Police Foil Attack on Lady Gaga Concert in Rio

A group targeting the radicalization of young people had orchestrated the plan. The suspects had recruited concertgoers, including minors, for coordinated attacks with improvised explosive devices and Molotov cocktails, according to the police on Sunday. The concert was attended by 2.1 million fans.

Several concertgoers recruited for attacks, bomb attack planned

The Ministry of Justice stated that the recruiters had posed as members of Gaga's worldwide fan community, known as "Little Monsters." The leader of the group was arrested in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul for illegal possession of weapons, as well as a teenager in Rio de Janeiro for possession of child pornography.

The police also spoke of a planned bomb attack. "The plan was presented as a collective challenge, with the aim of gaining notoriety on social networks," the agency stated. It was primarily directed against children, young people, and the LGBT community.

In the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, and Mato Grosso, 15 search warrants were executed against nine targets. Electronic devices and other evidence were seized. The operation was carried out discreetly to avoid panic and the spread of false information, according to the police.

2.1 million people at free Lady Gaga concert

According to the Rio city administration, 2.1 million people attended the concert of the US pop icon on the famous beach on Saturday. The Brazilian metropolis plans further free concerts of this magnitude. "Brazil, I missed you so much," the singer exclaimed at the start of the free mega concert on Saturday evening (local time). "It is a great honor for me to be here with you tonight. My heart is full. I feel happy, proud, and deeply grateful," said Lady Gaga (39) on stage from a kind of balcony. This was decorated with a Brazilian flag. "Thank you, Brazil. I love you forever!" the singer shouted to the audience.

Scarlet dress with gigantic train

In a scarlet dress with a gigantic train, the pop star took to the giant stage near the Copacabana sand beach to the first notes of her song "Bloody Mary." She then followed with "Abracadabra," one of the main tracks from her current album "Mayhem." During the song, she revealed another dress under the red robe in the colors of the Brazilian national flag: green, blue, and yellow. Before she began her anthem "Born This Way," the pop icon waved a rainbow flag in honor of the LGBTQ community.

The first big hit "Pokerface" was not to be missed during the performance. After "Alejandro," Lady Gaga read a letter to the Brazilian audience. The finale was "Bad Romance" with an a cappella outro.

The concert was announced as the biggest of her career. The approximately two-hour performance was part of the "Todo Mundo no Rio" (Everyone in Rio) series, with which the city administration brings international stars to the coastal metropolis. Lady Gaga had canceled a planned performance at the Rock in Rio music festival in 2017 due to health reasons. The Brazilians had waited more than ten years since her last performance in the South American country, Lady Gaga said.

Superstar Madonna also sends kisses to Brazil

Already on the eve of the concert, the first fans, affectionately called "Little Monsters," came to Copacabana to secure a good spot. According to the city administration, the show attracted around 500,000 tourists to Rio, more than twice as many as expected. Rio's authorities expected revenues of 600 million Real (94 million Euros) for the metropolis. The authorities had anticipated around 1.6 million visitors before the concert - but the actual number far exceeded this estimate according to official figures.

For the concert, the Brazilian authorities implemented massive security measures. More than 5,000 officers were deployed, and drones and facial recognition cameras were used.

Last year, superstar Madonna performed in front of 1.6 million people on Copacabana Beach. It was the conclusion of her world tour "The Celebration Tour," with which the pop icon celebrated 40 years of her career. On the day of Lady Gaga's performance, the "Queen of Pop" wanted to remind of her own concert in Rio. She posted a video clip of the concert and wrote: "Kisses to Brazil!".

Mayor wants to win U2 for a free concert

Rio de Janeiro's Mayor Eduardo Paes has already hinted that he also wants to win the Irish rock band U2 for a free concert. However, he did not initially name a specific date. The largest concert in history also took place in the Brazilian city: More than 3.5 million fans attended a concert by British singer Rod Stewart in 1994.

(APA/Red)

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