In the summer of 1986, a short run of concerts reshaped the way music, activism, and mass media could intersect. The Conspiracy of Hope tour was not simply a benefit series — it was a statement, a nationwide broadcast, and a rallying cry for human rights, created in celebration of Amnesty International’s 25th anniversary. Over six massive shows in June of that year, some of the world’s most influential artists gathered not to promote albums or tours, but to use their voices for something larger.

Tonight, that history returns to the airwaves as Live Nuggets Radio presents a very special handpicked full-concert broadcast, airing in its entirety every Tuesday night at 9PM EST — spotlighting one of the most powerful live moments of the entire Conspiracy of Hope run.

A Tour Built on Awareness, Not Headlines

Unlike many benefit events before it, the Conspiracy of Hope tour was designed with a singular mission: education and awareness. Organized around Amnesty International’s global human rights campaign, the concerts were staged to introduce tens of thousands of fans to real-world stories of political prisoners, censorship, and civil liberties abuses — and to encourage action beyond the concert gates.

The core lineup was a cross-section of the era’s most respected voices: U2, Sting, Bryan Adams, Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed, Joan Baez, and the Neville Brothers formed the backbone of the tour, while a rotating cast of guest artists appeared throughout the six-city run. In the early shows, Sting even performed solo sets, reinforcing the deeply personal nature of the message behind the music.

The Police Reunite — Briefly, and Historically

What ultimately elevated the Conspiracy of Hope concerts into rock history was the unexpected reunion of The Police. Having been on hiatus since 1984, the trio reunited for the final three dates of the tour, marking their last live performances together before their eventual 2007 reunion — and adding a layer of once-in-a-generation significance to each appearance.

Their three performances took place on:

• June 11 at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta

• June 13 at the Rosemont Horizon in Illinois

• June 15 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey

Each show was charged with emotion, nostalgia, and the unmistakable sense that audiences were witnessing the closing chapter of a legendary band — at least for the foreseeable future.

Giants Stadium: An 11-Hour Cultural Event

The tour’s finale at Giants Stadium on June 15, 1986 became the defining moment of Conspiracy of Hope. Stretching across eleven hours, the all-day event was broadcast nationally on MTV and radio, turning it into a shared cultural experience across the United States.

When The Police took the stage, the energy shifted instantly. Their six-song set functioned as both climax and catharsis, drawing together the themes of the day through a mix of personal introspection and social urgency:

• “Message in a Bottle”

• “King of Pain”

• “Driven to Tears”

• “Every Breath You Take”

• “Roxanne”

• “Invisible Sun,” joined by Bono of U2

The collaboration with Bono on “Invisible Sun” symbolized the unifying spirit of the tour — generations and genres converging around a shared message of awareness and hope.

As the night closed, the entire lineup — including Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis, Peter Gabriel, and many others — gathered for a communal rendition of Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released,” transforming the stadium into something closer to a mass vigil than a traditional concert finale.

Lasting Impact

The Conspiracy of Hope tour succeeded not just in drawing crowds, but in creating measurable change. Across its six dates, the series raised more than $4 million and brought 45,000 new members into Amnesty International. More importantly, it introduced human rights advocacy to millions of viewers who may never have encountered the organization otherwise.

Relive a Defining Moment

Tonight’s Live Nuggets Radio broadcast brings this historic chapter back into the present, airing the concert in its entirety every Tuesday night at 9PM EST. It is a chance to revisit a moment when rock music carried more than sound — it carried purpose — and when a reunited band, a global movement, and a generation of fans came together to prove that concerts can change more than just the mood of a room.