickets will be made by the site rockinrio.ingresso.com.
For the edition of Rock in Rio 2019, the entrance fee will be R$495 and R$247.50 (half-price exceptions), limited to four tickets per CPF (which is required). Payment can be made by credit card and the installment amount up to six times. Itaú Customers who make the payment with credit cards Itaucard and Credicard have a fifteen percent discount.
Those who purchase the Rock in Rio Card can choose which dates they plan to use it for, before the official sale of tickets is open to the general public in April next year – the choice can be made between February 6th and April 8th.
The entrance to the Rock in Rio allows access to all areas and attractions of Cidade do Rock. As in the 2017 edition, the Rock in Rio Card wristband will arrive via DHL in a custom box at the address indicated at the time of purchase.
Correction: This article has been updated on November 6th, to reflect the Rock in Rio events held in 1991 and 2001, as well as the original in 1985.