As fans await Prince’s tribute song in the wake of the death of Freddie Gray, the musician has announced that he will host a concert at Baltimore’s Royal Farms Arena on 10 May.
With the 10pm curfew now lifted on the city, the Rally 4 Peace event asks those in attendance to wear the colour grey in honour of Gray, whose death in police custody last month set off protests and riots throughout the city.
“In a spirit of healing, the event is meant to be a catalyst for pause and reflection following the … violence that has gripped Baltimore and areas throughout the US,” Prince said in a statement. “As a symbolic message of our shared humanity and love for one another, attendees are invited to wear something gray in tribute to all those recently lost in the violence.”
As well as his band 3rdEyeGirl, it is suggested that “several industry superstars” will also be in attendance at the gig. The likes of Rihanna, Dev Hynes, Lorde, Gerard Way, Beyonce and Public Enemy’s Chuck D have shown their support during and after the riots.
News of this concert comes days after Prince announced that he had written Baltimore, a new track inspired by the situation in the Maryland city. The singer’s publicist told CNN that the song will not only pay tribute to the city’s people, but would also address social and political issues in the US, particularly the killing of young African-American men.
Tickets for the Rally 4 Peace event will go on sale Wednesday, 6 May at 5pm EST at Live Nation, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting local Baltimore-based youth charities.
According to Fox9.com, Prince is also said to be in talks with Jay Z about streaming the concert via Tidal.
