While you were sleeping, a very different kind of global benefit concert was taking place across American television. While the likes of Live Aid were famous for dozens of artists congregating in massive, jam packed stadiums, One World: Together At Home was very much the opposite. Artists performed from their own homes and produced something completely unique.
The special show was the brainchild of Tipperary's Declan Kelly and fronted by Lady Gaga. It broadcast on prime time American television last night on a number of networks and consisted of 20 songs from 26 artists, and was presented by American late night TV hosts Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert.
All funds raised will go to the World Health Organisation Solidarity Response Fund to fight coronavirus. The money will go toward funding PPE, testing kits and laboratory capacity to process the tests, particularly in the developing world. In the early stages, the initiative has already raised nearly $130,000,000.
$127.9 million for COVID-19 relief.
That is the power and impact of One World: #TogetherAtHome.
Thank you @ladygaga for helping @GlblCtzn create this historic global broadcasting event.
To everyone around the world: Stay strong, stay safe, we will be together in person soon. pic.twitter.com/QudE6j7reF— Global Citizen ⭕ (@GlblCtzn) April 19, 2020
Before the show even started, there was a six hour digital stream pre-show which included performances from Irish artists Hozier, Niall Horan and Picture This.
The two show itself featured performances from Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Shawn Mendes, The Rolling Stones, John Legend, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift and loads more.
One of the real of the highlights of the night included Taylor Swift's performance of "Soon You'll Get Better", a song about her mother's battle with cancer, and one she has said in the past is impossible for her to sing live because of the emotion of the song.
Are we out of the woods? Not exactly, but we can all do our part to help each other get through the coronavirus pandemic #TogetherAtHome. You can take action with @TaylorSwift13 to support @WHO, frontline health care workers, and everyday heroes here: https://t.co/26xVXSb0qy pic.twitter.com/mTm1EaHTw0
— Global Citizen ⭕ (@GlblCtzn) April 19, 2020
Another artist who sang a song written for his mother was Paul McCartney who dedicated a very different version of Lady Madonna to healthcare workers around the world. McCartney was the only one to film his performance vertically which can be forgiven given he's almost 78 and a Beatle. It also allowed for some moving pictures of those healthcare workers to be displayed on the side of the video as he performed.
The greatest living musician pays tribute to health care workers.
Thank you, Sir Paul McCartney. 👏👏#TogetherAtHome pic.twitter.com/w8XRPzPz9y— Austin Kellerman (@AustinKellerman) April 19, 2020
One of the more emotional moments of the show was Stevie Wonder's performance of Lean On Me, a song made famous by his friend Bill Withers who died just three weeks ago.
MUST WATCH: Stevie Wonder pays tribute to his friend Bill Withers with an emotional performance of "Lean of Me."#TogetherAtHome pic.twitter.com/Ehcormd7fF
— Austin Kellerman (@AustinKellerman) April 19, 2020
Elton John singing I'm Still Standing with a full concert piano and microphone but in his back garden in front of a basketball hoop summed up the surreal nature of the whole event.
LISTEN: The great Elton John performs "I'm Still Standing" in honor of our health care heroes!#TogetherAtHome pic.twitter.com/dRlZjQ3RqU
— Austin Kellerman (@AustinKellerman) April 19, 2020
The Rolling Stones coordinating a Zoom conference for their performance of You Can't Always What You Want was even crazier.
🤘 If you start us up, we’ll never stop fighting for global health. Take action with The @RollingStones: https://t.co/26xVXSb0qy #TogetherAtHome pic.twitter.com/Dpze2tNyCW
— Global Citizen ⭕ (@GlblCtzn) April 19, 2020
Taking over from the old timers, Lizzo gave a soulful performance of A Change Is Gonna Come that would give you goosebumps.
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the lives of many people around the world. But with the power of collective action, we know change gon’ come. Watch @Lizzo's soulful performance and take action now: https://t.co/26xVXSb0qy. #TogetherAtHome pic.twitter.com/2nSeSAPYCI
— Global Citizen ⭕ (@GlblCtzn) April 19, 2020
The special ended with a five location performance of The Prayer from Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, John Legend, Andrea Bocelli and Lang Lang.
.@LadyGaga, @CelineDion, @AndreaBocelli, @Lang_Lang, and @JohnLegend's incredible One World: #TogetherAtHome final performance will leave you speechless. Join us as we all unite as a global community against COVID-19: https://t.co/26xVXSb0qy pic.twitter.com/AfC2b6u8ZK
— Global Citizen ⭕ (@GlblCtzn) April 19, 2020
You can watch or listen to the fill two hour special tonight at 7pm when it's aired on both RTE 2 and 2fm.
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