The senior American group Guns N’ Roses and the remarkable Italian band Maneskin energize Rock in Rio this Thursday, signaling the start of a new edition that promises a powerful classic rock rhythm. After three days focused on metal, rap, and pop, the festival returns to a traditional rock sound on a night when Guns N’ Roses delivered a tour that craved a legendary live experience. Earlier, the California pop punk act also graced the festival’s main stage, with Baby and Brazilian veterans CPM 22 joining the lineup on Sunset, one of the festival’s second stages, while Corinne Bailey Rae and Jessie J impressed audiences as well.
In contrast to its 2017 edition in Brazil, where the group played for over three hours into the early morning, the fifth Rock in Rio set for Guns N’ Roses was shorter, though packed with their most iconic moments. There were no delays this time, a common complaint from past editions, as the band took the stage just after midnight for a concert that highlighted Slash, who returned to the lineup after reconciling with Axl Rose. Slash delivered standout solos and memorable riffs that kept the energy blazing through the night. Some fans felt the vocalist did not quite match the band’s peak years, but the show remained a showcase for the guitarist’s skills.
Guns N’ Roses has offered few new songs in recent years, turning most of the set into a nostalgic journey with staples like It’s So Easy, Mr. Brownstone, and Chinese Democracy returning to the live scene only when Slash took center stage. The band followed up with a string of their biggest hits, including Welcome to the Jungle and Rocket Queen, along with a live rendition of Live and Let Die originally by Paul McCartney. Despite the tight schedule, the performance thrilled the sizeable crowd, with around 100,000 attendees soaking in the Thursday night spectacle.
The people of Maneskin are ringing
The Italians from Maneskin, relatively new to the Brazilian scene, have earned admiration from audiences eager to see the group hailed as one of the rock scene’s most exciting revelations after their Eurovision victory and recent MTV EMA best group award. The band began their show with Zitti e Buoni, but quickly moved into Beggin, a rendition that has surged in popularity on social media years after its release. Singing in both English and Italian, they surprised Rock in Rio with diverse numbers such as I Wanna Be Your Dog and Mamma Mia, which the crowd sang back with obvious enthusiasm and connection.
The performance captured many in the audience, particularly when the group paid homage to the Queen hit Love of My Life, and the memory of the British band’s Rio 1985 visit lingered as members occasionally stepped down into the front rows to interact with fans. The energy in the crowd reflected a shared moment of festival history, where a newer generation embraced classic rock vibes in a festive Brazilian setting.
The Offspring returned for a third Rock in Rio appearance, inviting fans to jump and sing along as their Californian sound blended punk energy with classic rock bite. Bryan Dexter Holland and Kevin Noodles Wasserman led the band through sharper guitar solos and driving chords, offering tracks with biting social commentary and rebellious anthems. The crowd responded with enthusiasm, celebrating the band’s distinctive style and its enduring appeal across generations.
On a related secondary stage, Corinne Bailey Rae delivered a compelling set that built toward a peak with her breezy hit Put Your Records On, a signature track that dominated radio airwaves and social media fame. While her music leaned toward romance and softer tempos, Rae demonstrated the versatility of the festival’s lineup, captivating Brazilian audiences with her warm vocal presence and intimate storytelling.