Smashing Pumpkins, Chris Stapleton to headline America250

President Donald Trump’s Freedom250 multi-week concert series, set to begin later this month, has experienced a lot of turnover after most of its initially billed artists dropped off the lineup, including Bret Michaels and Young MC, due to intense backlash. While the concert, dubbed by Trump as the “Rally to end all Rallies,” is now set to happen on June 24, another celebration of the country’s semiquincentennial will be taking place this summer. America250, a program established a decade ago by Congress, plans to host its “America’s Block Party” concert on July 4 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Queen Latifah will host, while Smashing Pumpkins and Chris Stapleton—considerable improvements from Trump’s featured Freedom250 performer, Lee Greenwood—are scheduled to perform. 

The America250 event will promote Giving 4th, the organization’s charitable arm, and proceeds will be donated to Feeding America. Tickets cost $17.76, and more performers are to be announced. Rosie Rios, a top Treasury official in the Obama administration and current America250 chair, shared in a statement with The New York Times, “As we celebrate our 250th anniversary, we have an opportunity to bring Americans together around the values that continue to unite us.” America250 has also announced other “block party” events across the country, in Charleston, Fort Campbell, New York, and Milwaukee. A free concert in Philadelphia, titled “One Philly: Unity Concert for America,” will feature appearances by Will Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jill Scott, The Roots, Christina Aguilera, Wanda Sykes, and Seal. 

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