Immortal Moment: When Sarah McLachlan and Josh Groban Turn “Angel” Into a Prayer for Humanity at Live 8
On July 2, 2005, the eyes of the world were focused on Live 8 — a global charity concert series where music legends raised their voices for a single goal: to end poverty in Africa. In Philadelphia, on a hot summer day, the atmosphere seemed to quiet down as Sarah McLachlan stepped onto the stage, her eyes peaceful but filled with sadness. And then, the first chords of “Angel” sounded.

It was already a song associated with loss, hope and lonely nights for millions of people. But that day, the audience also witnessed something unexpected: Josh Groban — a young man with a tenor voice that echoed across Europe — appeared, standing next to McLachlan. His voice blended with the clear voice of the Canadian singer, like two rivers meeting, sweeping the audience into a sea of emotions that were difficult to describe in words.
Tens of thousands of people stood still, without a sound, only their hearts beating with the music. On the big screen, images of famine and skinny children in Africa appeared, turning the song into not just a song, but a common prayer for humanity. When Sarah sang the lyrics “You’re in the arms of the angel”, many audiences leaned their heads on each other’s shoulders, crying silently.
The strange thing is that the performance did not need fireworks, did not need flashy stage effects. There were only two people, a piano, and a message: music can heal wounds, can erase borders, can turn a noisy square into a sanctuary of faith.

Twenty years have passed, but when mentioning Live 8, the public does not only remember U2, Pink Floyd or Madonna. People still remember a simple but immortal moment: when Sarah McLachlan and Josh Groban sang “Angel”, and the whole world suddenly fell silent to listen. It was not just music – it was history, a witness to the power of kindness.