The third annual Global Citizen Festival lineup has been announced for 2014. Topping the bill is New York's own Jay Z alongside No Doubt, Tiësto, fun., The Roots, and Carrie Underwood. The one-day festival will take place September 27 on The Great Lawn in New York's Central Park.
The event coincides each year with the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York. Their aim is to end world poverty by 2030 -- within a generation. Tickets for the festival are "earned" rather than purchased. People who wish to attend the festival will have the opportunity to sign petitions, take quizzes, volunteer and educate themselves to earn points that they can later cash in for entry into the lottery.
Among the "actions" that music fans can complete to earn points is signing a petition that calls on world leaders to contribute to the GAVI alliance, an organization that provides vaccinations for children in impoverished countries.
Last year's lineup drew a crowd of 60,000, the majority of whom earned their tickets by volunteering, signing petitions or furthering information about worldwide poverty. Performers included Elvis Costello, Kings of Leon, Janelle Monae, John Mayer and Stevie Wonder. In between sets, celebrities including Bono, Olivia Wilde, Gerard Butler as well as political figures talked about the need to end extreme poverty and what their organizations are doing to help.
A total of 48,000 free tickets will be given out for this year's Global Citizen Festival. A limited number of VIP tickets will also be available for purchase with special offers for Citi card members.
The Global Citizen Festival is the flagship event for the Global Citizen movement. However, they have been launching other events throughout the year across the country.
Jay released a statement about his decision to sign on to the charity project. "Change only takes place when and where there is action," the rapper said. "I'm joining the 2014 Global Citizen Festival because I believe through actions, whether it be by raising awareness, getting involved or educating ourselves, the goal to end extreme poverty by 2030 is possible."
Global Citizen Festival will be the first show No Doubt has played together in two years. Bassist and co-founder Tony Kanal spoke to Rolling Stone about their addition to the lineup saying, "It's a great way to get us back on stage. It was such an honor to be asked to play this particular concert. It's unacceptable that over 1 billion people live in extreme poverty, and it's got a pretty eclectic lineup, which reflects the event's true spirit of diversity."
Tiësto also spoke to Rolling Stone about his inclusion in the event.
"Global Poverty Project's effort to end extreme poverty by 2030 is a cause I strongly support," Tiësto told them. "I am incredibly honored to be part of this year's lineup for the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park and to add my voice and the voices of my fans to those calling on the world's leaders to throw their weight behind GPP's efforts. It's going to be an amazing show in one of the most unique venues in the world."
Although they have been busy working on their new album, fun. told Rolling Stone that the offer to perform live was too good to pass up.
"We couldn't pass up a chance to play Central Park for such a great cause," band member Andrew Dost told them. "Our manager has been pretty protective of our time lately because we've been working on a new album. But when he brought this to our attention, we were all excited about it."
For more statements and information on the festival, head over to Rolling Stone. To begin working toward free tickets, register at globalcitizenfestival.org.
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