Lucy Dacus and Chappell Roan Deliver Stirring Duet at ‘Artists for Aid’ Benefit
In a moment that captivated the audience at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium, singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus delighted fans by welcoming Chappell Roan to the stage for a surprise collaboration. The performance took place on Saturday, January 10, as part of the “Artists for Aid” concert, a humanitarian effort dedicated to supporting relief initiatives in Sudan and Palestine.
Midway through her set, Dacus revealed the spontaneous nature of the guest appearance. “A few days ago, a friend reached out via FaceTime and asked, ‘Can I come sing with you at the show?’” Dacus told the cheering crowd. “I’d like to invite my friend Chappell Roan to join me.”
The duo chose a poignant classic for the occasion: a cover of The Magnetic Fields’ indie-folk staple, “The Book of Love.” Taken from the 1999 masterpiece 69 Love Songs, the track—which also gained widespread recognition through a Peter Gabriel cover in 2010—served as a delicate, emotional centerpiece for the evening.
The event marked the third iteration of “Artists for Aid,” an initiative spearheaded by the activist and musician Mustafa. The Los Angeles lineup was remarkably high-profile, featuring sets from Shawn Mendes, Clairo, Faye Webster, Jazmine Sullivan, and Blood Orange. The evening also boasted appearances by Daniel Caesar, Omar Apollo, and 070 Shake, among others.
Hosted by actor Pedro Pascal and model Bella Hadid, the benefit aimed to generate vital funding for the Sudanese American Physicians Association and the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. This follows previous successful editions of the concert held in New Jersey and London.
Reflecting on the collaborative spirit of the night, Mustafa previously expressed his profound appreciation on social media, noting that the journey to organize such a large-scale humanitarian event was a complex but necessary endeavor. The night stood as a testament to the power of the creative community coming together for global advocacy.
Watch: You can view a fan-captured recording of Lucy Dacus and Chappell Roan performing “The Book of Love” here.
