Watch U2's Bono and The Edge Join Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder at Obama Center Ceremony

Bruce Springsteen, U2’s Bono and the Edge, Eddie Vedder, Stevie Wonder and several other artists were among the stars who performed at the Obama Presidential Center’s grand opening celebration. Watch the footage below.

The event celebrated the launch of former President Barack Obama’s Presidential Center in Chicago and was held yesterday (June 18), one day before the venue officially opened to the public.

Alongside Bono, the Edge, Springsteen, Vedder and Wonder, the evening also featured appearances from Christina Aguilera, Common, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Marc Anthony, Marsai Martin, the Roots, and Tems.

The Roots opened the show with a groove driven version of Donald Byrd’s ‘Change (Makes You Want to Hustle)’, which flowed into their own track ‘You Got Me’. They then moved into a rendition of Bob Marley’s ‘Get Up, Stand Up’ before finishing the segment with Kool & The Gang’s ‘Jungle Boogie’.

Later in the programme, Jennifer Hudson delivered the national anthem and also performed The Man of La Mancha’s ‘The Impossible Dream (The Quest)’. Christina Aguilera followed with a unique interpretation of Louis Armstrong’s ‘What a Wonderful World’.

Chicago born musician Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam then appeared on stage with local non profit organisation Guitars Over Guns, which supports young people from underserved communities through music and mentorship. Together, they premiered a new song titled ‘Better Believe’, which he co wrote with the group.

John Legend followed with a cover of Donny Hathaway’s ‘Someday We’ll All Be Free’ before Common joined him for a performance of their award winning collaboration ‘Glory’.

U2’s Bono and the Edge then took the stage with producer Jackknife Lee for an intimate version of ‘City of Blinding Lights’. The song, originally featured on ‘How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb’, became closely associated with Obama’s presidential campaign events. Before beginning, Bono joked: “We’re here representing the Irish in Chicago.”

Later in the event, Springsteen stepped up to perform ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’. Before launching into the song, he told the audience: “I’m so glad to be here this afternoon for President Obama and Michelle, Malia and Sasha, you know how I love you all.”

“Oh, what a glorious task we are given to continually strive to improve this great nation of ours.’ That was from President Obama’s speech in Selma,” he continued. “President Obama and Michelle, you have exemplified that ideal with lives that have served us all with heart and commitment, love and compassion.”

Stevie Wonder brought the ceremony to a close with energetic performances of ‘All I Do’ and ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)’. He later welcomed Hudson, Aguilera, Legend, Vedder, Springsteen, Common and The Roots back to the stage for a group rendition of ‘Higher Ground’.

“I want you to remember, all of you, never let fear put your dreams to sleep,” he told the crowd during his set.

Watch below.

Springsteen’s appearance comes amid years of vocal criticism directed at Donald Trump. The rock icon has repeatedly used both interviews and live performances to challenge the President and his administration.

Among their well documented clashes, The Boss has called for Trump to be impeached and “consigned to the trash heap of history”, while also describing him as “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous”.

He also wrote the politically driven track ‘Streets Of Minneapolis’ after ICE agents killed two civilians in Minnesota, referred to Trump on stage as a “President who can’t handle the truth”, publicly backed the No Kings movement, and criticised the administration’s so called “anti-weaponisation fund”.

Trump has responded on several occasions, labelling Springsteen a “pushy, obnoxious JERK” and a “dried out ‘prune’ of a rocker”. The White House also criticised Springsteen’s tour before it began, claiming the musician suffers from a “severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has rotted his brain”.

During a recent conversation with Bono, Springsteen said he hopes to discover some “common ground” with supporters who have distanced themselves because of his political views.