All-star social justice global virtual event detailed

Peace Through Music airs Dec 10th via YouTube

After accumulating more than four million views during the successful 48 hour premiere of their virtual concert and fundraising event Peace Through Music: A Global Event for Social Justice, Playing For Change and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) are proud to announce an encore presentation presented by Corning Gorilla Glass in partnership with Gibson in honor of Human Rights Day. The event will be released on December 10th at 8pm GMT/3 pm EST/noon PST on the Playing For Change YouTube channel.

The event, produced by Playing For Change and Blackbird Presents, features more than 200 musicians including: Aloe Blacc, Angélique Kidjo, Annie Lennox, Becky G, Brandi Carlile with Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Carlos Santana and Cindy Blackman Santana, Gabi Melim, Gary Clark Jr., Jack Johnson, Jim James, Keb’ Mo’, Keith Richards, Mavis Staples, Nathaniel Rateliff, Peter Gabriel, Rhiannon Giddens, Ringo Starr, Robbie Robertson, Robert Randolph, Run The Jewels with Josh Homme, Sheila E., Skip Marley and Cedella Marley, The War and Treaty, Yo-Yo Ma and many more. Special appearances include Billie Eilish, Ellie Goulding, Danny Glover, Jamal Murray, Killer Mike, Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, Norman Lear, Prince Ea and Sara Bareilles.

Through the power of music and the art of storytelling, the event aims to showcase the interconnectedness of humanity and activate the world to stand up for and champion the full protection and promotion of human rights for all, especially those in the most vulnerable communities.

“We are stronger together than we are apart, and it is an honor to partner with like-minded artists and charities that echo this sentiment. The power of music is one tool we can use to unite and eradicate racism, inequality, poverty, and all other diseases that have plagued our world for much too long. The things in life that divide us, disappear when the music plays, and that’s something we hope you see and feel during this event,” says Mark Johnson, Playing For Change Co-Founder.

“Music is a wonderful medium to raise awareness about our collective quest for peace, justice, equality and dignity – the noble ideals of the United Nations. It is a powerful, unifying language that can help build bridges and advance social justice in all of its forms,” says Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund.

“We are honored to work with artists and organizations that share in the values of peace, justice, and equality for all humans. This event is a reflection of these values at a time when they are sorely needed in this world,” says Keith Wortman, Founder, and CEO of Blackbird Presents.

Highlights of the event will include special remarks from Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA and Epsy Campbell Barr, First Vice President of Costa Rica. In addition, Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, will offer a message to empower the world to seek freedom and justice, end all forms of discrimination and protect everyone’s rights.

A moment not to miss is Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Peter Gabriel joined by Beninise vocalist and activist Angélique Kidjo, Silkroad’s Yo-Yo Ma and musicians from South Africa, India, and the USA for a powerful remake of his classic “Biko.” The moving performance will be introduced by Nkosinathi Biko, son of the deceased anti-apartheid activist and subject of the song Steven Biko.

The event will also feature a soul stirring performance by Gary Clark Jr. of his GRAMMY Award-winning song “This Land,” Carlos Santana and Cindy Blackman Santana joined by Uruguayan percussionist Rubén Rada and Tito Puente Jr. for “Oye Como Va,” and a hauntingly beautiful rendition of Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are a-Changin’” by Brandi Carlile with Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, to name a few.

Contributions from partners and all donations will support the Playing For Change Foundation, the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations and its Remember Slavery Programme, Sankofa, the Bob Marley Foundation, Silkroad, and The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation—organizations and programs that strive to eradicate poverty, inequality, and systemic racial and gender discrimination around the world.

In honor of Human Rights Day, Gibson has created a special Peace Through Music Gibson Dove Acoustic custom guitar. The Peace Through Music Gibson Dove Acoustic guitar is up for auction via the Gibson Gives page on CharityBuzz. All proceeds from the Gibson Gives guitar auction will benefit the Playing For Change Foundation.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com