One World Digitally Unifies For Charity
Lady Gaga performs a cover of Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile” for One World: Together at Home on April 18. (via Global Citizen)
“One World: Together at Home” was a concert globally broadcast after receiving a special digital curation by Lady Gaga. On April 18, hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Stephen Colbert led the the COVID-19 benefit concert, which made millions of dollars from donors before the concert went live.
While it is tempting to describe Global Citizen, the company responsible for the concert, as a non-profit they are self-described on their website as a movement of engaged citizens who are using their collective voice to end extreme poverty by 2030." The group regularly organizes music festivals that draw out large crowds. All live events are advertised as a call to action against global poverty, and Global Citizen hopes music
For "One World: Together at Home" that goal was temporarily redirected to support the World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations currently fighting the effects of CO-VID 19.
Before the start of the main program, Lady Gaga encouraged audience members to put their wallets away for the time being and enjoy the show. “It’s our love letter to the world,” said Gaga before the performance.
Kimmel, Fallon, and Colbert collectively introduced the televised special by notifying viewers that they could find non-monetary ways to give back by visiting act.me. The website features access to sign a stay at home pledge and join an informational newsletter. There are also many petitions and social media campaigns that readers are prompted to take part in.
Gaga then returned to sing a stylized rendition of Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile,” ending the number with a cheerful grin alongside her piano. The night continued with other acts-by-the-stars.
Artists were seen at home, and videos varied in production value. Perhaps most shadily, fans were quick to call out Charlie Puth for the unmade bed behind him as, in juxtaposition, he sang his sorrowful single, “See You Again.”
Many performers opted to sing covers. Stevie Wonder payed tribute to his recently passed friend, Bill Withers, by singing both “Lean On Me” and “Love’s In Need of Love Today.” “During hardships like these, we have to lean on each other for help,” proposed Wonder on the live show.
Another poignant moment was offered by Lizzo, as she channeled the soulfulness of Sam Cooke in “A Change is Gonna Come.” Billie Eilish and Finneas carried on the message of hope through a version of Bobby Hebb’s “Sunny.” Similarly, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello were seen quarantining together as they harmonized a duet of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.”
Although each member of the Rolling Stones could be seen in a different location, they all managed to come together on video chat to produce a perfectly synchronized performance of “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”
Many artists like Paul McCartney and Elton John dedicated songs to frontline workers. They are all featured on the 79 track “One World: #TogetherAtHome” album commemorating the event. Revenue made from these streams will be donated to the cause.
Other stars like Beyonce and Alicia Keys used the platform to give speeches instead. Both women noted reports indicating that the coronavirus pandemic is disproportionately affecting African Americans. “Pre-existing health conditions and lack of access to information and affordable healthcare, and economic and societal circumstances are some of the reasons why it’s most prevalent among communities of color,” says Keys.
A few days later, Alicia Keys performed “Empire State of Mind” for another charity special called “Saving Our Selves: A BET COVID-19 Relief Effort.” This broadcast, made in collaboration with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and United Way Worldwide, serves to directly aid those impacted by the racial disparity.
Virtual events such as these are now becoming a trend as stay at home orders continue to be enforced. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti told CNN’s “The Situation Room” that he believes all large gatherings, such as concerts, will likely stay banned until 2021.
