Mary J. Blige, Paul Simon, Hozier, Jon Batiste, Elvis Costello to Headline Love Rocks NYC 10th Anniversary Benefit

The Beacon Theatre in New York is set for a milestone evening on Thursday, March 5, with the 10th annual Love Rocks NYC benefit concert. A stellar roster of performers will take the stage, headlined by music icons Mary J. Blige and Paul Simon, alongside Jon Batiste, Elvis Costello, and Hozier. The bill is further strengthened by Nile Rodgers & Chic, ZZ Top's Billy F Gibbons, the Goo Goo Dolls, Linda Perry, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, with organizers promising additional artists and surprise guests. The Beacon Theatre, a historic Art Deco venue that first opened in 1929, provides a fittingly grand backdrop for this anniversary celebration.

Curating the night's musical flow will be house band leader and musical director Will Lee, whose bass playing anchored the *Late Show with David Letterman* for 33 years. The event's unique character, which seamlessly blends music and comedy, will be on full display with scheduled appearances by comedian JB Smoove, roastmaster Jeff Ross, and actress-comedian Whoopi Goldberg. They will be joined by musician Paul Shaffer and actress Julianne Moore. This eclectic mix has been a hallmark of the concert since its founding in 2017 by executive producers Greg Williamson and Nicole Rechter, along with fashion designer John Varvatos.

Every dollar raised will support the vital work of God’s Love We Deliver, a New York not-for-profit. The organization was established in 1985 specifically to provide meals for homebound people living with AIDS, a direct response to the devastating crisis of that era. It has since expanded its mission dramatically, having now delivered more than 40 million medically tailored meals to individuals with severe illnesses. In the last year alone, its team and a force of 20,000 volunteers prepared and delivered 4 million meals to 15,000 clients across New York City. "This 10th anniversary is a testament to the incredible community that has rallied around our mission," said Terrence Meck, the charity's President and CEO. "Love Rocks NYC is more than a concert; it's a powerful engine for change, generating both crucial awareness and the funds that allow us to serve our neighbors in need."

Tickets will first be available via a pre-sale on Wednesday, February 11, at 10 a.m. ET, with the general public sale beginning on Friday, February 13. Reflecting on a decade of growth, executive producer Greg Williamson, a native New Yorker, stated, "Building this platform has been an honor. It shows how art and compassion can unite a city." The financial impact is profound: the concert series has cumulatively raised $65 million, which translates directly into an estimated 6.5 million meals for the charity's clients. This consistent success demonstrates how a well-curated cultural event can drive sustained philanthropic support.

Major sponsors for the anniversary include Bloomberg Philanthropies, the RJKB Family Charitable Foundation, and the Secunda Family Foundation, with additional support from partners like EY and iHeartMedia. This broad backing highlights the event's deep integration into New York's civic and corporate fabric. Over the years, Love Rocks NYC has welcomed legendary performers like Cher, Dave Grohl, and Alicia Keys, cementing its status as a premier benefit concert. By leveraging star power for tangible community impact, it has carved out a distinct and essential legacy, proving that philanthropy and top-tier entertainment can powerfully coexist.