Global Citizen teams with Pepsi for virtual concert

Gigabit Magazine takes a closer look at the virtual concert that will be taking place on April 18th.

Due to COVID-19, many music festivals have been postponed or cancelled, but that does not mean that you can’t see your favourite artists this summer. Pepsi Company and Global Citizen have teamed up to bring these artists to your screen.

The virtual concert will be hosted by Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel. The special event aims to support healthcare workers in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic and feature real stories from doctors, nurses and families around the world.

The event has been curated in collaboration with Lady Gaga but will feature the likes of; Billie Eilish, Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Stevie Wonder and many more exciting acts. Even before the concert has taken place, Lady Gaga and Global Citizen have already raised a total of £28m for the World Health Organisation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. However it is stressed that the broadcast is not a fundraiser, it is solely focusing on entertaining the nation and sending out messages of solidarity. 

This global pandemic is a new experience for all of us, nobody knows what will happen next and even if life will ever really go back to normal. Luckily, we have the technology to be able to host and partake in such an event, this leads on to what Lady Gaga said in a recent interview; “We want to highlight the gravity of this historical, unprecedented cultural movement, and we want to celebrate and encourage the power of the human spirit”.

With the number of COVID-19 cases rising by the day, it is important that we all stay united without risking public health, this virtual concert is the perfect example of this. Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina, who have both tested positive for coronavirus, plan to take part in the event, emphasising this message. 

BBC One will also be broadcasting a revised version of the concert on the 19th April, including performances from UK artists, however, the details are yet to be released.

When?: April 18th, 8 pm to 10 pm EST

Where?: Amazon Prime Video, Facebook, Instagram, TuneIn, Twitter, Yahoo and Youtube. 

Why?: To boost morale, entertain viewers and to send out the message that we are all united during this outbreak. 

How you can slow the spread of coronavirus:

• Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds

• Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

• Wash your hands as soon as you get home

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

• Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Find out the key information about COVID-19 here.