New York Central Park Homecoming Concert detailed

Tickets available Monday, August 2nd

Mayor Bill de Blasio, music industry legend Clive Davis, and Live Nation and NYCEDC chair Danny Meyer have announced the all-star lineup set to perform at the “We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert produced by New York City, Clive Davis and Live Nation” on the Great Lawn in Central Park on Saturday, August 21st.

This historic, once-in-a-generation concert, presented by Citi and Expedia, in Central Park will feature an array of music icons and contemporary artists spanning musical and entertainment genres including Jon Batiste, Andrea Bocelli, Kane Brown, LL COOL J, Elvis Costello, Lucky Daye, Earth, Wind & Fire, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Cynthia Erivo, Jimmy Fallon, Jennifer Hudson, Wyclef Jean, Journey, The Killers, Gayle King, Don Lemon, Barry Manilow, The New York Philharmonic, Polo G, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, and Rob Thomas.

As a celebration of New York City’s comeback, the concert will promote health, safety, and equity. Eighty percent of the tickets will be available for free. For ticketholders, proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for entry. Given the outdoor setting and vaccination requirement, masks will be optional.

Citi is a presenting sponsor and the Official Card of the special concert. Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale VIP tickets beginning Thursday, July 29th at 10 am EDT until Sunday, August 1st at 10 pm EDT through the Citi Entertainment program. Additionally, Citi will be giving away 1,000 general admission tickets to Citi cardmembers on a first-come, first-served basis beginning on Monday, August 2nd at 10 am EDT.

Free tickets, as well as VIP tickets for purchase, will be released to the public in batches at nyc.gov/HomecomingWeek starting on Monday, August 2nd at 10 am EDT. Additional free and VIP ticket release dates will be Tuesday, August 3rd at 7 am EDT; Wednesday, August 4th at 9 pm EDT; Thursday, August 5th at 7 am EDT; Friday, August 6th at 10 am EDT; and Saturday, August 7th at 9 pm EDT.

“This is going to be an historic, monumental moment for all New Yorkers and all Americans. I’ll put it plainly: You’re going to want to be here. This is truly once in a lifetime and we thank Clive Davis, Live Nation and Danny Meyer for all their efforts to help make this possible,” states Mayor de Blasio. “This is a celebration of our city, of every working family who faced incredible challenges last year and overcame. This is a celebration for you.”

“There is absolutely no place more special than Central Park to celebrate the reopening of New York City,” comments Clive Davis. “I consider the Mayor’s request a true honor; and, with Live Nation, we are curating an unforgettable show befitting of this historic occasion.”

“Live music has the unique ability to bring us together,” shares Geoff Gordon, Regional President, Live Nation. “We are excited to join Mayor de Blasio, Clive Davis, and Danny Meyer in producing this special night of live music as we reconnect fans with some of their favorite artists in Central Park for the WE LOVE NYC: The Homecoming Concert.”

“New Yorkers know that their city is waking up and coming back strongly — and I can’t think of a more uplifting way to celebrate than to enjoy live music from some of the world’s most renowned artists, on the Great Lawn of NYC’s Central Park,” adds Danny Meyer, Board Chairman of the NYCEDC and CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group. “I’m thrilled to join Mayor de Blasio, Clive Davis and Geoff Gordon for what I know will be an event for the ages.”

Expedia is the presenting sponsor and official travel companion of event, helping travelers rediscover the magic of travel and live music. Expedia will give away up to 1,000 concert tickets to select Expedia Rewards members, and provide a variety of other ways for travelers to win tickets in the lead-up to the event. In addition, Expedia will spotlight popular NYC hotels, flights, activities and more to help travelers plan and get the most out of their trip.

Gates will open at 3 pm EDT on Saturday, August 21st. The concert will begin at 5 pm EDT and air live worldwide exclusively on CNN, CNN International, CNN en Español, and unauthenticated on CNNGo.

Reasonable accommodation will be provided for persons unable to get vaccinated because of a disability.

In addition to the Central Park concert, NYC Homecoming Week, a citywide celebration of New York City’s resilience, will also include from August 14th through August 22nd featuring live concerts, produced by the Universal Hip Hop Museum, in the Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Queens; free movie screenings by Rooftop Films; cultural activities and public art; and iconic events including NYC Restaurant Week and Summer Streets.

The five-borough week of events will drive support for the mom-and-pop businesses that define our neighborhoods and that kept the heart of the city beating throughout the COVID pandemic.

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