Festa do Peão de Barretos

The festival is held every year in the São Paulo (state) city of Barretos, where it has traditionally been organized and promoted by the social club Os Independentes ("The Independents").

Since 1985 The Independents have held the event in a 110-hectare park with a stadium large enough to hold 35 thousand people, designed by renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer.

During its history, the festival has brought to Brazil some great international superstars, such as Shakira, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Gloria Gaynor, A-Ha, Mariah Carey and Shania Twain.

Twain's concert was probably the festival's most notable attraction to date, as Festa do Peão had been trying to negotiate a show with the singer for over 20 years, and agreed to pay a R$4 million fee for her to come to Brazil.

Brazilian late country star Marília Mendonça and pop singer Bastian Baker opened Twain's concert, which started at midnight for an audience of 55,000.