Annie Lennox Calls on ‘Artists for Ceasefire’ During Sinéad O’Connor Tribute at 2024 Grammys
New wave icon Annie Lennox brought her advocacy to the state of Crypto.com Arena on Sunday night (Feb. 4) when she called for a ceasefire in Palestine and Israel.
During the in memoriam tribute to the late Sinéad O’Connor, Lennox appeared on stage with fellow ’80s icons Wendy & Lisa to give a moving performance of “Nothing Compares 2 U.” As the song came to a close, Lennox — who had a single glitter-encrusted tear painted on her face — raised her fist into the air and shouted, “Artists for ceasefire! Peace in the world!”
Lennox was one of the dozens of artists who signed an open letter to President Joe Biden in late October 2023, calling on him “to honor all of the lives in the Holy Land and call for and facilitate a ceasefire without delay – an end to the bombing of Gaza, and the safe release of hostages.” The president has yet to openly advocate for a ceasefire.
Over the last few months, Lennox has dedicated much of her social media output to advocating for a ceasefire. Earlier in the day on Sunday, Lennox posted a lengthy Instagram caption in which she expressed her outrage at the ongoing bombings in Gaza. “Is there ANY point in posting every day to keep calling for peace and ceasefire, while it’s perfectly obvious that the military objective is to bring about the total decimation of Gaza and her people?” she wrote. “I find it impossible to witness these appalling atrocities and just be indifferent or silent.”
Lennox was just one in a cast of superstar performers at Sunday’s ceremony. Fellow nominees — including Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Luke Combs and plenty more — took to the stage to help celebrate Music’s Biggest Night during the telecast.
Stephen Daw
Billboard