Biden concert - as it happened: Cher tells Joe Biden ‘this is your time’ as virtual show kicks off Inauguration Week
‘We The People’ concert is one in a series of events planned for Inauguration Week
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Cher gave a rousing address during Joe Biden’s pre-inaugural concert on Sunday night – one in a series of events planned in the lead-up to Inauguration Day.
The singer was one of the most high-profile guests featured during the remote show. The We The People pre-inauguration concert began shortly after 8pm ET and lasted a bit more than an hour, with guests such as Fall Out Boy, Carole King, will.i.am, Sophia Bush, Michael Bivins, and Jaime Camil giving performances and speeches via video link.
Keegan-Michael Key and Debra Messing teamed up as co-hosts for the event. Sunday night’s concert served as a fundraiser, meaning viewers were able to obtain a link to watch it in exchange for a donation.
“I’m so happy. I can’t tell you how happy I am,” Cher said in the opening of her video message, addressing Biden. She called him “the right man, for the right job, at the right time”.
“I’m so thrilled,” she added. “I know you’re going to take the country in an amazing direction, and I know that you love everybody, because that’s who you are.”
Cher said she feels “hopeful” for the future, telling Biden: “I know you’re tough. Everyone else knows you’re compassionate, but I know you’re tough. And I know that you’re the man. You’re the man.”
The artist also celebrated Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. She ended by telling Biden: “This is your time. Thank you for being here. I’m so excited.”
Her message was followed by a video performance of the song “I Hope You Find It”. The tune was originally released by Miley Cyrus in 2010, and covered by Cher in 2013.
Sunday’s concert also included a moving address by Connie Britton, as well as messages from Joe Biden, Dr Jill Biden, Kamala Harris, and her husband Doug Emhoff.
Follow the pre-inaugural concert as it happened with our live blog below:
We are now listening to Elton John’s “Philadelphia Freedom”. Could it be a nod to the state of Pennsylvania, which was instrumental in securing Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election?
A countdown has just appeared on the screen. We are 15 seconds away!
Joe Biden and Dr Jill Biden are speaking! The former just introduced himself as “Jill’s husband, Joe”. Dr Biden is thanking supporters, as is President-elect Biden.
Dr Jill Biden just acknowledged the “difficult transition process” faced by the incoming Biden administration.
“To those who have experienced loss over the last year, know that Joe and I carry you in our thoughts and prayers each day,” says Dr Biden.
“Your help has changed the course of history, and we’ll always be grateful for everything you’ve done,” President-elect Biden tells supporters. He adds that “it’s the honour of my lifetime to be your next president”. The remarks reflect Biden’s message of unity, on which he has relied since his victory in November.
Ben Harper is now giving the first performance of the evening.
Michael Bivins is making a video appearance, thanking donors, and telling viewers: “We’re going to have a good time.”
“We did it Joe,” Bivins tells the president-elect, whom he refers to by the nickname “J B”.
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