By Beatriz Miranda, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The final countdown to the Rock in Rio 2017 festival has already started, and is now opening in under three weeks. On September 15th, 16th, 17th and 21th to 24th, the greatest music festival in Rio de Janeiro will be back in Barra da Tijuca.
Organizers recently announced some innovations for this edition, including a stage for influential YouTubers, a wheelchair dancer and a drag queen performer.
Dedicated to all genres of the urban dance, the Street Dance stage is a classic attraction in the Rock in Rio festival, promoting daily dance performances with several international and Brazilian artists.
With the aim of embracing the diversity in dance, this edition invites to the Street Dance stage the group Andef, exclusively composed of wheelchair dancers; the wheelchair BBoy Wellington, from Espírito Santo; and a drag queen performer.
Wellington will be dancing as a member of the Rock in Rio Dance Crew, the Street Dance stage’s resident group, while Andef will perform on the seven days of event. The line up promises to include dance battles and choreographies inspired in Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Guns n’Roses, The Who and Aerosmith.
One can also appreciate the graffiti illustrations at the stage’s scenography, which will be painted by artists Toz, Tinho, Mateu Velasco, Ramon Martins and BR.
What’s more, this is the first Rock in Rio edition to set up a stage exclusively dedicated to digital influencers. Several internet trendsetters from YouTube, blogs and games will be participating in musical presentations, chats, dubbing battle, quiz sessions and magic shows. The Digital Stage’s line up will be fully broadcast by Multishow’s YouTube channel.
“Rock in Rio is a festival for all, and entertainment is about many different platforms of content. To translate this online content to the live experience is a way to keep innovating, stimulating the audience diversity and promoting new experiences in Rock in Rio”, says Luis Justo, Rock in Rio’s CEO.
Digital influencers like Gusta Stockler, Luiza Sonza, Gabi Luthai, Pipocando, Pyong Lee, Malena, Parafernalha, Fit Dance, Kondzilla are some of the confirmed attractions for the stage.
Rock in Rio 2017 will also release an informative app, which will include the timetable for all the attractions, tips for transportation, general information about the food court, bathrooms and stores and the latest news from the event. An interactive map, allowing people to find their friends, for example, will also be available in the app.
“We are launching the app for people to make the most of their Rock in Rio experience. Through the app, it is possible to create a personalized agenda and share it with friends. The tool is the best way to know what is on”, says Roberta Medina, vice president of Rock in Rio.
Considered one of the biggest music festivals in the world, Rock in Rio was founded in 1985. After seven years away from Rio de Janeiro, having been promoted in cities like Lisbon and Madrid, Rock in Rio is back to the city since 2011.
Steve Wonder, Shakira, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Freddie Mercury are some of the names who have already performed at the event. Some of the confirmed artists for this year’s edition are Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, The Who and Guns ‘n’ Roses.
What: Rock in Rio 2017
When: September 15th, 16th, 17th and 21th to 24th – see venue to check time details
Where: Parque Olímpico – Avenida Embaixador Abelardo Bueno, 3401 – Barra da Tijuca
Entrance: see venue for price details