VAX LIVE: The Concert to Reunite the World just made history.
The first large-scale music event for a COVID-19 compliant audience composed of fully vaccinated frontline health care and essential workers aired globally Saturday night, helping mobilize $302 million from governments, corporations, and philanthropists to aid the fight against the coronavirus and secure more than 26 million vaccine doses for those in need.
VAX LIVE brought together artists, entertainers, world leaders, and more to ensure equitable vaccine distribution around the world, inspire confidence in COVID-19 vaccines, and celebrate a hopeful future — and it was as entertaining as it was impactful.
Hosted by multi-platinum recording artist, actress, and producer Selena Gomez, the show was filmed live on May 2 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, featuring incredible performances by Jennifer Lopez, Eddie Vedder, Foo Fighters, J Balvin, and H.E.R.
VAX LIVE campaign chairs Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, delivered urgent messages about vaccine equity, and special guests included President Joe Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Ben Affleck, Chrissy Teigen, David Letterman, Gayle King, Jimmy Kimmel, Nomzamo Mbatha, Olivia Munn, Sean Penn, and many more.
Thousands of attendees joined us at the stadium, with their vaccination record cards in tow and face masks secured, and they finally enjoyed a real, live concert once again. It was a far cry from the livestreamed performances and Zoom gatherings we’ve become accustomed to over the past year, offering just a glimpse of what’s possible if everyone around the world gets equal access to lifesaving vaccines, testing, and treatments.
As we continue to take action to end the pandemic for everyone, everywhere through our year-long Recovery Plan for the World campaign, check out some of the best moments from VAX LIVE our photographers captured on the ground, showing the true spirit of Global Citizen’s signature blend of pop and policy.
Jennifer Lopez performs onstage during VAX LIVE: The Concert to Reunite the World at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on May 2, 2021.
Jennifer Lopez performs onstage during VAX LIVE: The Concert to Reunite the World at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on May 2, 2021.
Fans enjoy the VAX LIVE concert at SoFi Stadium on May 2, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif. The first in person large-scale music event included a COVID-19 compliant audience composed of fully vaccinated frontline health care and essential workers.
Fans enjoy the VAX LIVE concert at SoFi Stadium on May 2, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif. The first in person large-scale music event included a COVID-19 compliant audience composed of fully vaccinated frontline health care and essential workers.
To celebrate the heroic efforts of those health care workers, Global Citizen invited them to attend VAX LIVE in Inglewood, Calif., on May 2, 2021.
To celebrate the heroic efforts of those health care workers, Global Citizen invited them to attend VAX LIVE in Inglewood, Calif., on May 2, 2021.
J Balvin performs during VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium on May 2, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif.
J Balvin performs during VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium on May 2, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif.
Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters performs onstage during VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on May 2, 2021.
Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters performs onstage during VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on May 2, 2021.
Eddie Vedder performs onstage during VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on May 2, 2021.
Eddie Vedder performs onstage during VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on May 2, 2021.
Jennifer Lopez performs at the VAX LIVE concert at SoFi Stadium on May 2, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif.
Jennifer Lopez performs at the VAX LIVE concert at SoFi Stadium on May 2, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif.
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, speaks during the VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium, May 2, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, were campaign chairs of the event and delivered urgent messages about vaccine equity.
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, speaks during the VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium, May 2, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, were campaign chairs of the event and delivered urgent messages about vaccine equity.
Ben Affleck and Jimmy Kimmel walk to the stage to deliver remarks at the VAX Live at SoFi Stadium, May 2, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif.
Ben Affleck and Jimmy Kimmel walk to the stage to deliver remarks at the VAX Live at SoFi Stadium, May 2, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif.
Chrissy Teigen speaks onstage at VAX LIVE on May 2, 2021. In her remarks, Teigen spoke about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on women, saying, “We have seen the most: the most death, illness, and hardship."
Chrissy Teigen speaks onstage at VAX LIVE on May 2, 2021. In her remarks, Teigen spoke about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on women, saying, “We have seen the most: the most death, illness, and hardship. And we will lead us out of this mess because this is more than a stadium full of people. It’s a house of hope. This is what women do.”
Ned Fulmer, Keith Habersberger, Zach Kornfeld, and Eugene Lee Yang of The Try Guys appear onstage during VAX LIVE on May 2, 2021, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
Ned Fulmer, Keith Habersberger, Zach Kornfeld, and Eugene Lee Yang of The Try Guys appear onstage during VAX LIVE on May 2, 2021, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
VAX LIVE was hosted by multi-platinum recording artist, actress, and producer Selena Gomez, pictured here speaking on stage at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on May 2, 2021.
VAX LIVE was hosted by multi-platinum recording artist, actress, and producer Selena Gomez, pictured here speaking on stage at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on May 2, 2021.
Jennifer Lopez performs a special duet with her mom, Guadalupe Rodríguez, at VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium on May 2, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif.
Jennifer Lopez performs a special duet with her mom, Guadalupe Rodríguez, at VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium on May 2, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif.
An overview of SoFi for VAX Live on May 2, 2021. The event followed reduced capacity guidelines as set by the state and county with limited and assigned seating allowing staff to manage the flow of people as safely and organized as possible.
An overview of SoFi for VAX Live on May 2, 2021. The event followed reduced capacity guidelines as set by the state and county with limited and assigned seating allowing staff to manage the flow of people as safely and organized as possible.
Health care workers pose for a portrait during VAX LIVE in Inglewood, Calif. The historic vaccination campaign is all thanks to the hard work and determination of health care workers who relentlessly protected and cared for people around the country.
Health care workers pose for a portrait during VAX LIVE in Inglewood, Calif. The historic vaccination campaign is all thanks to the hard work and determination of health care workers who relentlessly protected and cared for people around the country.
Julie Bowen, center, is an ICU nurse at Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls, Ore., where Cisco supplies some of the hospital's technology. Bowen was spotlighted in the audience at VAX LIVE on May 2, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif.
Julie Bowen, center, is an ICU nurse at Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls, Ore., where Cisco supplies some of the hospital's technology. Bowen was spotlighted in the audience at VAX LIVE on May 2, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif.
The crowd is photographed at VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium on May 2, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif.
The crowd is photographed at VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium on May 2, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif.
Jennifer Lopez is silhouetted against a sign that reads, #StopAsianHate, before performing at VAX LIVE on May 2, 2021. Since COVID-19 began, there’s been more than 3,800 reported incidents of violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Jennifer Lopez is silhouetted against a sign that reads, #StopAsianHate, before performing at VAX LIVE on May 2, 2021. Since COVID-19 began, there’s been more than 3,800 reported incidents of violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Eddie Vedder performs onstage during VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on May 2, 2021.
Eddie Vedder performs onstage during VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on May 2, 2021.
J Balvin performs during VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium on May 2, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif.
J Balvin performs during VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium on May 2, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif.
Foo Fighters perform onstage during VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on May 2, 2021.
Foo Fighters perform onstage during VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on May 2, 2021.
David Letterman speaks onstage at VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium on May 2, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif.
David Letterman speaks onstage at VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium on May 2, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif.
Olivia Munn speaks on stage at VAX LIVE, about the rise in violence against the AAPI community during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said, "As an Asian American, these hate crimes have hit close to home. A virus doesn’t have an ethnicity or a region."
Olivia Munn speaks on stage at VAX LIVE, about the rise in violence against the AAPI community during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said, "As an Asian American, these hate crimes have hit close to home. A virus doesn’t have an ethnicity or a region. And when you regionalize, you weaponize."
South African actress and human rights activist, Nomzamo Mbatha, speaks on stage during VAX LIVE on May 2, 2021. She amplified the call for much-needed COVID-19 vaccines in Africa.
South African actress and human rights activist, Nomzamo Mbatha, speaks on stage during VAX LIVE on May 2, 2021. She amplified the call for much-needed COVID-19 vaccines in Africa.
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, speaks onstage during VAX LIVE, May 2, 2021. “Tonight is a celebration of each of you here, the vaccinated frontline workers in the audience and the millions of frontline heroes around the world,” he said.
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, speaks onstage during VAX LIVE, May 2, 2021. “Tonight is a celebration of each of you here, the vaccinated frontline workers in the audience and the millions of frontline heroes around the world,” he said.
Jennifer Lopez performs at VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium on May 2, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif.
Jennifer Lopez performs at VAX LIVE at SoFi Stadium on May 2, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif.
As part of Global Citizen’s Recovery Plan for the World campaign, VAX LIVE: The Concert to Reunite the World brought 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.
You can still catch the concert on the Global Citizen YouTube channel and on various channels and platforms. Be sure to 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.
