Post by Admin on Apr 20, 2020 5:25:07 GMT
When One World: Together at Home kicked off Saturday (April 18) evening on a wide variety of channels and streaming services, the Lady Gaga-curated event had already raised more than $50 million to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
As with previously charitable fundraisers aiming to mitigate the effect of COVID-19 on our endangered global population, a variety of musicians, actors and comedians joined the event via live stream to reassure, plead and entertain.
Beyonce Gets Real
For a night that stayed mostly apolitical, Queen Bey brought some tough realism to the broadcast: "Black Americans disproportionately belong to these essential parts of the workforce that do not have the luxury of working from home," she said. "African American communities at large have been severely affected in this crisis. Those with pre-existing conditions are at an even higher risk. This virus is killing black people at an alarmingly high rate here in America." Her speech was a much-needed reminder that what we're facing right now isn't a familiar threat but a global pandemic that is crippling vulnerable communities at an alarming rate.
Gaga Smiles
Lady Gaga, who curated the Saturday lineup, poured her seemingly effortless full-throated vocals into the Charlie Chaplin classic "Smile" to open the two-hour special, which clipped by at a speedy pace. Seated at the piano while digging deep into her guts to emote the song, Gaga was in her element – which is to say, it was basically perfect.
Paul McCartney Makes a Statement
Before performing the Beatles "Lady Madonna" alongside footage of healthcare workers, Macca made a general but pointed political plea: "Let's tell our leaders we need to strengthen the health care system around the world so that a crisis like this never happens again." He didn't name names, but we all know who falls into that target audience.
Lizzo Belts A Classic
Lizzo's performances tend to be highlights of whatever awards show she graces with her presence, but for One World, she kept it to the basics, eschewing productions value and high concept. And damn, she stole the show even without a flurry of dancers and props. Belting out Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" with a pained gusto, she demonstrated precisely why we're so lucky she's walking among us.
Shawn & Camila Get Cozy
"What a Wonderful World" is one of those songs that seems cheesy when you think of it offhand but becomes impossibly affecting when you're forced to sit down and actually listen to it. When Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello sat down, side by side, at a piano to perform the song Louis Armstrong elevated to iconic levels, their gorgeously blended vocals turned what could have seemed saccharine into something sublime. Mendes in quarantine might need a haircut, but his voice has never sounded stronger.
As with previously charitable fundraisers aiming to mitigate the effect of COVID-19 on our endangered global population, a variety of musicians, actors and comedians joined the event via live stream to reassure, plead and entertain.
Beyonce Gets Real
For a night that stayed mostly apolitical, Queen Bey brought some tough realism to the broadcast: "Black Americans disproportionately belong to these essential parts of the workforce that do not have the luxury of working from home," she said. "African American communities at large have been severely affected in this crisis. Those with pre-existing conditions are at an even higher risk. This virus is killing black people at an alarmingly high rate here in America." Her speech was a much-needed reminder that what we're facing right now isn't a familiar threat but a global pandemic that is crippling vulnerable communities at an alarming rate.
Gaga Smiles
Lady Gaga, who curated the Saturday lineup, poured her seemingly effortless full-throated vocals into the Charlie Chaplin classic "Smile" to open the two-hour special, which clipped by at a speedy pace. Seated at the piano while digging deep into her guts to emote the song, Gaga was in her element – which is to say, it was basically perfect.
Paul McCartney Makes a Statement
Before performing the Beatles "Lady Madonna" alongside footage of healthcare workers, Macca made a general but pointed political plea: "Let's tell our leaders we need to strengthen the health care system around the world so that a crisis like this never happens again." He didn't name names, but we all know who falls into that target audience.
Lizzo Belts A Classic
Lizzo's performances tend to be highlights of whatever awards show she graces with her presence, but for One World, she kept it to the basics, eschewing productions value and high concept. And damn, she stole the show even without a flurry of dancers and props. Belting out Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" with a pained gusto, she demonstrated precisely why we're so lucky she's walking among us.
Shawn & Camila Get Cozy
"What a Wonderful World" is one of those songs that seems cheesy when you think of it offhand but becomes impossibly affecting when you're forced to sit down and actually listen to it. When Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello sat down, side by side, at a piano to perform the song Louis Armstrong elevated to iconic levels, their gorgeously blended vocals turned what could have seemed saccharine into something sublime. Mendes in quarantine might need a haircut, but his voice has never sounded stronger.