Music has helped people around the world get through the turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic and generate hope for the future.
In that spirit, Global Citizen is announcing VAX LIVE: The Concert to Reunite the World, a global broadcast and streaming special that will call on world leaders, philanthropists, and corporations to ensure global vaccine equity, as well as encourage people to get their vaccinations as soon as they’re able.
Hosted by multi-platinum recording artist, actress, and producer Selena Gomez, the event will feature a star-studded lineup of artists and changemakers who will both convey urgent public health messages and perform some of the world’s most compelling music.
A global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic depends on global herd immunity, which means everyone must have equal access to vaccines, tests, and treatments around the world. If wealthy countries continue to hoard vaccines, the pandemic will evolve for years to come as new COVID-19 strains emerge.
As part of the broadcast, Global Citizen, artists, partners, and more will ask countries to support the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator; urge philanthropists and corporations to donate enough “dollars-for-doses” for health workers on the front lines in the world’s poorest countries; push for financial commitments to regional responders supporting health, education, hunger, equity, and climate efforts; and call on pharmaceutical companies to commit to fair and equitable pricing for COVID-19 vaccines.
VAX LIVE will air on Saturday, May 8, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on ABC, CBS, YouTube, and iHeart broadcast radio stations and the iHeartRadio App, and at 11 p.m. ET/10 p.m. CT on FOX. YouTube will stream an extended version of the concert on Global Citizen’s channel, which will include additional performances and appearances.
Here's a rundown of some of the amazing artists who will be performing as part of VAX LIVE: The Concert to Reunite the World.
Jennifer Lopez
Singer and actor Jennifer Lopez will return to the virtual Global Citizen stage after having performed at the One World: Together At Home broadcast special in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past year, Lopez has been an advocate for the COVID-19 vaccine and equitable health care.
Eddie Vedder
Pearl Jam frontman and Global Citizen Advocate Eddie Vedder has performed at numerous Global Citizen festivals and events, and he participated in the One World: Together At Home special that raised a total of $127.9 million for COVID-19 recovery efforts. Vedder is a longtime champion for women’s rights and ending poverty worldwide.
J Balvin
The reggaeton star previously performed as part of the Global Goal: Unite for Our Future broadcast special in June 2020, which built upon the momentum of One World: Together At Home and mobilized a total of 6.9 billion pledged for COVID-19 relief. J Balvin recovered from a difficult bout of COVID-19 last year, during which he called on all of his fans to follow best practices for stopping the spread of the virus.
Foo Fighters
The award-winning rock group Foo Fighters will return to the Global Citizen stage to perform some of their greatest hits during the broadcast and build solidarity for the global recovery effort. In 2020, lead singer Dave Grohl brought together a group of artists to sing a cover of “Times Like These” to raise money for COVID-19 relief.
H.E.R.
H.E.R. performed at the Global Citizen Festival in 2019 and participated in One World: Together At Home. The R&B singer-songwriter has used her platform over the years to call for women’s rights and health care equity.
As part of Global Citizen’s Recovery Plan for the World campaign, VAX LIVE: The Concert to Reunite the World will bring together artists, entertainers, world leaders, and more to ensure equitable vaccine distribution around the world, tackle COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, and celebrate a hopeful future.
Find out how to tune in here, and join us in taking action to end the pandemic and ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to COVID-19 vaccines. Then, head to our multimedia hub VAX BECAUSE to join candid conversations about the pandemic and find answers to your biggest questions about the vaccines.
Want to take home part of the show? Check out our VAX LIVE merch at the Global Citizen official store.
