CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — More than 75,000 music fans filled Bank of America Stadium on Saturday night for a great time and a great cause, raising more than $24.5 million for victims of Hurricane Helene.
11-year-old Presleigh Clark was among those eager to get to their seat to see North Carolina natives Luke Combs, Eric Church, The Avett Brothers and others perform in a benefit concert.
It’s been nearly one month since the storm ripped through the area. Governor Roy Cooper says officials estimate $53 billion in damage. All proceeds of the event are going to those in need in western North Carolina. “I just want to help them get back to what they used to be,” 11-year-old Ethan Richardson said.
Combs and others announced the event in early October. Some people Queen City News talked to used two computers to wait in line on Ticketmaster for tickets. They had more than 38,000 people in front of them but were determined to hear their favorite artists and give back at the same time.
Due to high demand, organizers made a livestream option available for fans worldwide to see the show. “I think it’s awesome… bringing together the country, the state, counties… standing out for a good cause,” concertgoer Connor Palmer said.
Fans found their seats quickly. The concert started later than expected due to a brief thunderstorm, but that didn’t stop fans from having a good time and sticking together. “We’re going to show up for each other and we are going to do whatever we can to build back better,” Mitzi Nuckols said.
