President Biden’s inauguration couldn't characteristic grand galas or star-studded balls throughout downtown Washington, in a nod to the coronaviru
President Biden’s inauguration couldn’t characteristic grand galas or star-studded balls throughout downtown Washington, in a nod to the coronavirus pandemic and the brand new administration’s effort to mannequin public well being conduct it hopes People will undertake.
However presidential inaugurations are additionally cultural touchstones and moments to do one thing with tens of millions of eyeballs watching on tv and on-line. So the Presidential Inaugural Committee organized a 90-minute musical celebration to commemorate the day — one which has the additional advantage of demonstrating Mr. Biden’s help from a big selection of A-list performers, one thing former President Donald J. Trump longed for however by no means obtained.
“In the previous couple of weeks, in the previous couple of years, we’ve witnessed deep divisions and a troubling rancor in our land,” stated Tom Hanks, the host of this system. “However tonight, we ponder the USA of America — the apply of our democracy.”
The particular, which started at 8:30 p.m. Jap and was carried stay by the main networks and most cable information stations, had a lineup that includes Katy Perry, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jon Bon Jovi, Ant Clemons, Foo Fighters, John Legend, Demi Lovato, Bruce Springsteen and Justin Timberlake, a lot of whom campaigned for Mr. Biden and, in previous campaigns, for former President Barack Obama.
To open this system, Mr. Springsteen greeted People and stated he was “proud” to be in Washington. Then he started to carry out “Land of Hope and Desires,” which he supplied as “a small prayer for our nation.”
As has been the customized at large Democratic political occasions, viewers then toggled between musical performances by celebrities — lots of the songs that have been chosen featured themes a few shiny future — and temporary remarks from common People. There was an 8-year-old lady from Wisconsin who raised $50,000 from a digital lemonade stand to feed the hungry; a nurse from New York who was the primary American to obtain the coronavirus vaccine; and a UPS driver from Virginia who was beloved by his prospects for delivering packages throughout the pandemic.
This system additionally featured remarks from Mr. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris — who was launched by Sarah Fuller, the primary girl to play in a Energy 5 soccer recreation — in addition to a dialog between former Presidents Invoice Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
The night time concluded with Katy Perry singing her hit track “Firework” as fireworks lit the night time sky, illuminating the Washington Monument behind her. Halfway via the efficiency, Mr. Biden and the primary woman, Jill Biden, emerged to absorb the show for themselves.
“In some ways, this second embodies our character as a nation,” Ms. Harris — the primary girl, first Black individual and first individual of South Asian descent to carry her workplace — stated in her remarks earlier within the night. “It demonstrates who we’re. Even in darkish occasions, we not solely dream. We do.”
“This,” she stated, “is American aspiration.”