Benson Boone and RAYE have been added to the already star-studded line-up for the 2024 Global Citizen Festival in New York’s Central Park. The pair join a previously announced roster of acts that includes Post Malone, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll and Rauw Alejandro.
“Ending extreme poverty is a responsibility we all share,” said Boone in a statement. “I’m grateful to be involved in Global Citizen’s mission by helping those who are living in extreme poverty. I hope we can all come together to take action and make a real difference in the world.”
The festival hosted by Global Citizen Ambassador Hugh Jackman will also feature special appearances by primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall and Coldplay singer Chris Martin. As part of its portfolio of environmental sustainability efforts, this year’s even will also become one of the first major U.S. festivals to be powered entirely by hybrid energy.
According to a release, the Central Park stage will be powered by the same kind of SmartGrid battery system used to power Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres world tour, including all audio, lighting, video and stage production. Working with Showpower Global B.V. and CES Power, Global Citizen Fest will become one of the first major U.S. festivals to move away from using diesel generators in order to reduce the event’s carbon emissions.
Among the confirmed presenters scheduled to take the stage on Central Parks’ Great Lawn on Sept. 28 are: Antoni Porowski, Bill Nye, Bridget Moynahan, Charlamagne Tha God, Danai Gurira, Eric Adjepong, Gavin DeGraw, Jordan Fisher, Kal Penn, Liza Koshy, Doctor Mike Varshavski, Nomzamo Mbatha, Osi Umenyiora, Rachel Brosnahan, Rhett & Link, Sophia Bush and Vladimir Duthiers.
The group leading the international push to end extreme poverty is once again offering fans free tickets, which can be earned by taking action on the Global Citizen app or on the organization’s site here in an effort to defeat poverty, defend the planet and demand equity.
“Global Citizen Festival has always been about using the power of music and activism to drive real, tangible change. This year, we’re taking bold steps to protect our planet, from powering our stage with clean energy to advocating for Indigenous-led projects that preserve the Amazon and calling for a global Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty,” added Global Citizen co-founder Michael Sheldrick in a statement. “These efforts are about ensuring that the transition to a sustainable future leaves no one behind – whether it’s communities in the Global South or right here in New York. We’re calling on world leaders, businesses, and citizens alike to join us in mobilizing action towards a just transition to clean energy and a safer planet for all.”
Global Citizen will also mark the start of Climate Week with a beach clean-up on Sept. 21 in partnership with the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy. Fans can also earn free tickets the the festival by removing trash and marine debris from the shores of Jamaica Bay and documenting the year’s “Dirty Dozen” most commonly found trash items; click here to register and for more information.
Official Global Citizen 2024 merch is available now, with responsibly sourced items made in collaboration with Doja Cat, Alejandro, Aviator Nation and more; click here to see the items.
Among the calls to action for this year’s event is one asking the G7 nations — Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, the U.K. and the U.S. — to increase support for anti-poverty programs worldwide, as well as one calling for businesses, governments and philanthropic organizations to protect and restore the Amazon rainforest by investing $1 billion to help support indigenous communities and pledge to set timelines for phasing out coal, oil and gas to ensure a transition to green energy. The third action point is Global Citizen’s plea for world governments to commit at least $5 billion to equitable access to nutritious food, stronger health systems and quality education around the world.
