A constellation of musical talent gathered in Chicago yesterday, 18th June, to mark the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center. The star-studded concert featured performances from iconic artists such as Bruce Springsteen, U2's Bono and The Edge, Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, and Stevie Wonder, among others. The event served as a prelude to the centre's official public opening today, 19th June, celebrating the legacy of former President Barack Obama.
The lineup extended beyond these headliners to include Christina Aguilera, Common, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Marc Anthony, Marsai Martin, The Roots, and Tems. The evening kicked off with The Roots delivering a dynamic set, blending Donald Byrd's 'Change (Makes You Want to Hustle)' with their own 'You Got Me', before moving into covers of Bob Marley's 'Get Up, Stand Up' and Kool & The Gang's 'Jungle Boogie'.
Following The Roots, Jennifer Hudson captivated the audience with the national anthem and 'The Impossible Dream (The Quest)' from The Man of La Mancha. Christina Aguilera then offered a unique arrangement of Louis Armstrong's 'What a Wonderful World'. Chicago native Eddie Vedder shared the stage with Guitars Over Guns, a local musical non-profit, to debut a new collaborative song titled 'Better Believe', highlighting the organisation's work with vulnerable youth.
John Legend performed Donny Hathaway’s ‘Someday We’ll All Be Free’ before being joined by Common for their hit ‘Glory’. U2's Bono and The Edge, accompanied by producer Jackknife Lee, presented a stripped-back rendition of 'City of Blinding Lights', a track famously used during Obama's presidential campaign rallies. Bono light-heartedly acknowledged their Irish representation in Chicago before the performance. Bruce Springsteen later took to the stage with 'Land of Hope and Dreams', sharing personal sentiments about the Obama family and quoting the former President's speech in Selma.
The grand finale saw Stevie Wonder close the show with vibrant performances of 'All I Do' and 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)'. He then invited Hudson, Aguilera, Legend, Vedder, Springsteen, Common, and The Roots back to the stage for a collective rendition of 'Higher Ground', urging the crowd to 'never let fear put your dreams to sleep'. The event underscored the cultural significance of the new Presidential Center and its role in fostering community and inspiring future generations.