A large crowd gathers in Central Park for the "We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert."
In pictures: NYC's comeback concert cut short
A large crowd gathers in Central Park for the "We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert."
Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Updated 1:32 PM EDT, Sun August 22, 2021

Some of music's biggest names descended on New York City's iconic Central Park for the "We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert" on Saturday to perform for a vaccinated crowd of 60,000.

The concert was meant to be "a celebration of New York City's comeback" after a challenging 17 months marked by the Covid-19 pandemic and to "promote health, safety, and equity," according to a news release for the show. It aired exclusively on CNN.

Nearly three hours after the event started, attendees were evacuated due to severe weather ahead of Hurricane Henri's anticipated Sunday landfall.

Earth, Wind and Fire perform a soundcheck ahead of the concert on August 21.
Earth, Wind and Fire perform a soundcheck ahead of the concert on August 21.
Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
Spectators wait for the concert to begin.
Spectators wait for the concert to begin.
Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty Images
Jennifer Hudson performs "Nessun Dorma."
Jennifer Hudson performs "Nessun Dorma."
Gotham/WireImage/Getty Images
A staff member distributes free masks before the concert.
A staff member distributes free masks before the concert.
Jeenah Moon/AP
Andrea Bocelli performs "O Sole Mio."
Andrea Bocelli performs "O Sole Mio."
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
A view of the crowd during the concert.
A view of the crowd during the concert.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Scorpio, Spliff Star, Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe, LL Cool J, and Remy Ma perform onstage.
Scorpio, Spliff Star, Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe, LL Cool J, and Remy Ma perform onstage.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
A member of the audience uses a phone to capture the moment.
A member of the audience uses a phone to capture the moment.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
Guitar legend Carlos Santana performs "Maria Maria." Wyclef Jean joined Santana for the performance.
Guitar legend Carlos Santana performs "Maria Maria." Wyclef Jean joined Santana for the performance.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
The crowd cheers during the concert
The crowd cheers during the concert
Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images
Arnel Pineda and Neal Schon of Journey perform "Don't Stop Believin'."
Arnel Pineda and Neal Schon of Journey perform "Don't Stop Believin'."
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Clouds build over the bandstand in Central Park.
Clouds build over the bandstand in Central Park.
Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty Images
Barry Manilow is interrupted while performing onstage. The concert was suspended due to weather.
Barry Manilow is interrupted while performing onstage. The concert was suspended due to weather.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
A severe weather warning is displayed on a screen, asking audience members to seek shelter.
A severe weather warning is displayed on a screen, asking audience members to seek shelter.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
Audience members begin to leave and take shelter from the weather.
Audience members begin to leave and take shelter from the weather.
Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty Images
While there was hope the concert would resume if the weather let up, organizers made the decision not to resume.
While there was hope the concert would resume if the weather let up, organizers made the decision not to resume.
Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty Images
Members of the audience leave the concert in search of shelter from the storm.
Members of the audience leave the concert in search of shelter from the storm.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
An empty stage is illuminated by the letters NYC.
An empty stage is illuminated by the letters NYC.
Will Lanzoni/CNN