Vax Live gig raises $302 million for worldwide vaccine efforts

Among the acts performing at The Global Citizen's live-streamed concert event for vaccination efforts over the weekend were Dublin outfit – and recent Hot Press cover stars –  Picture This. The concert was a roaring success, raising over $300 million to support global vaccination efforts against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Recorded on May 2nd and broadcast on Saturday, May 8th, 'Vax Live: The Concert To Reunite The World' also saw appearances from US President Joe Biden and Prince Harry, alongside live performances from Jennifer Lopez, Eddie Vedder, Foo Fighters, J Balvin, H.E.R and many others.

The money raised will reportedly fund over 26 million vaccination doses. Selena Gomez hosted the concert and Ben Affleck, Chrissy Teigen, Jimmy Kimmel, Sean Penn and David Letterman were among the guest speakers.

"It was such an amazing thing to be a part of something this big," Picture This frontman Ryan Hennessy told the BBC, recalling how his parents used to discuss the impact of other global arts efforts like Live Aid.

One of the largest gigs to take place in Southern California since the coronavirus pandemic began last year, the show saw mega-stars the Foo Fighters join Brian Johnson on a rendition of AC/DC's 'Back In Black'.

Eddie Vedder – of Pearl Jam fame – performed two songs at the event, including 'Corduroy', as well as a cover of Little Steven's 'I Am A Patriot'. His backing band included ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.

"If you're a government, if you’re a world leader, and you have excess vaccine, please don’t stockpile," Vedder said from the stage. "Please make it available to the countries that need it. Please distribute it ASAP.

"And if you’re a drug company, we thank you for your inventions," he added, going on to say: "If you really wanted to be heroes, if you want history to look back and smile upon you as heroes, it would be great if you could distribute this vaccine at cost and then you’d have a fair and equitable distribution system throughout the planet, and that’s how we will survive and conquer this pandemic."