The inauguration of US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday, January 20, had some of music industry's biggest names celebrating a new era, as they performed in an almost two-hour concert special broadcast on TV and social media.
It brought together an A-list of stars, marking a sharp contrast with outgoing president Donald Trump's inauguration in 2017, which was low on star power., opened with Bruce Springsteen, standing alone with an acoustic guitar on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, singing"Land of Hope and Dreams." Various Broadway stars collaborated to sing a medley of the anthemic"Seasons of Love" from the musical Rent and"Let The Sunshine In" from Hair. Ant Clemons and Justin Timberlake's kept up the optimism with their song"Better Days."
Demi Lovato took on the late Bill Withers' feel-good ditty,"Lovely Day," with medical frontliners and fellow celebrities accompanying her virtually in a cover that had Biden dancing along with his grandson Beau in tow.During the concert, Biden called on Americans to come together and unite – a message echoed by Tim McGraw and Tyler Hubbard's performances of"Undivided," as well as Texas band Black Pumas lively performance of their song"Colors.