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Australian artists Keith Urban and Delta Goodrem joined some of the music industry's biggest names performing from their homes for a live-streamed concert to support frontline healthcare workers and the World Health Organisation's (WHO) COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
Key points:
- The livestream concert was not a public fundraiser but "a moment of respite"
- Australians Keith Urban and Delta Goodrem were among the performers
- Others included Stevie Wonder, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish
Beginning early Saturday morning, the eight-hour global event curated by musician and actress Lady Gaga in collaboration with the WHO and non-profit group Global Citizen featured music and comedy performances as well as personal stories from frontline health workers working during the coronavirus pandemic.
It is the biggest celebrity effort so far to mark the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 150,000 people worldwide.
The special was not a public fundraiser, but was aimed at encouraging philanthropists and companies to contribute to the WHO's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, as well as driving action to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Corporate and other donors have already contributed some $150 million, organisers said.
Non-musical celebrities also contributed to the livestream. British actress Jameela Jamil kicked off the event, telling viewers the performances were meant to provide "a moment of respite".
"Put your wallets away. This is not a fundraiser. We are just here to give you an incredible show with amazing live performances," the Good Place actress said.
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The livestream's first hours featured the likes of British soccer star David Beckham, American R&B singer Jennifer Hudson, Hong Kong singer Eason Chan, India's Vishal Mishra and Emirati musician Hussain Al Jassmi.
The final two hours of the special was also broadcast on television, featuring international musical stars including Stevie Wonder, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Sir Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish.
Australia was represented early on in the One World: Together At Home livestream when singer-songwriter Goodrem performed Together We Are One.
Urban performed Steve Winwood's Higher Love, with two pre-recorded images of himself playing the electric guitar serving as his backing band.
His wife Nicole Kidman joined him at the end of the performance as he spoke a message about the pandemic.
Beyonce did not perform but sent a video message in which she noted the disproportionately high death rates from COVID-19 in the African-American community.
"This virus is killing black people at an alarming rate in America," she said, urging viewers to protect themselves.
The livestream opened with social media postings and news clips showing doctors and nurses being applauded by communities around the world, families greeting each other through windows, and acts of kindness in support of those who are isolated and frail.
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Other segments highlighted the personal stories of doctors, nurses, teachers and grocery workers, poems submitted by children, and efforts by ordinary people to make masks and deliver food and medication to those in need.
"I'm so grateful for the healthcare workers, the medical workers, all the grocery store workers and delivery people, the postal workers, all the other non-profits that are working so hard," Gaga said.
"This is really a true love letter to all of you all over the world, and I hope a reminder of the kindness that's occurring right now," she added.
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Celebrities also called on people to stay at home, wash their hands regularly, practice social distancing and put pressure on their political leaders to introduce widespread testing for the disease.
"We have to build stronger healthcare systems," said Jamil.
American actor Jack Black injected humour into the event with a fitness segment about flattening his own curve, featuring him attempting push ups, running, swimming and dancing.
ABC/Reuters
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Topics: arts-and-entertainment, music, covid-19, united-states, australia
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