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0 / 32 Fotos
Monsters of Rock: Moscow (1991)
- The metal festival takes place in several parts of the world. The 1991 edition in Moscow featured legendary bands like Mötley Crüe, AC/DC, and Metallica, all free of charge. Estimated crowd: 1.6 million.
© Getty Images
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Monsters of Rock: Moscow (1991) - Because they knew how crowded it would be, the event organizers chose the aviation camp Tushino Airfield, in the suburbs of Moscow, as the perfect place.
© Getty Images
2 / 32 Fotos
Monsters of Rock: Moscow (1991) - The festival was historic not only for the year and place it happened (the Soviet Union was about to dissolve), but because of the unbeatable lineup. Huge names like the Black Crowes and Pantera also performed.
© Getty Images
3 / 32 Fotos
Love Parade: Dortmund (2008)
- The event in Germany was one of the biggest electronic music festivals in the world. Estimated crowd: 1.6 million.
© Getty Images
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Love Parade: Dortmund (2008)
- Popular DJs such as Paul van Dyk, Carl Cox, Armin van Buuren, and Tiësto were among the performers.
© Getty Images
5 / 32 Fotos
Love Parade: Duisburg (2010) - In 2010, Love Parade had a tragic ending in Duisburg, Germany: a stampede resulted in 21 deaths and hundreds of injuries. After that, the event was canceled.
© Reuters
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Rolling Stones: Rio de Janeiro (2006) - Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, and Charlie Watts put on a huge show at Copacabana Beach. Estimated crowd: 1.5 million.
© Reuters
7 / 32 Fotos
Rolling Stones: Rio de Janeiro (2006)
- The concert was free and the stage was 80 feet (24 meters high), which is the equivalent of an eight-story building. It was also 230 feet (70 meters) wide.
© Getty Images
8 / 32 Fotos
Paz Sin Fronteras II: Havana (2009) - Paz Sin Fronteras ("Peace Without Borders") was the second of a series of charity shows in Havana, Cuba. Estimated crowd: 1.1 million.
© Reuters
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Paz Sin Fronteras II: Havana (2009) - Also free of charge, the event was organized by Colombian singer Juanes.
© Reuters
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Paz Sin Fronteras II: Havana (2009) - The event featured 14 artists from Cuba, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Spain.
© Reuters
11 / 32 Fotos
Live 8: Philadelphia (2005) - This event was part of a series of concerts that took place before the G8 Summit. Different editions happened in G8 countries as well as South Africa.
© Reuters
12 / 32 Fotos
Live 8: Philadelphia (2005) - The biggest one took place in Philadelphia, with Destiny's Child among the most popular artists. Estimated crowd: 1.5 million.
© Getty Images
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Live 8: Philadelphia (2005) - The lineup was extraordinary, with shows from Bon Jovi, the Black Eyed Peas, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Maroon 5, Keith Urban, and Dave Matthews Band, among others.
© Reuters
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New York Philharmonic: New York (1986) - The world's most popular orchestra also managed to gather a whopping number of spectators. Estimated crowd: 800,000.
© Reuters
15 / 32 Fotos
New York Philharmonic: New York (1986) - The event took place in Central Park to celebrate the Statue of Liberty's 100th anniversary.
© Reuters
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Garth Brooks: New York (1997) - The country music star put on a huge show at Central Park in 1997. Estimated crowd: 750,000-1 million
© Reuters
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Garth Brooks: New York (1997) - The crowd went crazy for the cameos from Billy Joel and Don McLean. The event was nicknamed "Garthstock."
© Reuters
18 / 32 Fotos
US Festival: San Bernardino (1983)
- Apple's co-founder Steve Wozniak, along with promotor Bill Graham, promoted this mega festival in San Bernardino, California, that happened both in 1982 and 1983. The final edition gathered a massive audience. Estimated crowd: 670,000 people.
© Getty Images
19 / 32 Fotos
US Festival: San Bernardino (1983)
- The event's lineup was truly incredible, featuring names such as Ozzy Osbourne, Scorpions, INXS, Judas Priest, U2, Van Halen, the Pretenders, and even David Bowie.
© Getty Images
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Isle of Wight Festival (1970) - The festival, which takes place in the Isle of Wight (UK), also had its glory days. Estimated crowd: 600,000.
© Getty Images
21 / 32 Fotos
Isle of Wight Festival (1970) - That edition in 1970 will forever be remembered for Jimi Hendrix's final performance.
© Getty Images
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Isle of Wight Festival (1970) - He was also joined by the Doors, the Who, Joni Mitchell, and Miles Davis, among other heavyweight artists.
© Getty Images
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Woodstock: Bethel (1969) - This was one of the most legendary festivals of all time. It all went down in Bethel in the State of New York. Estimated crowd: 450,000.
© Getty Images
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Woodstock: Bethel (1969) - Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Joan Baez, Joe Cocker, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, the Who, and Santana were the stars of the event.
© Getty Images
25 / 32 Fotos
Woodstock: Bethel (1969)
- The 1970 documentary 'Woodstock' featured a live soundtrack from the festival and its best moments. It even won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature.
© Getty Images
26 / 32 Fotos
Rod Stewart: Rio de Janeiro (1994)
- One of the biggest shows of all time was the British artist's 1994 concert in Brazil. Estimated crowd: 3.5 million.
© Getty Images
27 / 32 Fotos
Rod Stewart: Rio de Janeiro (1994) - The historic New Year's Eve show in Copacabana was actually free. Rod Stewart hasn't managed to break his own record anywhere else since then!
© Getty Images
28 / 32 Fotos
Jean-Michel Jarre: Moscow (1997) - Tied with Rod Stewart is the French DJ Jean-Michel Jarre, who put on a huge show to celebrate the 850th anniversary of Moscow. Estimated crowd: 3.5 million.
© Getty Images
29 / 32 Fotos
Jean-Michel Jarre: Moscow (1997)
- The artist, who put on the concert at a university campus, enjoyed plenty of success with his album 'Oxygène.' He also recorded the DVD 'Oxygène in Moscow' (1997) during this historic set.
© Getty Images
30 / 32 Fotos
Jean-Michel Jarre: Paris (1990)
- Before that, the DJ (known as a new age pioneer) performed a legendary show in Paris for Bastille Day. Estimated crowd: 2.5 million. Sources: (WorldAtlas) (All Top Everything) (Radio X)
© Getty Images
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© Getty Images
0 / 32 Fotos
Monsters of Rock: Moscow (1991)
- The metal festival takes place in several parts of the world. The 1991 edition in Moscow featured legendary bands like Mötley Crüe, AC/DC, and Metallica, all free of charge. Estimated crowd: 1.6 million.
© Getty Images
1 / 32 Fotos
Monsters of Rock: Moscow (1991) - Because they knew how crowded it would be, the event organizers chose the aviation camp Tushino Airfield, in the suburbs of Moscow, as the perfect place.
© Getty Images
2 / 32 Fotos
Monsters of Rock: Moscow (1991) - The festival was historic not only for the year and place it happened (the Soviet Union was about to dissolve), but because of the unbeatable lineup. Huge names like the Black Crowes and Pantera also performed.
© Getty Images
3 / 32 Fotos
Love Parade: Dortmund (2008)
- The event in Germany was one of the biggest electronic music festivals in the world. Estimated crowd: 1.6 million.
© Getty Images
4 / 32 Fotos
Love Parade: Dortmund (2008)
- Popular DJs such as Paul van Dyk, Carl Cox, Armin van Buuren, and Tiësto were among the performers.
© Getty Images
5 / 32 Fotos
Love Parade: Duisburg (2010) - In 2010, Love Parade had a tragic ending in Duisburg, Germany: a stampede resulted in 21 deaths and hundreds of injuries. After that, the event was canceled.
© Reuters
6 / 32 Fotos
Rolling Stones: Rio de Janeiro (2006) - Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, and Charlie Watts put on a huge show at Copacabana Beach. Estimated crowd: 1.5 million.
© Reuters
7 / 32 Fotos
Rolling Stones: Rio de Janeiro (2006)
- The concert was free and the stage was 80 feet (24 meters high), which is the equivalent of an eight-story building. It was also 230 feet (70 meters) wide.
© Getty Images
8 / 32 Fotos
Paz Sin Fronteras II: Havana (2009) - Paz Sin Fronteras ("Peace Without Borders") was the second of a series of charity shows in Havana, Cuba. Estimated crowd: 1.1 million.
© Reuters
9 / 32 Fotos
Paz Sin Fronteras II: Havana (2009) - Also free of charge, the event was organized by Colombian singer Juanes.
© Reuters
10 / 32 Fotos
Paz Sin Fronteras II: Havana (2009) - The event featured 14 artists from Cuba, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Spain.
© Reuters
11 / 32 Fotos
Live 8: Philadelphia (2005) - This event was part of a series of concerts that took place before the G8 Summit. Different editions happened in G8 countries as well as South Africa.
© Reuters
12 / 32 Fotos
Live 8: Philadelphia (2005) - The biggest one took place in Philadelphia, with Destiny's Child among the most popular artists. Estimated crowd: 1.5 million.
© Getty Images
13 / 32 Fotos
Live 8: Philadelphia (2005) - The lineup was extraordinary, with shows from Bon Jovi, the Black Eyed Peas, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Maroon 5, Keith Urban, and Dave Matthews Band, among others.
© Reuters
14 / 32 Fotos
New York Philharmonic: New York (1986) - The world's most popular orchestra also managed to gather a whopping number of spectators. Estimated crowd: 800,000.
© Reuters
15 / 32 Fotos
New York Philharmonic: New York (1986) - The event took place in Central Park to celebrate the Statue of Liberty's 100th anniversary.
© Reuters
16 / 32 Fotos
Garth Brooks: New York (1997) - The country music star put on a huge show at Central Park in 1997. Estimated crowd: 750,000-1 million
© Reuters
17 / 32 Fotos
Garth Brooks: New York (1997) - The crowd went crazy for the cameos from Billy Joel and Don McLean. The event was nicknamed "Garthstock."
© Reuters
18 / 32 Fotos
US Festival: San Bernardino (1983)
- Apple's co-founder Steve Wozniak, along with promotor Bill Graham, promoted this mega festival in San Bernardino, California, that happened both in 1982 and 1983. The final edition gathered a massive audience. Estimated crowd: 670,000 people.
© Getty Images
19 / 32 Fotos
US Festival: San Bernardino (1983)
- The event's lineup was truly incredible, featuring names such as Ozzy Osbourne, Scorpions, INXS, Judas Priest, U2, Van Halen, the Pretenders, and even David Bowie.
© Getty Images
20 / 32 Fotos
Isle of Wight Festival (1970) - The festival, which takes place in the Isle of Wight (UK), also had its glory days. Estimated crowd: 600,000.
© Getty Images
21 / 32 Fotos
Isle of Wight Festival (1970) - That edition in 1970 will forever be remembered for Jimi Hendrix's final performance.
© Getty Images
22 / 32 Fotos
Isle of Wight Festival (1970) - He was also joined by the Doors, the Who, Joni Mitchell, and Miles Davis, among other heavyweight artists.
© Getty Images
23 / 32 Fotos
Woodstock: Bethel (1969) - This was one of the most legendary festivals of all time. It all went down in Bethel in the State of New York. Estimated crowd: 450,000.
© Getty Images
24 / 32 Fotos
Woodstock: Bethel (1969) - Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Joan Baez, Joe Cocker, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, the Who, and Santana were the stars of the event.
© Getty Images
25 / 32 Fotos
Woodstock: Bethel (1969)
- The 1970 documentary 'Woodstock' featured a live soundtrack from the festival and its best moments. It even won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature.
© Getty Images
26 / 32 Fotos
Rod Stewart: Rio de Janeiro (1994)
- One of the biggest shows of all time was the British artist's 1994 concert in Brazil. Estimated crowd: 3.5 million.
© Getty Images
27 / 32 Fotos
Rod Stewart: Rio de Janeiro (1994) - The historic New Year's Eve show in Copacabana was actually free. Rod Stewart hasn't managed to break his own record anywhere else since then!
© Getty Images
28 / 32 Fotos
Jean-Michel Jarre: Moscow (1997) - Tied with Rod Stewart is the French DJ Jean-Michel Jarre, who put on a huge show to celebrate the 850th anniversary of Moscow. Estimated crowd: 3.5 million.
© Getty Images
29 / 32 Fotos
Jean-Michel Jarre: Moscow (1997)
- The artist, who put on the concert at a university campus, enjoyed plenty of success with his album 'Oxygène.' He also recorded the DVD 'Oxygène in Moscow' (1997) during this historic set.
© Getty Images
30 / 32 Fotos
Jean-Michel Jarre: Paris (1990)
- Before that, the DJ (known as a new age pioneer) performed a legendary show in Paris for Bastille Day. Estimated crowd: 2.5 million. Sources: (WorldAtlas) (All Top Everything) (Radio X)
© Getty Images
31 / 32 Fotos
The biggest concerts of all time
Madonna performed in front of 1.6 million fans on Rio's Copacabana beach
© Getty Images
Many concerts are attended by huge numbers of people, but can you imagine being part of a crowd of millions, all singing at the same time? Few musicians have the opportunity or the ability to perform in front of such an enormous audience, but it's not unheard of!
On May 4, 2024, Madonna played the biggest concert of her life. The Queen of Pop made sure her Celebration World Tour went out with a bang, making the final show a free concert on Rio de Janeiro's famous Copacabana beach in Brazil. The chaos began days before the show as thousands of fans clamored outside her hotel. Rio City Hall’s tourism agency stated that 1.6 million people partied with the 65-year-old music legend — by far the largest audience in her four-decade career. Her previous record attendance was 130,000 fans at Paris’ Parc des Sceaux in 1987. The Celebration tour was her first retrospective and fans were treated to all of her greatest hits, along with countless costume changes paying tribute to her most iconic looks. She was even joined on stage by some of Brazil's biggest pop stars; Anitta and Pabllo Vittar.
Despite the incredible number of attendees at Madonna's content, the record-breaking single artist still had more than double. Click on to find out who was able to rustle up 3.5 million fans, and discover the other most highly-attended performances of all time.
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