Summer bummer: We Love NYC concert
in the Great Lawn washed out by Henri
The crowd enjoying the We Love NYC concert in Central Park on Aug. 21, 2021, just before the
rain arrived.
BY DEAN MOSES
The We Love NYC concert
was rocking New York on
Saturday night, but then
the thunder and lightning rolled
in.
As the Big Apple planned to
showcase its victory rising from
the COVID-19 ashes with a starstudded
concert on Aug. 21, a
deluge of rain and lightning on the
night before the city was to get
a glancing blow from Hurricane
Henri washed out the celebration
in Central Park’s Great Lawn.
Commencing in the sticky
August heat, hundreds of revelers
poured into the iconic park to experience
the NYC Homecoming
Concert, the latest in-person event
designed to move the COVID-19
vaccine.
With a drought of entertainment
events for almost two years
due to the deadly virus and a
laundry list of renowned celebrities
dangling like carrots on a
hook, this free music mecca was
perhaps the greatest incentive for
those on the fence to receive the
life-saving jab since only those
showcasing proof of inoculation
could attend (children under 12
needed to show proof of a negative
COVID-19 test).
PHOTOS BY DEAN MOSES
The evening begins with
excitement
Approximately 80% of the
tickets were free to everyday New
Yorkers, while VIP badges sold
from $399 to $4,950 promising
front row seats, an open bar, and
more.
“We found out through a group
of friends, and we all decided to
come together, and it’s amazing,”
said Juan Luis, who has been vaccinated
since February. “This is
very exciting. We waited about
two hours and we are right in
front. We are looking forward to
seeing Bruce Springsteen, The
Killers, and I’m excited that we
are going to have a Latin artist,
Maluma, so we are very excited
with the amazing lineup.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio touted that
the Saturday extravaganza would
be a historic concert thanking all
who have been vaccinated. Teaming
up with legendary producer
Clive Davis, the stage was set to
feature live performances on the
Great Lawn from 5 p.m. to 10
p.m.; however, Henri had other
plans shutting down the extravaganza
by 8 p.m..
Prior to the storm putting a
damper on the outdoor event,
renowned artists stepped onto
the stage to say that New York is
alive and well.
The pumping beats reverberated
throughout the crowd,
where individuals jumped,
danced, screamed with joy, and
even tossed beach balls amongst
each other—it was set to be a
night to remember.
“Overnight it seemed our
hospitals filled, our streets
empty. The sound of a city that
had always crackled with life was
replaced by sirens where New
Yorkers were carried to overcrowded
hospitals, where beds
were scarce. Thankfully courage
and professionalism were not,”
said CBS morning show host
Gayle King, describing the efforts
made by frontline workers.
The fi rst set of musical renditions
included the New York
Philharmonic accompanied by
Andrea Bocelli and Jennifer Hudson,
whose performances invoked
an awe and joy from listeners as
they held each other. This event
was the fi nal of fi ve taking place
in each of the boroughs.
Hip Hop legend LL Cool J performs for the crowd attending
the “We Love NYC Homecoming Concert” on the Great Lawn
in Central Park.
“New York City fought our way
back from COVID because of our
essential workers. Everybody,
75% of all New Yorkers are vaccinated
now. Amazing,” de Blasio
exclaimed on stage alongside First
Lady, Chirlane McCray.
The Storm cometh
After about two hours and 30
minutes of rocking performances
from Carlos Santana, LL Cool
J, Earth Wind and Fire, and so
many more the concert came to
a screeching halt during Barry
Manilow’s rendition, “I can’t
smile without you” when news
of lightning over Battery Park
struck.
Through overhead speakers,
attendees were unceremoniously
advised to immediately
fi nd shelter due to the oncoming
thunderstorm. A scramble ensued
as some simply stood in ponchos
bemused while others clambered
to avoid the deluge.
Sending mixed messages,
Mayor Bill de Blasio rushed on a
now darkened stage, announcing
that while individuals should seek
shelter, he also begged for the
crowd to return once the storm
subsided. This announcement
coupled with warnings for folks
to leave caused mass confusion,
until fi nally, everyone was commanded
to exit the park and fi nd
shelter elsewhere.
For those rushing home, commuters
were herded by NYPD
offi cers who blocked the subway
entrances—to prevent overcrowding—
until another train arrived.
With over two hours passing
some spectators heeded the
mayor’s pleas and returned to see
the concert through, although the
stage has yet to host the rest of
the show with the likes of Bruce
Springsteen and The Killers.
The rain did not dampen these attendees experience.
12 August 26, 2021 Schneps Media