Love Rocks NYC pulled out all the stops for its tenth annual benefit concert for God’s Love We Deliver at the iconic Beacon Theatre last night (March 5).

Led by a positively all-star lineup including Hozier, Mary J. Blige, Jon Batiste, Elvis Costello, Paul Simon, Goo Goo Dolls, Linda Perry and Nile Rodgers & Chic, the four-hour concert celebrated the outstanding work of the New York-based non-profit, which has served over 40 million meals since it was founded during the AIDS pandemic in 1985.

Jon Batiste and Bill Murray kicked off the night by leading Preservation Hall Jazz Band down the aisles of the Beacon Theatre, channeling traditional New Orleans second lines for a crowd-pleasing performance of “Iko Iko.” Trombone Shorty and Ivan Neville soon joined the two stars for “Hey Pocky Way,” which bled into a warm welcome from Moore. Thursday night’s show was heavy on classic pop and rock — from Linda Perry’s eternal “What’s Up” and Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris” to Elvis Costello’s iconic “Pump It Up” and “Peace, Love and Understanding.” With each performer delivering memorable renditions of era-defining smashes, the Beacon Theatre audience could never remain seated for too long.

Though bonafide music legends dominated the tenth annual Love Rocks concert lineup, younger stars like Grammy-nominated rocker Hozier absolutely held their own. The Irish singer-songwriter graced the stage multiple times, casting a spell over the theater with his earthy, resonant voice. Those who survived the full show were treated to an incomparable closing triumvirate of foundational music superstars — and all three happened to be New York heroes.

The legendary Paul Simon captivated the crowd with heartfelt renditions of “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” and “The Boxer”; Mary J. Blige revived her U2 collaboration, “One,” for a soulful performance and Nile Rodgers brought the house down alongside Chic, delivering classics like “We Are Family” and “Good Times.” And to formally send off the enthralled crowd into the pouring NYC rain, everyone joined the stage for a finale performance of Joe Cocker’s rendition of “With a Little Help From My Friends,” cementing unity as the night’s grounding theme.

Since launching in 2017, the annual Love Rocks benefit concerts have raised over $65 million to date, which has funded over 6.5 million meals for New Yorkers impacted by various illnesses. This year’s staging also included appearances by Emmy winner J.B. Smoove, Oscar winner Julianne Moore, stand-up comedian Jeff Ross, former Late Night with David Letterman music director Paul Shaffer, Indian-American comedian Zarna Garg and EGOT winner Whoopi Goldberg.

From music icons to exciting new blood, here are some of the best moments of the tenth annual Love Rocks benefit concert.

Mary J. Blige Flips the Beacon Into a Dancery

Fresh off the release of her new Be Happy Lifetime movie and “More Than a Lover” single and music video, Mary J. Blige returned to her hometown of New York City for a two-song set at Love Rocks on Thursday night.

Kicking things off with “One,” her 2006 Grammy-nominated U2 collaboration, Blige delivered a particularly passionate vocal performance, emphasizing every lyric of the unity-inspiring song. She was clearly in the mood to “have some fun,” because soon after, she launched into her classic Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit, “Family Affair,” turning the theatre into an all-out dancery just before the show’s finale.

Whoopi Goldberg Shoots Her Shot at Hozier

Several comedians and actors served as presenters throughout the night — including Jeff Ross, J.B. Smoove and Zarna Garg — but none were as magnetic as Whoopi Goldberg. Easily the most skilled host when it came to vamping, Goldberg loved sneaking in personal tidbits while introducing different acts. After fondly recalling Paul Simon’s support early in her career, Goldberg gave a rousing introduction to “the Queen of R&B and Hip-Hop/Soul” Mary J. Blige ahead of her two-song set.

Goldberg’s funniest quip, however, came when Hozier walked onstage ahead of “The Weight.” “Hey Ho,” she said in a sing-songy voice. “Just me flirting with you!”

Kid Guitarist Bay Melnick Virgolino Brings Down the House

After making it to the America’s Got Talent season 20 semifinals last year, 11-year-old guitar virtuoso Bay Melnick Virgolino blew the roof off of the Beacon Theatre on Thursday night. ZZ Top founding member Billy F. Gibbons and Grammy-nominated blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa invited Virgolino onstage, joking that they wanted to give him a chance to play the Beacon “before he got too old for show business.”

Tearing through B.B. King’s classic “The Thrill Is Gone,” Virgolino treated the crowd to loads of his irresistible showmanship and charisma, even stepping in front of the floor speakers to get closer to the fired-up audience. If the young guitar god proved anything, it’s that rock ‘n’ roll is still very much alive.

Nile Rodgers & Hozier Join Forces

From “Take Me to Church” to “Too Sweet,” Hozier is good for a soaring pop-rock anthem, which is what made his funky Nile Rodgers team-up such a pleasant surprise. With Rodgers on bass, the two artists duetted on “Feelin’ Alright,” which was written by Traffic’s Dave Mason in 1968 and made popular by Joe Cocker the following year. Having already treated the Beacon Theatre to a performance of “Church” — in addition to his appearance alongside Staples, Costello and Gibbons for “The Weight” — Hozier’s final performance of the night allowed him to show off some verve and character, and the crowd ate up every second.

Paul Simon’s Stunning Three-Song Set

The legendary Paul Simon lives just a 10-minute walk away from the Beacon Theater, which gave his set a casual intimacy that brought the audience closer together. Introduced by Goldberg, who said Simon helped her start her career on the right track, the Newark native delivered tender renditions of enduring hits like “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” “Still Crazy After All These Years” and “The Boxer.”

With his voice still as earnest as ever, Simon’s classics inspired instantaneous sing-alongs from the Beacon Theatre audience, many of whom paused their relatively early exits to bear witness to the icon.

Jon Batiste Brings the Beacon to Church

Sure, Jon Batiste helped open the show, but his most memorable moments came several hours into the benefit concert. Introduced by comedian J.B. Smoove, Batiste wordlessly sauntered onstage and sat behind the grand piano, centering himself before launching into a stirring rendition of “A Change Is Gonna Come.” Draped in a bluesy arrangement that traded on Southern gospel melodies, Batiste brought the house down with Sam Cooke’s classic, channeling every bit of the fraught tension that characterizes our world today. Naturally, the entire theater was on its feet by the song’s end, making for the night’s most powerful performance.

Mavis Staples Makes Surprise Appearance

Mavis Staples, the last surviving member of the legendary Staple Singers, has an eternal voice — one that will always captivate every conscious being in whatever room she walks into.

Introduced by Goldberg, Staples joined previously announced performers Warren Haynes, Elvis Costello and Hozier for a soulful rendition of “The Weight,” The Band’s timeless 1968 hit. With Staples’ raspy, guttural voice soaring through the rafters, she quickly became the centerpiece of a performance that featured four outstanding talents. Seeing Haynes, Costello and Hozier consciously cede space to Staples to let her ad-lib and belt to her heart’s desire reminded the crowd of the kind of deference that feels more fleeting than ever. To top it off, Hozier literally dropped to his knees to bow down to Staples, an admirable nod to her towering legacy of blending music and politics, which still informs pop music today.