Priyanka, Rihanna, Metallica, Kendrick Lamar at Global Citizen Festival

The annual UN event to help eradicate poverty was held in New York’s Central Park for free

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Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Rihanna ran through her pop and R&B hits, Eddie Vedder partnered with Chris Martin and Kendrick Lamar was enthusiastic and energetic during his hourlong set at the Global Citizen Festival in New York.

Metallica, Ellie Goulding, Usher and Yandel also performed familiar songs on Saturday at the free event on the Great Lawn in Central Park. The show aired live on MSNBC.

Major Lazer kicked off the festival, performing hits such as Lean On and was backed by lively dancers. At one point they all wore New York Mets jerseys onstage. Demi Lovato followed with strong singing. (She replaced Selena Gomez.)

Fans earned free tickets by promoting the importance of education. The event was hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, Salma Hayek Pinault, Chelsea Handler, Priyanka Chopra and Hugh Jackman and his actress-wife Deborra-Lee Furness.

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