Stray Kids headline Brazil's music festival as 1st K-pop act

by Joonha Yoo Posted : September 14, 2026, 16:16Updated : September 14, 2026, 16:16
Fireworks light up the sky as Stray Kids perform LALALALA for the crowd at Rock in Rio in Rio de Janeiro Brazil on Sept 11 Courtesy of JYP Entertainment Photo by DIEGOPADILHA courtesy of Rock in Rio anendfor SMGRAFIAS VICTORCARVALHO
Fireworks light up the sky as Stray Kids perform at a festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sept. 11, 2026. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment
SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - K-pop boy group Stray Kids drew about 100,000 people at "Rock in Rio," a biennial music festival in Brazil, becoming the first K-pop act to headline the festival, JYP Entertainment said on Monday.

They closed out the festival in Rio de Janeiro last Friday.

This year's lineup also included Calvin Harris, the Black Eyed Peas, Maroon 5 and Elton John.

JYP Entertainment said the festival allowed fan light sticks for the first time since its launch in 1985, a change the agency attributed to the concert culture surrounding Stray Kids' headlining set.

Lit by Nachimbong, the group's official light stick, Stray Kids opened with "TOPLINE (Feat. Tiger JK)," "S-Class" and "Bounce Back."

The set also included "MANIAC," "God's Menu," "Chk Chk Boom," "LALALALA," "Sorikkun" and "Sinseonnoreum."

Latest tracks including "This & That," "After You" and "RUN IT" were also performed, while fireworks went off during "MIROH."
 
Stray Kids perform onstage at Rock in Rio in Rio de Janeiro Brazil on Sept 11 Photo by DIEGOPADILHA courtesy of JYP Entertainment Rock in Rio anendfor SMGRAFIAS VICTORCARVALHO
Stray Kids perform at a festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sept. 11, 2026. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment
At one point, members sang part of Brazilian singer Michel Telo's "Ai Se Eu Te Pego" a cappella and moved down from the stage during the performance.

The group also added "Hall of Fame" as an impromptu encore, according to the agency.

As of Sept. 10, Bang Chan had 244 registered copyrights with the Korea Music Copyright Association, the most among K-pop idols, the agency said.

Changbin and Han, who join Bang Chan in Stray Kids' in-house production unit 3RACHA, had 209 and 206 registered copyrights, respectively.

Following Rock in Rio, Stray Kids will continue with "STRAYCITY," a new music festival co-planned by JYP Entertainment and U.S.-based concert promoter Live Nation with the group as headliner.

The festival opened in Bogota on Sept. 9 and continues in Buenos Aires on Sept. 14 and 15, followed by Mexico City on Sept. 25 and 26.

AJP Takeaways

- Stray Kids became the first K-pop act to headline Rock in Rio.

- JYP Entertainment said the group drew about 100,000 people at the Brazil festival.

- Rock in Rio allowed official fan light sticks for the first time since 1985.