For the second year in a row, rain disrupted festivities at the Global Citizen Festival on the Great Lawn in Central Park on Saturday.
But the crowd stayed away from the rain for the 12th edition of the annual Central Park event. Despite the gray day, the mood was more sunny than sultry as 60,000 people gathered for a party with one purpose: to fight extreme poverty.
As always, this year’s event – which was hosted by Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman – was as much about the music as it was the message.
“Central Park is lit up tonight,” Jackman said, determined to challenge the weather gods, opening the festival by making it yet another challenge to the elements.
“You are making change – and that change can happen one action at a time.”
In fact, despite all the rain ponchos and slickers and presenters carrying umbrellas, the show – and the movement – went on.
“Beautiful Things” breakout Benson Boone opened the show, enjoying a rain moment with his ’70s porn stance and shaggy hair that gave Freddie Mercury a Shawn Mendes vibe.
Meanwhile, Jelly Roll brought some country to the big city, headlining Madison Square Garden on Friday night and serving as the musical guest on the 50th season premiere of “Saturday Night Live.”
And the artist lineup reflected the global nature of the festival, ranging from British phenom Rae to South Korean girl group Blackpink’s Lisa.
Meanwhile, the Latin music world was represented by Puerto Rican sensation Rave Alejandro.
Then there was Doja Cat, who painted the town red instead of brown.
And Post Malone — who visited the country this year with his chart-topping “F-1 Trillion” album and No. 1 single “I Had Some Help” — headlined the festival.
