Keith Urban Offers Powerful Tribute to Orlando Victims With U2’s ‘One’ [Watch]
Keith Urban returned to the road on Friday night (June 17) after a break from his Ripcord Tour, and he took the opportunity to pay tribute to the victims of the Orlando mass shooting with an emotional cover of U2's "One."
Urban and his band performed to a capacity crowd at Tampa’s MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Florida, and toward the end of the more than two-hour concert, the country superstar paused the non-stop action to address his audience very seriously about the shootings, which took the lives of 49 people and injured 53 more.
“Although I didn’t know anybody in that horrific incident, I did, because they’re just guys and girls, brothers and sisters,” he says in the clip above. “They had dreams, hopes, plans, just like every one of us. So I know 'em like I know you guys."
He performed a very powerful solo version of the song, accompanying himself on guitar as he delivered the heartfelt lyrics: "Too late tonight / To drag the past out into the light / We're one, but we're not the same / We get to carry each other / Carry each other ... I believe in one love."
"God bless you, Orlando," Urban said at the end, putting his fist in the air as he exclaimed, "Orlando strong!"
Several country artists turned to social media to post their thoughts on the Orlando attack, and more have paid tribute to the victims. Luke Bryan asked for a moment of silence during his show at CMA Fest, and Little Big Town recently dedicated their song “Miracle” to the victims and their loved ones.
A number of country stars will come together on June 21 in Florida for a benefit concert to raise money for the OneOrlando Fund, which Mayor Buddy Dyer created to help address the needs of the people and communities impacted by the shooting. The bill includes Tyler Farr, Maddie & Tae, Cole Swindell and more.
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