Calvin Harris Makes History as First DJ Headliner at Rock in Rio

Calvin Harris became the first DJ to close the main stage in the 41 year history of Rock in Rio. Performing on Sunday under heavy rain, the 42 year old Scottish producer played a set of electronic pop hits including Summer, Outside, and collaborations with Rihanna and Dua Lipa. The event was highly anticipated, as Sunday tickets were the first to sell out for this edition of the festival. Harris used a high energy production featuring lasers, fire, and colorful projections to emulate a club atmosphere. While he spoke very little to the crowd, the audience responded enthusiastically to his sequence of global hits. The day's lineup focused on danceable rhythms, featuring other acts such as Black Eyed Peas, Nelly, and Barão Vermelho. This marked a shift from the festival's first two days, which were dedicated to classic and heavy rock. A center left source framed the performance as a transformation of the venue into an Ibiza style rave, noting Harris's limited communication compared to other DJs. Meanwhile, a center right source framed the event as a generational party that successfully transitioned the festival from rock to a diverse dance floor.