Pharrell Williams prepared for his live-streamed concert at Harlem's Apollo Theater in New York on Tuesday night (03Jun14) by holding a special ritual backstage.

Minutes before the Happy hitmaker kicked off the show, which was directed by Spike Lee, he gathered his dancers and singers and insisted they touch the venue's 'tree of life' - a fixed stump he insisted had been touched by all the great performers who had graced the stage.

He then thanked the dancers for being part of his journey.

Williams warmed up for the show, which was part of the American Express Unstaged series, by performing opening slots for Bruno Mars at the Hollywood Bowl over the weekend (31May-01Jun14).