In any other inauguration week in Washington, DC, the city would fill people in a festive atmosphere. Celebrities would fly, some in private jets, to take the stage for an anticipatory concert at the Lincoln Memorial. Cher recalls that when she attended it in 2009, “People, strangers I did not know, ran and kissed Georgetown and they were so excited because we were heading in a new direction.”
The pandemic and, more recently, significant security threats, have forced the inauguration of violence, which has restricted personal actions and, in the case of the gated National Mall, any people.
Instead, the inauguration committee of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris came up with a virtual programming this week, including We the People concert on Sunday night, featuring Cher, James Taylor, Ben Harper, Barbra Streisand, Will.i.am, Fall Out Boy and DJ Cassidy, among others. It was certainly not the spectacle that U2 and Bruce Springsteen performed in front of tens of thousands, but thanks to the rethought Democratic National Convention, we are now accustomed to the intimacy of solos from the living room. (as was the case with one special highlight, Carole King on her piano with You have a friend).
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Organized by Keegan-Michael Key and Debra Messing, Biden made brief remarks with Jill Biden and Harris spoke with Doug Emhoff, primarily to thank fans.
One person who did not mention anything: Donald Trump. Instead, artist after artist spoke of hope and unity and made only oblique references to the siege of the capital last week and general statements about the dire condition. They silenced the rhetoric of the Twitter verse.
“The last four years have left our country deeply divided, with too many people ignoring facts, science and laws that uphold democratic institutions,” Barbra Streisand said, before introducing a snippet of her singing. Happy days are here again.
“You both have more than ever the empathy we need now, and together we will emerge from these dark days into the light,” she added.
“Let us celebrate as we page through this era of division and turn the page to a better future,” said Kal Penn.
Cher sang I hope you find it, but introduced the song by addressing Biden directly and recalling their friendship.
“Everyone knows you’re compassionate, but I know you’re tough,” she said. “And I know you’re the man.”
She added: ‘I am so happy and I am so happy for Vice President Harris. I wanted you to be the president since 2006. But this is the right time. This is your time. ”
We the People Concert Series
Keegan-Michael Key and Debra Messing, hosts
Ben Harper, With my own two hands
Michael Bivins
AJR, Bummerland
Barbra Streisand, Happy days are here again (cut)
Kal Penn
Will.i.am, American dream
Sophia Bush
Carole King, Yyou have a friend
Jaime Camill
James Taylor, America the beautiful
Connie Britton
Fall Out Boy, Ages
Cher, I hope you find it
DJ Cassidy