Thirty years after it first launched in 1985, Rock in Rio returned home for its 2015 edition. More than 150 artists performed over seven non-consecutive days from Sept. 18-27 at Brazil’s fabled Cidade do Rock (“City of Rock”), which organizers built in Rio’s Barra de Tijuca neighborhood specifically for the festival. In celebration of the 30th anniversary, several artists who performed in the original 1985 lineup returned, including Queen (with Adam Lambert) and Rod Stewart while Rihanna and Katy Perry both returned for encores after their 2011 performance here, and Sam Smith made his debut. Click on for photos from the massive music event.
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Thirty years after it first launched in 1985, Rock In Rio returned home for its 2015 edition. More than 150 artists performed over seven non-consecutive days from Sept. 18-27 at Brazil’s fabled Cidade do Rock (“City of Rock”), which organizers built in Rio’s Barra de Tijuca neighborhood specifically for the festival. In celebration of the 30th anniversary, several artists who performed in the original 1985 lineup returned, including Queen (with Adam Lambert) and Rod Stewart while Rihanna (pictured, who closed the penultimate night of Rock on Sept. 26) and Katy Perry both returned for encores after their 2011 performance here, and Sam Smith made his debut. Click on for photos from the massive music event.
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Metallica are Rock in Rio veterans. They’ve performed at the fest at least six times.
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Queen was one of the most memorable performances from the first Rock in Rio in 1985. The group returned in 2015 with Adam Lambert on vocals.
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Elton John performed at Rock in Rio’s World Stage Sept. 20.
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This is Katy Perry’s second time at Rock in Rio. Perry is in the midst of a South American tour that includes Colombia, Chile and Argentina.
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Rod Stewart’s 16-track setlist included “It’s a Heartache” and “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy.”
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Yep, that’s Johnny Depp on guitar, performing alongside Joe Perry of Aerosmith in the rock supergroup The Hollywood Vampires (which also includes Alice Cooper).
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Seal wows the crowd at Rock in Rio.
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Sam Smith makes his Rock in Rio debut.
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Motley Crue performed on Sept. 19, sharing the stage with Metallica.
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One Republic performs with an image of Rio’s iconic Cristo Redentor statue in the backdrop.
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More than 595,000 tickets were sold for the 2015 home edition of Rock in Rio.
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1980s pop veterans A-Ha perform at Rock in Rio.
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Alice Cooper hits the stage with The Hollywood Vampires.