The 60th annual Grammy Awards were held on Sunday in New York, with many notable performances, including one by Irish rock band U2. Instead of a usual stage, however, their highly political performance took place on a barge on Hudson River in front of the iconic Statue of Liberty. The background of the stage features the work of world renowned French artist, JR, whose photographic installations can be viewed at the abandoned hospital at Ellis Island. (We conduct hard hat tours there every weekend, which you can book tickets for below!)
Behind-the-Scenes Hard Hat Tour of the Abandoned Ellis Island Hospital

The performance was prefaced by a reading of Emma Lazarus’ poem “The New Colossus,” which is featured on the base of the statue. Singer Camila Cabello also introduced U2 by sharing a political message stressing the importance of “Dreamers” in the United States.
The cameras then quickly cut to U2 playing their hit song “Get Out of Your Own Way” off of their latest album “Songs of Experience.” Shortly after performing, lead singer Bono addressed President Trump’s recent disparaging comments about the people of Haiti, stating in a Tweet, “Blessed are the shithole countries for they gave us the American Dream.”
U2 also paid tribute to DACA recipients and their segment added to the Grammy’s immigration centered theme.
Next, check out the Top 10 Secrets of the Statue of Liberty.