Christina Aguilera, Common, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend were also on the star-studded line-up
Bruce Springsteen, U2âs Bono and the Edge, Eddie Vedder, Stevie Wonder and more were among the performers at Obama Presidential Centerâs grand opening ceremony. Watch the footage below.
The concert marked the opening of former President Barack Obamaâs Presidential Center in Chicago, and took place yesterday (June 18) ahead of its official public opening today.
In addition to Bono, the Edge, Springsteen, Vedder and Wonder, the lineup included Christina Aguilera, Common, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Marc Anthony, Marsai Martin, the Roots, and Tems.
The Roots kicked the proceedings with a funky rendition of Donald Byrdâs âChange (Makes You Want to Hustle)â that segued into their own âYou Got Meâ before they launched into their take on Bob Marleyâs âGet Up, Stand Upâ and a cover of Kool & The Gangâs âJungle Boogieâ.
Later, Jennifer Hudson performed the national anthem as well as The Man of La Manchaâs âThe Impossible Dream (The Quest)â. She was followed by Christina Aguilera, who delivered a special arrangement of Louis Armstrongâs âWhat a Wonderful Worldâ.
Chicago native, Pearl Jamâs Eddie Vedder, then took to the stage alongside local musical non-profit Guitars Over Guns â an organisation that provides students from vulnerable communities with a combination of music and mentorship. Together, they debuted a new song he wrote with them called âBetter Believeâ.
John Legend was next up, covering Donny Hathawayâs âSomeday Weâll All Be Freeâ, before being joined by Common for a version of their hit âGloryâ.
U2âs Bono and the Edge, alongside with producer Jackknife Lee, then performed a stripped-back rendition of âCity of Blinding Lightsâ, the track from âHow to Dismantle an Atomic Bombâ which featured prominently during Obamaâs presidential campaign rallies. âWeâre here representing the Irish in Chicago,â Bono joked before the performance.
Later, Springsteen took to the stage to perform âLand of Hope and Dreamsâ, after telling the crowd: âIâm so glad to be here this afternoon for President Obama and Michelle, Malia and Sasha, you know how I love you all.â
âOh, what a glorious task we are given to continually strive to improve this great nation of ours.â That was from President Obamaâs speech in Selma,â he continued. âPresident Obama and Michelle, you have exemplified that ideal with lives that have served us all with heart and commitment, love and compassion.â
Stevie Wonder closed the show with lively renditions of âAll I Doâ and âSigned, Sealed, Delivered (Iâm Yours)â, before inviting Hudson, Aguilera, Legend, Vedder, Springsteen, Common and The Roots on stage to perform âHigher Groundâ.
âI want you to remember, all of you, never let fear put your dreams to sleep,â he urged the crowd during his portion of the set.
Watch below.
Springsteenâs performance comes after heâs been largely outspoken against Donald Trump over the years, and frequently used his time both on and off the stage to call out the President and his administration.
Heated disputes between the two of them include The Boss calling for Trump to be impeached and âconsigned to the trash heap of historyâ, as well as describing the President as âcorrupt, incompetent, and treasonousâ.
He also penned the politically-charged song âStreets Of Minneapolisâ following ICE agents killing two civilians in Minnesota, called Trump a âPresident who canât handle the truthâ on stage, endorsed the No Kings movement against him, and slammed the POTUSâ so-called âanti-weaponisation fundâ.
Trump has hit back too, branding The Boss a âpushy, obnoxious JERKâ, as well as a âdried out âpruneâ of a rockerâ, and the White House slammed Springsteenâs tour before it had even started â writing that the singer has a âsevere case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has rotted his brainâ.
In a recent interview with Bono, Springsteen said that he wants to find some âcommon groundâ with fans who have walked away from him due to his political stance.
