For the second year in a row, rain muddied the festivities at the Global Citizen Festival on the Great Lawn of Central Park on Saturday.
But the crowd shook off the showers for the 12th edition of the annual Central Park affair. Despite the gray day, spirits were more sunny than soggy as 60,000 people gathered for a party with a purpose: to fight extreme poverty.
As always, this year’s event — hosted by Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman — was as much about the music as the message.
“Central Park is electric tonight,” Jackman said, determined to defy the weather gods that made this another challenge of the elements as he introduced the festival.
“You are driving change—and that change can happen one action at a time.”
Indeed, despite all the rain ponchos and slickers and umbrella-carrying presenters, the show — and the movement — went on.
“Beautiful Things” breakout Benson Boone opened the show, soaking up the moment in the rain with his 70s porn stache and shaggy hair giving Freddie Mercury meets Shawn Mendes vibes.
Meanwhile, Jelly Roll brought some country to the big city, squeezing in his set in between headlining Madison Square Garden on Friday night and serving as the musical guest on 50th season premiere of “Saturday Night Live.”
And the performer lineup reflected the global nature of the festival, from British phenom Raye to Lisa from the South Korean girl group Blackpink.
Meanwhile, the Latin music world was represented by Puerto Rican sensation Rauw Alejandro.
Then there was Doja Cat, who painted the town red — instead of gray.
And Post Malone — who went country this year with his chart-topping “F-1 Trillion” album and No. 1 single “I Had Some Help” — headlined the festivities.
