CBS Radio's fifth annual We Can Survive benefit concert could only be described as an outpouring of love. The Hollywood Bowl event, which was put on to raise money for breast cancer research, was soundtracked by sets from P!nk, Harry Styles, Macklemore, Alessia Cara, surprise guest Niall Horan, Sam Smith, Lorde, Kesha, Sam Hunt and Khalid.
Label and radio weasels were out in force, but it was all in good spirits and for a great cause. “To celebrate the show’s fifth anniversary we’ve assembled our biggest ever line-up at the legendary Hollywood Bowl,” CBS Radio EVP Programming Chris Oliviero shared in advance. “We Can Survive is an especially unique show which brings together today’s most popular artists and their fans to raise awareness for a worthy cause and celebrate survivors.”
P!nk's headlining set opened and closed with classic smashes "Get This Party Started" and "Raise Your Glass," respectively. She also dished out an array of gems from her brand new chart-topping album, Beautiful Trauma—namely "What About Us," "Beautiful Trauma" and "Barbies."
As expected, Styles' set was comprised mainly of new material from his self-titled solo album ("Two Ghosts," "Carolina," "Only Angel," "Sign of the Times" and "Kiwi"), but to much delight, the former boyband member also played One Direction song "What Makes You Beautiful"—his mom's favorite song, as he pointed out to the audience.
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| Khalid with HITS' Todd Hensley |
Macklemore and Kesha teamed up during the latter's set to do their buzzing collaboration, "Good Old Days." An energized Macklemore, who showed how well he can hype up a crowd, also performed "Thrift Shop," "Downtown," "Can't Hold Us," "Same Love" and "Glorious."
Kesha's "Praying" dropped jaws, and her "Woman" proved to be a righteous anthem.
Alessia Cara brilliantly closed her set with "Scars to Your Beautiful," but also wowed with "Wild Things" and breakout hit "Here."
Lorde, accompanied by a solo piano, took breaths away with "Liability." Sam Smith gracefully wove new songs "Too Good at Goodbyes" and "Pray" in with the well-known "Like I Can," "Not the Only One" and "Stay With Me." Sam Hunt's "Body Like a Back Road" stood tall as the party starter it is. And Khalid's "Young Dumb & Broke" had everyone on their feet.
Throughout the evening, messages of hope rang extra loudly, as did the promotion of equality and self-love. Given the current state of America and the recent terror in Las Vegas, the event turned out to be just what the doctor ordered. The joy was palpable, and the sound was on point, so there really was no reason to complain.
**Photos by Samantha Hissong**
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| Hensley with CBS Radio's Andre Fernandez |
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| Def Jam's Rick Sackheim, Noah Sheer and Nicki Farag, Alessia Cara & Hensley |
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| Hensley, CBS Radio's Michael Martin & Warner Bros.' Peter Gray |
