Thousands are expected to flock to New York’s Central Park on Saturday for a superstar-laden concert that was meant to celebrate the city’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Jennifer Hudson, Carlos Santana, LL Cool J and Andrea Bocelli are among the performers at what is being billed as “We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert.”
Saturday’s event comes after a series of hip-hop concerts in the last week, which have taken place at outdoor venues around the city.
Despite its initial intention, the concert is taking place when there are concerns about the contagious Delta variant of Covid-19 spreading across the US.
Over the past week, New York City has averaged just under 2,000 new cases of Covid-19 a day, according to state statistics – up from only under 200 cases per day in late June.
Just over half – 54 per cent – of all city residents are fully vaccinated against the virus.
Those who attend the concert, the majority of tickets for which were handed out for free, must show proof of vaccination. The show will also be broadcast on local television stations.
Others expected to perform include Barry Manilow, Wyclef Jean, Elvis Costello, Cynthia Erivo and Patti Smith, who is duetting with Springsteen.
