Almost two million people are expected to flock to a free Rolling Stones concert on Rio's Copacabana beach on Saturday (18.02.06).
Crowds are expected to fill around half of the beach for the Brazilian leg of the band's "A Bigger Bang" world tour - which will be broadcast live on national television.
With a production crew of nearly 1,500 and a guest list running to 4,000 names, the show is expected to dwarf other legendary rock concerts.
Seven huge screens have been installed on the beach, stretching more than half a mile back from the stage. About 10,000 police officers will be mobilized to patrol the crowds.
Authorities say they may also occupy several of the hilltop favelas, or slum districts, which tower over the beachside district.
The show marks the Stones' third visit to Brazil, but the first time the band has played for free in a country where few can afford tickets to see top international acts.
Fans across the South American country were chartering vans and buses to get to Rio, and Mayor Cesar Maia said tourists from as far away as Chile were coming for the concert.
He said: "The Stones have played 54 shows on their current tour before this one, and I expect there will be more people watching this show than all the previous ones put together."
