Before Carnival, Rolling Stones plays in Rio

Heavy security planned for free Rolling Stones concert in Rio

Rio de Janeiro police are planning an unprecedented security showing for next month's free Rolling Stones concert at the famed Copacabana beach, authorities said Saturday.

Rio's state police said it was possible that up to 10,000 police officers would be summoned to work the Feb. 18 beachside show.

"We don't have the exact number yet," Lt. Col. Aristeu Leonardo said. "It could end up being less than that, but we know it's a special event and we will be prepared."

Nearly 1 million people are expected to attend the event, organizers said.

On New Year's Eve, 3,000 officers were called up to work when more than 2 million people gathered at the Copacabana beach to watch a fireworks extravaganza that officials said was the largest in the city's history.

The Rolling Stones will play in Rio just two days before U2 is scheduled to perform at Sao Paulo's Morumbi stadium _ on Feb. 20 and 21.

Organizers of the U2 concerts announced Friday they will sell tickets only through a telephone call center to avoid a repeat of last week's chaos, when nearly 100,000 fans overwhelmed stores and computer systems.

Heavy demand crashed the concert promoters' computers on Jan. 16, frustrating fans who had waited in lines for more than 12 hours.

Traditional Carnival celebrations in Brazil officially begin four days after U2's concerts in Sao Paulo

posted by nscafuro @ 3:20 PM