The third Artists for Aid concert has raised $5.4 million for the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) and the Sudanese American Physicians Association (SAPA) during a star-studded event in Los Angeles on Saturday.

 

Canadian Sudanese artist Mustafa the Poet organised the concert, while supermodel Bella Hadid and actor Pedro Pascal hosted the evening at the Shrine Auditorium. The event aimed to provide immediate relief for children and medical care in Palestinian territories and Sudan through music and solidarity.

 

"I always knew that an artist's power did not come from their musical knowledge," Mustafa said while starting the event. "I always knew that an artist's power comes from the expansion of their empathy," he added.

 

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Hadid expressed awe at the turnout while opening the show. 

 

"Families living through unimaginable loss, displacement, hunger, violence, tonight we attempt to shield them from genocide, working to erase them. Even remembering is a protest and I truly, truly stand by that," she said.

 

"No matter what we can do in the world by just speaking, by loving and making sure they always feel heard is something that is most important in the entire world. Let's keep raising our voices and make sure these families and children know how much we stand with them," she concluded.

 

The concert featured an impressive lineup including Alex G, Blood Orange, Clairo, Daniel Caesar, Faye Webster, Geese, Jazmine Sullivan, Lucy Dacus, Mustafa, Noname, Noor Hindi, Omar Apollo, Raphael Saadiq, Rayn Lenae, Rex Orange County, Safia Elhillo, Shawn Mendes, Snoh Aalegra, Tamino and 070 Shake.

 

Chappell Roan made a surprise appearance during Dacus's set, delighting fans.

 

"My friend cold FaceTimed me a few days ago and said, 'Can I come sing with you at the show?' So I'd like to invite my friend Chappell Roan to the stage," Dacus told the crowd, which erupted in cheers.

 

Omar Apollo endearingly forgot the lyrics to his hit "Evergreen (You Didn't Deserve Me At All)" and sang them off his phone, while Shawn Mendes brought out Maggie Rogers for a duet of "Youth."

 

The night's most powerful performances addressing the current crises came from Palestinian American poet Noor Hindi and Sudanese American poet Safia Elhillo.

 

The PCRF attended the concert and shared on social media how honored they felt to be part of the event alongside thousands of attendees "who showed how global solidarity can become real action, sending a powerful message of care and hope to children who have endured so much in both Palestine and Sudan."

 

The foundation revealed that two evacuated children from Gaza attended the concert.

 

"We were especially moved to see Diaa and Ayham, two of our children who were evacuated from Gaza for life-saving treatment abroad, attending the concert in person, thriving and strong once again, just as we wish for all the children we serve," the PCRF stated.

 

The concert marks one of several relief efforts organized to raise funds for Palestine, but appears to be one of the first large-scale efforts for Sudan.

 

In October, a Pride and Prejudice table-read starring Ambika Mod and Daisy Ridley raised funds, and in September, a benefit concert hosted by Benedict Cumberbatch, Nicola Coughlan, Florence Pugh, and Richard Gere among others raised $2 million.

 

Amnesty International has said that Israel continues to commit genocide in Gaza despite a ceasefire. At least 68,000 Palestinians died in Israel's genocide that devastated hospitals, schools, and homes.

 

Sudan has faced a vicious civil war since April 2023. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the main paramilitary militia fighting the Sudanese military, recently committed reported atrocities in the town of El-Fasher, bringing global attention to the brutal conflict.

 

The RSF laid siege to the town for 18 months before finally capturing it. Eyewitnesses described scenes of absolute horror, including bodies lying in the streets, mass executions, rape and torture. 

 

The International Criminal Court has stated that the brutalities committed in El-Fasher could constitute crimes against humanity.