Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Billie Eilish headline Global Citizen Live, the world’s biggest charity gig since Live Aid

Some of music’s biggest stars will perform at the Aussie-led Global Citizen Live event, the world’s biggest-ever 24-hour broadcast.

ED Sheeran, Coldplay, Billie Eilish and Metallica lead a who’s who of music superstars performing at the Global Citizen Live event, the world’s biggest-ever 24-hour broadcast.

The concert is the marquee event in Global Citizen’s year-long campaign to help end Covid by lobbying governments, philanthropists and the private sector for financial commitments to kickstart a global recovery.

Billie Eilish will perform for Global Citizen Live. Picture: Kelia Anne MacCluskey

To be staged on September 25, ahead of the G20 summit and COP26 climate meetings, the ambitious broadcast aims to pressure governments and corporations to contribute resources to protect and restore at least one billion trees by 2022 to curb climate change and provide meals for more than 40 million people on the brink of famine.

The organisers are also calling for the donation of at least one billion vaccine doses to those most in need by September, particularly in Africa which is suffering the one of the fastest growths in infection.

Deborra-Lee Furness and Hugh Jackman will join the big gig. Picture: Supplied.

Global Citizen ambassadors Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness will help host the 24-hour broadcast featuring artists, activists and world leaders at iconic locations across the globe, including Sydney, Central Park in New York and the Champ de Mars in Paris.

Other artists already booked to perform include Adam Lambert, Alessia Cara, Andrea Bocelli, BTS, Camila Cabello, Demi Lovato, Doja Cat, Duran Duran, Femi Kuti, Green Day, H.E.R., Lizzo, Lorde, Ricky Martin, Shawn Mendes, The Weeknd and Usher.

Australian activist and Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans said the pandemic had drastically stalled projects aimed at alleviating world poverty and climate change.

Lizzo will be performing to help alleviate world poverty exacerbated by Covid. Picture: Getty.

“COVID-19 has drastically reversed the progress toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals pushing upwards of 160 million people back into extreme poverty,” he said.

“There are now more than 40 million people on the brink of famine.

“Progress on climate change has halted, as the majority of the Fortune 500 fail to set science-based carbon reduction targets.

“We must rectify the damage done and hold world leaders and businesses accountable for ensuring that the entire world recovers from this pandemic together. ‘Equitable recovery’ is not an act of charity – it is the only way we can ensure a fighting chance at achieving a sustainable world free from extreme poverty.”

The Weeknd said the world needs to pay attention to the famine crisis in Ethiopia. Picture: Getty.

The ambitious music event was announced on the 36th anniversary of the Live Aid concert, which sought to save millions from starvation in Ethiopia. The African nation is in the grips of another famine crisis.

“It is very important to me to be a part of this historic event to spread awareness and encourage action toward helping the people of Ethiopia during this devastating humanitarian crisis they are faced with. It’ll be an honour to perform and help bring support to these citizens who are suffering so severely,” The Weeknd said.

Coldplay will be appealing to a Higher Power to save the world at the gig. Picture: AAP.

Organisers have also pointed out that “Space can wait” as the world’s billionaires spend astronomical sums on exploring the universe before taking care of their own backyard.

“As we humans spend billions of dollars in search of newer worlds in outer space, Global Citizen Live brings us back down to earth by reminding the global community that charity should begin at home and we must preserve our earth and be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. We owe it to ourselves and generations yet unborn. Space can wait!” said Geoffrey Onyeama, the Foreign Minister of Nigeria.

The Australian television broadcast partners are yet to be announced but Global Citizen Live will also air on YouTube and Twitter.

Originally published as Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Billie Eilish headline Global Citizen Live, the world’s biggest charity gig since Live Aid