September 2016 – Empower to the people!

 

Music and activism took center stage on Saturday, September 24, 2016 as individuals spanning generations who earned a free ticket to the concert by raising awareness for Global Citizen’s ongoing initiative to eradicate poverty converged on Central Park’s Great Lawn in New York City.

 

The daylong concert event, which advocates for change and bringing world leaders together to fight against extreme poverty, featured riveting performances by a diverse array of musical artists.

With Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, and Metallica as the Festival’s main headliners, attendees were singing melodies and dancing on the lawn to the vibrant rhythms of Demi Lovato, Major Lazer, Usher, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Ellie Goulding and Yandel, among others.

Yusuf Cat Stevens rendered his timeless hit “Wild World” before introducing Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, who surprised the crowd by duetting with recent the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee for Cat’s classic “Father and Son.” Vedder also sang with Chris Martin, who established the Global Citizen Festival Concert series in 2012 in an acoustic version of Patti Smith’s activist anthem “People Have the Power.”

In addition to the musical performances, speakers including Chelsea Handler, Deborra-Lee and Hugh Jackman, Pete Wentz, Neil Patrick Harris, Forest Whitaker, Priyanka Chopra, Salma Hayek-Pinault, Jada Pinkett Smith, Norway Prime Minister Erna Solberg, and former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete advocated for change.

Global Citizen is a social action platform for the global generation who are passionate about learning and taking action on the world’s biggest issues.

Global Citizen works in partnership with and supports some of the most effective organizations working to achieve the global goals and end extreme poverty.

Committed to providing the most interesting stories, effective actions and powerful campaigns, Global Citizen aims to reach and recruit the largest possible number of people who care about global issues.