On stage, there was both seriousness and playfulness.
Pharrell Williams, who’s from Virginia Beach, got “Happy,” and Justin Timberlake brought sexy back again.
But Brittany Howard from Alabama Shakes joined The Roots for a powerful version of “Ball of Confusion.”
Ariana Grande told fans “I just want to say … how proud I am to be part of a generation that is so passionate about creating a change and for making things better.”
Rumors turned out to be true when members of Coldplay and the legendary Stevie Wonder showed up unannounced.
At one point, Wonder took Matthews’ hand, and both went down on their knees on stage.
“I take a knee for America. Yes, I do. And two knees in prayer for our world. Amen,” Wonder said.
Wonder and the Dave Matthews Band closed out the concert with John Lennon’s “Imagine,” as well as Wonder’s hits “Love’s in Need of Love Today” and “Superstition.”
The money raised, along with net proceeds from T-shirts and other merchandise sold at the show, will go to victims of the violence and their families, first responders and others.