Stray Kids and Musicians on Call celebrated the healing power of music on Monday by lighting the Empire State Building to spread awareness of the hope and joy it brings.
Global superstars Stray Kids are living proof of the power of music to transcend language barriers and provide a sense of comfort for fans. As music has served as a beacon of hope for themselves and their fans, affectionately known as STAY, Stray Kids wanted to give back by teaming up with Musicians on Call in support of the healing power of music.
“I’m pleased to welcome you here today as we celebrate the healing power of music, in partnership with Musicians on Call and Stray Kids. Stray Kids and Musicians on Call are on a joint mission to spread love through music and bring global awareness to their important work as they provide live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, family members, caregivers, and healthcare facilities around the country today. As they light the world’s most famous building in Burgundy, we are reminded of their united mission to bring the world together through the power of music,” Susanne Lieu, Senior Vice President, Chief Counsel, Real Estate, for Empire State Realty Trust.
As all eight members of the beloved K-pop group approached the podium, Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N., a series of hushed murmurs of excitement overtook the group of fans as they watched the historic lighting. With bright smiles, the young men waved, humbled by the starstruck attention.
“Musicians on Call brings music to hospitals. We play for patients, for caregivers, for their family members, all over the place, and we started here in New York. In the 26 years we’ve been around, we’ve played for over 1.2 million people in hospitals. So, it’s been an incredible impact. But none of that would be possible if it weren’t for incredible artists like Stray Kids who donate their platform and their time to help organizations like ours,” Pete Griffin, President and CEO of Musicians on Call.
Bang Chan, the group’s leader, approached the podium, smiling brightly as he greeted the crowd. While acknowledging the momentous occasion for Stray Kids, he also added that music has been their source of strength and that he strives to pour the very same love from fans’ support into their music.
“I’d like to thank the Empire State Building and Musicians on Call for this really great big chance. It’s a really big honor. And because music is definitely a universal language, and for our music to be out there giving strength to people who are in need. That’s all that matters to us,” Bang Chan said.
With a roar of cheers, Stray Kids gathered around the iconic light switch and lit the Empire State Building in a beautiful shade of burgundy as Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York,” played.
After the lighting ceremony, Stray Kids trekked to the top of the world’s most famous tourist attraction, where, despite the opaque fog, they proudly looked at the city skyline. Their motto, “Stray Kids everywhere all around the world,” aptly describes their impact and global reach, where their music transcends language barriers and embraces diversity.
In addition to celebrating the power of music, Stray Kids is also in the middle of their North American tour, where they will be performing at Citi Field on June 18 and June 19.
