DUBAI: Palestinian Chilean singer Elyanna will perform at the Global Citizen Festival in New York on Sept. 27, alongside Colombian superstar Shakira, US rapper Cardi B and South African singer Tyla.
The festival will take place in New York’s Central Park with the goal of “ending extreme poverty.” The annual event supports campaigns to improve energy access across Africa and defend the Amazon against deforestation.
It aims to secure commitments to bring clean, reliable energy to 1 million people in Africa, mobilize $200 million for indigenous and local entrepreneurs to protect a chunk of the Amazon rainforest the size of Italy, and raise at least $30 million to help community-based education programs improve children’s literacy.
The festival is timed to coincide with the UN General Assembly that takes place in New York each September. The inaugural event, in 2012, drew 60,000 attendees.
This year, it will be hosted by Hollywood star Hugh Jackman.
Elyanna has a busy schedule for the rest of 2025, including performing at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix post-race concert on Dec. 5 at Etihad Park on Yas Island.
The Los Angeles-based singer’s music is a mix of Arab and Western beats, which she attributes to her multicultural upbringing. In 2023, she became the first Palestinian artist to perform at Coachella, the popular music festival held annually in Indio, California. She also set a precedent as the first Arabic-language artist to perform at the event.
Elyanna has a strong relationship with British rock giants Coldplay, collaborating with the band on the song “We Pray” and joining them on stage in multiple cities, including Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Barcelona and Paris.
One of her standout appearances was during Coldplay’s four-night concert series in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, part of their “Music of the Spheres” world tour.
In April, Elyanna teamed up with the band to release a new version of “Ma Meilleure Ennemie,” a track originally performed by Belgian artist Stromae and French singer Pomme.
