NEW YORK (AP) – The sounds of the songs will be heard from Central Park on Saturday, with thousands expected for a concert laden with superstars that was to celebrate the recovery of the coronavirus in New York City.
Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Jennifer Hudson, Carlos Santana, LL Cool J and Andrea Bocelli are among the performers of what is called “Back Home Concert.”
Saturday’s event comes after a series of hip-hop concerts over the past week at the city’s outdoor venues.
Despite the cheerful intent, the concert takes place when they worry about the contagious delta variant of COVID-19.
According to state statistics, New York City over the past week has averaged just under 2,000 new cases of COVID-19 a day. That’s just under 200 cases a day in late June. Only 54% of city residents are fully vaccinated against the virus.
People attending the concert, most of whom were given away for free, must prove vaccination. The show will also air.
Others expected to perform are Barry Manilow, Wyclef Jean, Elvis Costello, Cynthia Erivo and Patti Smith, who duets with Springsteen.