Global Citizen Fest Unveils Lineup

Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Selena Gomez, Major Lazer, and Metallica are on headlining duty when the fifth annual Global Citizen Festival sets up shop at New York City’s Central Park in September.

Photo: Michael Zorn/Invision/AP
2016 Black Girls Rock! at New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ.

The Sept. 24 event at the park’s Great Lawn will also host special guest performances by Usher, Chris Martin, Eddie Vedder, Ellie Goulding, Yandel, and Yusuf/Cat StevensChelsea Handler, Deborra-lee & Hugh Jackman, Neil Patrick Harris, Priyanka Chopra, Salma Hayek Pinault, and Seth Meyers will serve as hosts.

The Global Citizen Fest is a free-ticket event, but that doesn’t mean you can just march right through the turnstile.  Fans earn admission via the social action platform at GlobalCitizenFestival.com.  Ticket draws will be held through the summer.  A limited number of VIP packages go on sale July 28.

Photo: Felipe Dana/AP
Raising the volume in the wee hours of the morn at Rock in Rio music festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“Over the last five years, Global Citizens around the world have taken more than 6 million actions in the fight against extreme poverty – actions that are set to affect the lives of over 650 million of the world’s most marginalized people,” Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans said.  “This year’s festival – and this incredible lineup – is an annual touch point to hold our world leaders to account on their commitments to solve the world’s biggest problems.”

The Global Citizen Festival has partnered with iHeartMedia to “help channel the power of music to fight inequality, protect our planet and end extreme poverty by 2030.”  Because iHeartMedia’s iHeartRadio Music Festival will take place that very same weekend – Sept. 23-24 in Las Vegas – fans can expect cross promotions and in-show collaborations.  For example, Usher is expected to perform at both events on the same night, perhaps aided by a fast jet and time zone differences.

Photo: Mark Von Holden / Invision / AP
MTV's 2016 Upfronts at Skylight at Moynihan Station, New York City

The Global Citizen Festival will be produced by Grammy producer / Emmy Award-winner producer Ken Ehrlich.  MSNBC and Comcast NBCUniversal are the event’s premier media partners, with MSNBC and MSNBC.com airing the full concert.  Gucci and Chime For Change return as presenting partners.  Follow this link for more details.