Bruce Springsteen, U2’s Bono and the Edge, Eddie Vedder, Stevie Wonder and many other artists performed at the grand opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
The concert opened the center on June 18, a day before its official public opening.
The lineup also featured Christina Aguilera, Common, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Marc Anthony, Marsai Martin, The Roots, and Tems.
The Roots began the show with a funky rendition of Donald Byrd’s “Change (Makes You Want to Hustle)”, segued into their own “You Got Me”, and followed with covers of Bob Marley’s “Get Up, Stand Up” and Kool & The Gang’s “Jungle Boogie”.
Jennifer Hudson sang the national anthem and “The Impossible Dream (The Quest)”. She was succeeded by Christina Aguilera, who delivered a special arrangement of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”.
Chicago‑born Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder performed with local non‑profit Guitars Over Guns, debuting a new song, “Better Believe”, written for the organization.
John Legend covered Donny Hathaway’s “Someday We’ll All Be Free” before joining Common for a rendition of their hit “Glory”.
Bono and the Edge, along with producer Jackknife Lee, performed a stripped‑back version of “City of Blinding Lights”, a song that featured prominently during Obama’s campaign rallies. “We’re here representing the Irish in Chicago,” Bono joked.
Bruce Springsteen then took the stage for “Land of Hope and Dreams”, offering heartfelt remarks about President and former First Lady Obama and their family.
Stevie Wonder closed the evening with lively performances of “All I Do” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)”. He invited Hudson, Aguilera, Legend, Vedder, Springsteen, Common and The Roots onstage for a collaborative rendition of “Higher Ground”.
“Remember, never let fear put your dreams to sleep,” Wonder urged the audience.