Those who attended this years Global Citizen Festival were treated to a very special performance when Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder and Queen B came together for an unexpected duet. The pair performed the classic Redemption Song, released by Bob Marley in 1980. Interjected with a speech from Nelson Mandela, the moving number proved its lasting relevance more than thirty years after its original release. The track is stripped back and bare, with just Vedder’s acoustic guitar and the two powerhouse voices.
In a one-time-only blend of voices from the king of grunge and the queen of pop, the harmonies and vocal tango is soft, gorgeous, and a long way from the raspy wails we’re more used to from Vedder. Beyonce shines, as usual, sitting casually in her chair in jeans and a t-shirt, belting out notes that prove her claim to royalty.
Taking place in Central Park New York on Sunday, the Global Citizen Festival is a politically driven event aimed at raising awareness and action to help fight extreme poverty and inequality around the world, and support sustainability for people and the planet. The mega event was headlined by Pearl Jam, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran and Coldplay and featured guest appearances from Michelle Obama, Katie Holmes and a whole lot more.
Check out the performance below and other event footage here.