Katy Perry lights up the night with epic 'Firework' performance during 'Celebrating America' event
After President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris' whirlwind first day in Washington, D.C., the newly anointed leaders were honored Wednesday night with a concert, wrapping up the inauguration celebrations.
"Celebrating America" was hosted by Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks and took place on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. It was organized in lieu of traditional concerts and inaugural balls due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Inauguration Day is about much more than the swearing-in of our next national leaders. This day is about witnessing the permanence of our American ideal," said Hanks.
Among the A-list performers were John Legend, Katy Perry and Justin Timberlake, who performed "Better Days" alongside singer-songwriter Ant Clemons.
The event also highlighted first responders and essential workers around the country.
Kicking off the evening was Bruce Springsteen, who performed from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Here's a look at all of the night's performers:
Bruce Springsteen
The Grammy award-winning artist opened the show and delivered a hopeful and inspiring performance of his hit song, "Land of Hope and Dreams."
Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi and his band performed their own rendition of The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" from Florida, on a boardwalk at dusk.
Justin Timberlake and Ant Clemons
The duo performed "Better Days," a song they debuted during Stacey Abrams' Rock the Runoff virtual concert.
Foo Fighters
The band was introduced by Mackenzie Adams, a teacher from Seattle, who lead singer Dave Grohl said he identified with, as his mother was also a teacher. The group dedicated the performance of their song, "Times Like These," to all teachers across the country who have been teaching during the pandemic.
John Legend
Legend performed a moving performance of "Feelin' Good" by Nina Simone. The Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award-winning artist teased the song earlier in the day and alluded to the historic inaugural event in a tweet, "It's a new day."
Legend was joined in D.C. with his wife, model and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen, and their two kids.
Tim McGraw and Tyler Hubbard
The country singers performed their new song, "Undivided," which the duo wrote during quarantine.
Demi Lovato
Donning a new pink hairdo, Lovato performed a fun version of Bill Withers' "Lovely Day." The "I Love Me" singer's performance included clips of health care workers, essential workers and more Americans across the country singing to the hit song.
In a sweet moment during Lovato's performance, President Joe Biden watched her performance from the White House with his wife, first lady Jill Biden, and his grandson.
Katy Perry
In true Katy Perry fashion, the pop singer ended the night with an epic performance of her hit song "Firework" with an extravagant fireworks display lighting up the National Mall in the background.
Like Legend, Perry also teased an element of her performance earlier in the day in an Instagram post with several patriotic and festive mics. Can you guess which one she chose for her inaugural performance?
