At a time when large parts of the world are under a lockdown, with millions of people at home, I thought the idea of this concert was fantastic. While most music events and tours around the world have been called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, what better way to cheer up the millions who are stuck at home than to bring some of the best musicians together to sing with a message of unity, hope and solidarity.

The Global Citizen's "Together At Home" event was, according to its website, "a campaign rallying funds for the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization." It was broadcast on CBS, NBC, ABC and also streamed online during prime time. Late-night talk show hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Stephen Colbert joined in from different locations to co-host the event. 

The special event was organized by Lady Gaga, who kicked off the show with a heartfelt performance of Nat King Cole's "Smile" on a piano. Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli, John Legend, Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes were among several artists featured in the special event. Their pre-recorded performances were set in their homes, making it even more interesting for the audience, eager to observe the private homes of their favorite celebrities. Other big names like Beyonce, Oprah Winfrey, David and Victoria Beckham participated with their video messages. 

This event was unique in so many ways: Possibly for the first time, a virtual event had united people from all around the world for an issue that had impacted them all globally. The songs chosen for the "concert" were all slow in pace and somewhat solemn in tone. Most of them pinned on the message of hope. Even artists we know for their upbeat pop songs came through in their rare emotional tunes.

In between musical performances and video messages, we also saw video clips of people on the frontlines of this pandemic. We got to listen to some video messages from several healthcare workers not just in the United States, but one in Ecuador, another in South Korea, among others. We really got the sense that "we're all in this together, as a whole world."

As a journalist, I've been trying to shed more light on the stories of essential workers who continue to do their job throughout this pandemic. And I'd say this event has done a good job of producing powerful stories about these unsung heroes to bring public awareness about how they're putting their lives at risk so that we'd continue to get our most essential needs. 

I assume that, anyone who watched the event on Saturday night, certainly walked away from it with a much better insight into the frontline battle against COVID-19 and with far more appreciation for those who are making personal sacrifices. The event also promoted a certain level of activism, calling on all citizens to take a pledge for further action. They were also asked to make a donation to the World Health Organization's response fund through text messages.

As successful as it was in terms of keeping citizens at home, raising awareness and funds, while keeping them engaged with their favorite celebrities, the event was criticized by some for failing to do enough to raise the morale. I'm not sure whether that was one of the objectives to start with. And clearly, it was deliberately designed to respect the lives that are lost and the pain that's being felt by many.  

But for those, who were hoping for a fun-filled distraction, it may have been slightly disappointing. But to the event's credit, TV show hosts made sure to include a certain level of humor. I personally thought, the "Safety Dance" performed by Jimmy Fallon and the Roots, was one of the gigs that enabled us to smile a little. 

Staying at home was the central message in all this. Some people having been doing that for nearly a month already with hardly any social activity or human touch. Albeit through our screens, any effort that connects them with their favorite artists, especially in the spirit of hope and solidarity, feels welcome.