As has happened in previous editions, the Rock in Rio organizers have once again created a warm-upevent, which is nothing more than a sort of “test” of almost all the infrastructures of this event summer music festival, which this year moved with arms and luggage to the new Tagus and Trancão Urban Park.
Rock in Rio has already closed the poster for the edition celebrating 20 years in Portugal and we were invited to see first-hand how preparations are going for another great summer festival.
And we were quite surprised by the new space!
The “mass” is different now!
If you remember, the new Parque Urbano do Tejo e do Trancão was “designed” to welcome Pope Francis last year, and was then transformed into a area that hosted the Lisbon Academic Week, albeit in a different location and without good results in terms of attendance.
In a bet that has more to do with the comfort of all festival-goers than with the space, which really has the conditions to accommodate many more people than Parque da Bela Vista, the Rock in Rio organization decided to “take a risk” by moving its entire structure to this part of the city.
And from what we saw, they did very well! Just the view of the Tagus, from where the backdrop of the river and the Vasco da Gama Bridge behind the World Stage, make all the difference when it comes to beauty.
But it’s not just in terms of aesthetics that bringing the festival to the northern part of the city is so important Parque das Nações it could be well worth it!
In fact, there is much more space for everyone to move around freely, the entrance, with a large sign saying “Rock in Rio”, will be a point of interest for the usual photos, the stands are “generously” larger, as are the catering areas – spread throughout the venue – which are friendlier to those who don’t like queuing to eat or drink.
Of course, this was an event with far fewer people and we can’t say exactly what it will be like on the days of the festival, which takes place on June 15, 16, 22 and 23, but we believe that walking around the park and amusements will be much more enjoyable than in other editions.
Are the stages still the same?
Yes and no! You’ll still be able to attend concerts and entertainment events on the Palco Mundo, Palco Galp and Palco Super Bock Digital Stage, , and this year a new space has been built for musical performances: the Palco Tejo, which will host mainly national artists, in addition to some prominent international names.
The new stage is very beautiful and is located next to the Giant Ferris Wheel. It also has a slight slope that gives it the appearance of a small amphitheater, which could be great for watching concerts that will take place here.
The World Stage, which retains the same appearance as in previous years with its large white boards, will feature artists such as Scorpions, Evanescence, Ed Sheeran, Jonas Brothers, Doja Cat, Camila Cabello, Xutos & Pontapés and Ivete Sangalo.
It is also on this stage that, every day before the last artist performs, there will be a video mappingshow with the official Rock in Rio music and fireworks, in partnership with the company OCUBO, which has developed the graphics that will be displayed on the famous giant screens of this huge stage.
We’ve already seen it and, although it was very well developed, we didn’ t know much about it!
As for the Galp Stage, already a regular presence as one of the festival’s official sponsors, it retains its colorful structure and dynamics.
Europe, Hybrid Theory, Jack Bugg, James, Luiza Sonza and Pedro Sampaio are just some of the names that will be here over the four days of the festival. But there are many other surprises!
What’s left is the well-known stage for conversations, debates and social platforms, the Super Bock Digital Stage, which every day hosts not only good music but also lots of entertainment, especially stand-up comedy and DJ sessions .
You know the whole program!
In addition to the stages, the food and drink areas such as the Chefs Garden, the VIP tent, the 12 toilets for non-binary people, the stands and many other entertainment areas that you are sure to explore, we challenge you to go down the well-known abseil next to the main stage or ride the Ferris wheel, two of the main attractions of this summer music festival.
We also invite you to visit a new area of Rock in Rio, “All in Rio”, where you can win eight friendship bracelets, each with a different theme: Love, Education, Future, Planet, Dreams, Peace, Rights and Respect.
Don’t miss the traditional Rock Street, this year with a completely new look; or Route 85, where you’ll find the Somersby Cupid House and the School of Rock CineStage, spaces with constant entertainment for all tastes and ages.
There are more than enough new features in this edition of Rock in Rio, although many of the attractions will remain the same to the delight of all festival-goers.
In addition to all this, the organization provides buses directly from Gare do Oriente to the festival site, as well as a mobile application (iOS a Android) with all kinds of information that you might need before, during and after this great musical event in Lisbon.
Good concerts. Have fun!