HUNDREDS OF thousands of people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington last night for the opening event of Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration, a star-studded concert celebrating national unity in diversity.
Bono, Beyonce, Jamie Foxx and Tom Hanks were among the artists who performed songs and read texts on the theme “We Are One”.
The vast crowd, which stretched from the memorial around the giant reflecting pool and beyond the Washington Monument, greeted Mr Obama and his wife Michelle with a great cheer as they descended the steps below the statue of Lincoln.
The president-elect and his wife joined their daughters Sasha and Malia behind a screen of protective glass as the concert began. Mr Obama told the crowd that they reflected the diversity of the coalition that drove his election campaign.
“As I prepare to assume the presidency, yours are the voices I will take with me every day I walk into that Oval Office – the voices of men and women who have different stories but hold common hopes; who ask only for what was promised us as Americans – that we might make of our lives what we will and see our children climb higher than we did.”
Bruce Springsteen was the first musician on stage, singing The Rising, backed by a red-robed gospel choir.
Addressing Mr Obama, Bono said: “It’s not just an American dream: it’s an Irish dream, a European dream, an African dream, an Israeli dream, an Irish dream. What a thrill for four Irish boys from the northside of Dublin to honour you, sir.”
Foxx drew laughter when he lapsed into an impersonation of Mr Obama, quoting the president-elect’s election night remarks: “If there’s anyone who still doubts that America is not a place where all things are possible, tonight is your answer.”
Among the musical highlights were a duet featuring Bettye LaVette and Jon Bon Jovi singing A Change is Gonna Comeand Mary J Blige's version of Lean on Me, which had the future first lady singing along.
The crowd erupted later when Will.i.am, Herbie Hancock and Sheryl Crow came together to perform Bob Marley's One Loveand when country star Garth Brooks sang American Pie.
Vice-president-elect Joe Biden delivered an impassioned speech about the dignity of work, pointing out the great memorials of Washington, which were “all built, stone by stone, by American men and women”.
Authorities in Washington are expecting between up to two million people for the extended inauguration weekend, despite forecasts for snow. Commuter trains into Washington were packed and traffic was congested by mid-morning yesterday as crowds poured in through security checkpoints.
Earlier, the president-elect and Mr Biden laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington Cemetery before Mr and Mrs Obama attended church.