To begin inauguration week, US president-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris have organised a week of virtual events. The slate kicked off on the night of Sunday, January 17 with the We Are the People concert.
The hour-long event was co-hosted by Keegan-Michael Key and Debra Messing and featured a star line-up, including Fall Out Boy, Carole King, Will.i.am, Sophia Bush, Michael Bivins and Jaime Camil, who gave a range of speeches and performances via video link.
One of the most rousing addresses on the night was given by Believe singer Cher.
“I’m so happy. I can’t tell you how happy I am,” the vocal Biden supporter said, describing him as “the right man, for the right job, at the right time”.
“I’m so thrilled,” she said. “I know you’re going to take the country in an amazing direction, and I know that you love everybody, because that’s who you are.
“I know you’re tough. Everyone else knows you’re compassionate, but I know you’re tough. And I know that you’re the man. You’re the man.”
The singer then performed her 2013 release, I Hope You Find It.
Barbra Streisand on a 'deeply divided' nation
Also on the bill was songstress Streisand.
As she introduced footage of herself singing Happy Days Are Here Again, she said: "The last four years have left our nation deeply divided, with too many people ignoring facts, science and laws that uphold our democratic institutions.
“You both have the empathy we need now more than ever, and together we will emerge from these dark days into the light.”
Other performers included Ben Harper, who sang With My Own Two Hands; pop trio AJR, who performed Bummerland; Fall Out Boy, who played Centuries; and Will.i.am, who played American Dream. Veteran talent on the bill included Carole King, who performed You've Got A Friend, and James Taylor, who played America the Beautiful.
Josh Groban plays at 'indoguration'
Major Biden, the first rescue dog to take residence at the White House, got a celebration of his own, dubbed his "indoguration".
Organised by the Delaware Humane Association, the indoguration was a virtual celebration, with more than 10,000 guests, that raised more than $100,000.
American singer Josh Groban performed his own take of Patti Page's (How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?, changing the lyrics to the shelter-friendly, "I'm adopting that doggy in the window / The one with the waggly tail".
Watch the full indoguration here – Groban comes in around the 15-minute mark:
Major, a German shepherd, was adopted by the Bidens in March 2018, but he won't be the only four-legged friend to enter the White House on Wednesday, January 20.
The rescue pup will be joined by Champ, a 12-year-old German shepherd, who the family bought after Barack Obama won the presidential race in 2008, when Biden served as vice president.
For the past four years, under the Trump administration, there have been no animals living at the White House, the longest period without presidential pets in more than 100 years.
