In any other opening week in Washington, DC, the city would be filling up with people in a festive atmosphere. Celebrities are said to be flying, some on private jets, to take the stage for a pre-oath concert at the Lincoln Memorial. Cher recalled that when she came in 2009, “people, strangers I didn’t know, were running around Georgetown hugging and kissing, and they were so thrilled because we were moving in a new direction.”
The pandemic and, more recently, significant security threats forced a largely reduced opening, limiting personal action and, in the case of the surrounded National Mall, anyone.
Instead, the inaugural committee of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris presented a virtual programming list this week, including the We the People Concert on Sunday night, which featured Cher, James Taylor, Ben Harper, Barbra Streisand, Will. i.am, Fall Out Boy and DJ Cassidy, among others. It certainly wasn’t the spectacle of, say, U2 and Bruce Springsteen performing for tens of thousands, but thanks to the revamped Democratic National Convention, we are now used to the intimacy of the living room floors. (as was the case with a special highlight, Carole King on his piano with You have a friend)
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Introduced by Keegan-Michael Key and Debra Messing, Biden made brief comments along with Jill Biden, and Harris spoke to Doug Emhoff, mainly to thank supporters.
One person who was not mentioned: Donald Trump. Instead, artist after artist spoke of hope and unity, making only indirect references to the siege of the Capitol last week and general statements about the dire state of affairs. They avoided the rhetoric of Twitter-verse.
“The past four years have left our nation deeply divided, with many people ignoring the facts, science and laws that defend democratic institutions,” said Barbra Streisand, before presenting a clip of his music Happy days are here again.
“You two have the empathy we need now, more than ever, and together we will step out of those dark days into the light,” she added.
“Let’s celebrate by turning the page in this age of division and turning the page to a brighter future,” said Kal Penn.
Cher sang I hope you find it, but presented the song addressing Biden directly, recalling his friendship.
“Everyone knows that you are compassionate, but I know that you are tough,” she said. “And I know that you’re the guy.”
She added: “I am very happy and I am very happy for Vice President Harris. I wanted you to be the president since 2006. But this is the right time. This is your turn. “
We the People show schedule
Keegan-Michael Key and Debra Messing, hosts
Ben Harper, With my own hands
Michael Bivins
AJR, Bummerland
Barbra Streisand, Happy days are here again (clip)
Kal Penn
William, American dream
Sophia Bush
Carole King, YYou have a friend
Jaime Camill
James Taylor, America the Beautiful
Connie Britton
Fall out Boy, Centuries
Cher, I hope you find it
DJ Cassidy