Music legend helps close out ‘A Concert For Charlottesville’

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Some of the biggest names in music came together Sunday night to promote unity and lift spirits in the town of Charlottesville.

The Dave Matthews Band, which formed in town, organized the free concert in response to last month’s events that drew national attention.

In August, a white nationalist rally and a counterprotest ended in tragedy when a driver plowed a car into a crowd, leaving several people injured and one woman, Heather Heyer, dead.

“This place is such a good place. And it’s so full of love. And it’s so full of hope,” Matthews told the crowd.

Dave Matthews welcomed fans to the concert and kicked off the music.
(WTOP/Michelle Basch) — Dave Matthews welcomed fans to the concert and kicked off the music. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

The rumors were true: Chris Martin of Coldplay is here @WTOP #concertforcharlottesville pic.twitter.com/g92r0DM8x4
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) September 24, 2017

The rumors were true: Chris Martin of Coldplay also made an appearance. (WTOP/Michelle Basch) (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

Susan Bro, mother of Heather Heyer who was killed in Charlottesville last month, also took the stage @WTOP #concertforcharlottesville pic.twitter.com/rklPKHdqP5
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) September 24, 2017

Susan Bro, the mother of Heather Heyer, who was killed in Charlottesville last month, also took the stage. (WTOP/Michelle Basch) (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

"I'm in Virginia right now.
I'm home!"
said Pharrell Williams.
He had the audience dancing and singing along to "Happy." (WTOP/Michelle Basch) — “I’m in Virginia right now. I’m home!” said Pharrell Williams. He had the audience dancing and singing along to “Happy.” (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

More Chris Stapleton at #concertforcville. Fans here tell me it's wonderful to see artists who sincerely care enough to be here @WTOP pic.twitter.com/mPohg5REGD
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) September 25, 2017

More Chris Stapleton at “A Concert for Charlottesville.” (WTOP/Michelle Basch) (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

Next up, performances by Ariana Grande and Justin Timberlake.
(WTOP/Michelle Basch) — Next up, performances by Ariana Grande and Justin Timberlake. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

Fans cheer as their favorite stars take the stage. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

Justin Timberlake sings "A Change is Gonna Come" @WTOP #concertforcharlottesville pic.twitter.com/bD1oCNBrOa
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) September 25, 2017

Justin Timberlake sings “A Change is Gonna Come.” (WTOP/Michelle Basch) (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

Next up: Dave Matthews Band. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

Dave Matthews Band opens with their 1998 song "Don't Drink the Water." (WTOP/Michelle Basch) — Dave Matthews Band opens with their 1998 song “Don’t Drink the Water.” (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

Stevie Wonder also makes an appearance.
(WTOP/Michelle Basch) — Stevie Wonder also makes an appearance. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

Stevie Wonder & Dave Matthews "take a knee" together @WTOP #concert4cville pic.twitter.com/xfwA0OG5VT
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) September 25, 2017

Stevie Wonder and Dave Matthews “take a knee together.” (WTOP/Michelle Basch) (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

Steve Wonder + Dave Matthews Band team up for "Superstition" @WTOP #concert4cville I think quite a few fans left too early! pic.twitter.com/7SsEB8hLlV
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) September 25, 2017

Stevie Wonder and Dave Matthews Band team up for “Superstition.” (WTOP/Michelle Basch) (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

Crazy lines here at Scott Stadium to get into A Concert For Charlottesville. This is just a small part @WTOP pic.twitter.com/lxDnCSh8FP
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) September 24, 2017

The crowd at Scott Stadium’s East Gate waiting to get into the venue. (WTOP/Michelle Basch) (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

A look at the merchandise on sale. Net proceeds will be donated to the Concert for Charlottesville fund. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

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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.”

Although tickets to the concert were free, concertgoers were encouraged to donate to the Concert For Charlottesville Fund.

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.