Less than two months before Belém welcomes heads of state for COP30, the Amazonian capital staged its own global event on Wednesday (17). Mariah Carey, one of the most celebrated voices in pop music, headlined Amazônia Live – Today and Forever, a cultural initiative blending international stardom with the region’s own powerful sounds.
After captivating more than 70,000 fans in São Paulo at The Town festival last weekend, Carey brought her timeless hits to Belém in a performance unlike any other. For half an hour, dressed in a dazzling red gown, she sang from a floating stage shaped like the iconic Vitória Amazônica water lily, drifting on the Guamá River. The concert was closed to the public but broadcast to Brazil and the world, carrying both her music and her message: “Tonight, we are here to raise awareness for the preservation of the rainforest. So let’s do it with a little tropical thing.”
But Mariah was not alone. The night’s lineup celebrated the strength of Pará’s cultural scene, with performances by local legends and rising voices including Dona Onete, Joelma, Gaby Amarantos, and Zaynara. Their showcase, infused with rhythms born in the Amazon, set the stage for an unforgettable evening that honored both global and regional artistry.
Beyond the music, Amazônia Live carried a mission. Organized by Rock World, the creators of Rock in Rio and The Town, the event is part of a larger effort to highlight the urgency of protecting the rainforest amid the global climate crisis. The company also pledged R$ 2 million to support projects in Belém, ensuring that the spectacle leaves a legacy beyond the stage.
As Belém prepares to host COP30 in November—the first United Nations climate summit ever held inside the Amazon—Wednesday’s concert offered a glimpse of the city’s power to merge culture, nature, and global dialogue. With Mariah Carey’s voice echoing across the river and local artists amplifying the heartbeat of the region, the Amazon reminded the world that it is not just a stage, but a protagonist in its own story.
