Laufey Makes Her Rock in Rio 2026 Debut and Promises Surprises

Laufey, the 27-year-old Icelandic singer who has already won two Grammys, makes her Rock in Rio 2026 debut on Monday, August 7, closing out the lineup on the Sunset Stage. The artist promises to sing in Portuguese and pay tribute to bossa nova idols, bringing a show that blends jazz, pop, and Brazilian influences.

Laufey celebrates her return to Brazil and promises surprises

The artist shared that her visit to Rio was motivated by her love for bossa nova and that, this time, she intends to see more of the country. She described the experience as an honor and revealed that she might sing in Portuguese during the show.

Repertoire inspired by bossa nova

On stage, Laufey started the performance with a vintage look and announced she would sing a song by Luiz Bonfá. She also performed "Perdido de Amor" in Portuguese, drawing screams from teenage fans. The singer emphasized that the language has something beautiful about it and that she wants to delve deeper into it.

Tributes to great bossa nova names

During the show, Laufey made references to Astrud Gilberto, João Gilberto, and Luiz Bonfá, artists who inspire her. She also highlighted the influence of bossa nova on tracks like "Falling Behind", "From the Start", and "Fragile".

Fans' expectations

The artist stated that fans can expect a lively show and that she is open to interacting with the audience. She emphasized that when visiting distant countries, she wants to show that if she made it, her fans can too.

Likely setlist

The likely setlist includes tracks like "Lover Girl", "Silver Lining", "Too Little, Too Late", "Promise", and "Goddess", as well as jazz club segments and classics like "From the Start". The performance may feature surprises, but the structure typically alternates upbeat songs with acoustic moments.

Career background

Laufey holds a degree in classical cello and has performed at venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, Royal Albert Hall, and Sydney Opera House. She has been awarded two Grammys in the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album category, for "Bewitched" (2023) and "A Matter of Time" (2025). Her upcoming show at Rock in Rio follows her return to Brazil after the Popload Festival in São Paulo in 2025.

With information from Gshow, VEJA RIO, and Terra.