U2 makes a huge statement as they performed on the Hudson River, with Statue Of Liberty in the background. Holding a megaphone, Bono yells, “blessed are the bullies, for one day they will have to stand up to themselves.”
Jon Batiste and Gary Clark Jr. take the stage honoring the late musicians Chuck Berry and Fats Domino, who passed away in 2017. Jon Batiste covered Fats Domino’s “Ain’t That a Shame,” with Gary Clark Jr. on the guitar. Then came the smooth transition into Gary Clark Jr. on the mic, with a soulful cover of Chuck Berry’s “Maybellene.”
Sting takes the stage performing his 1987 hit “Englishman in New York”, but this time with a reggae vibe. This new reggae sound was more understood, as Shaggy joined Sting onstage. Shaggy is most known for his hit, “It Wasn’t Me”.
Before introducing Ke$ha, Janelle Monae broke the silence with a moving speech honoring the women in the music industry relating to the Time’s Up movement. Joined with Cyndi Lauper, Camila Cabello, Andra Day, Bebe Rexha, Julia Michaels and the Resistance Revival Chorus, Ke$ha gives a heartfelt performance of “Praying”. As part of the #MeToo movement she has been closely involved with and while battling her own lawsuits and emotional tribulations, she uses her voice to make a stand.