Photos and review by ALYSON CAMUS
LOS ANGELES – “Welcome to Bernie-Chella!” Maggie Rogers told us before her set during the rally organized by Senator Bernie Sanders and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez in front of the City Hall, at Gloria Molina Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles.
They estimated the crowd at 36,000 people when Bernie Sanders took the stage around 2 PM, but Maggie was right: the event, which started around 9:30 AM was half political rally, half Woodstock, as political speeches alternated with musical performances, headlined by folk rock icons Joan Baez and Neil Young.
“This “Fighting Oligarchy” tour stop organized by Sanders has one goal: to “have real discussions across America on how we move forward to take on the oligarchs and corporate interests who have so much power and influence in this country.” This wasn’t a presidential campaign — the next presidential elections are too far away — but rather an anti-Trump rally, fueling a common frustration with the current actions of the government. T-shirt and button vendors, along with food trucks, had populated the space, which soon turned out to be way too small for the large crowd. People arrived very early, and even though I was there before 8 AM, I couldn’t get a spot in the front row. Many people got stuck in the back and followed the event on large screens.
Between numerous political speeches from different union representatives, council members, and congressmen and women — including U.S. Representative Ro Khanna from California’s 17th Congressional District and U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal from Washington’s 7th Congressional District — indie bands provided the entertainment. The Raise Gospel Choir opened the music portion with inspiring gospel songs and an Aretha Franklin cover. Church music may have been the perfect start, since these events always seem to have a religious side… hope is all we have right now.
The Red Pears from El Monte, CA, continued with their indie punk rock, sometimes reminiscent of The Strokes. Then Jeff Rosenstock delivered a very energetic punk set, full of passion and furor, while Indigo DeSouza played a few of her melancholic tunes, accompanied by her beautiful voice, so reminiscent of Angel Olsen’s vocals. It may have been a bit too quiet for such a large crowd. David Longstreth of the Dirty Projectors followed with a few songs, including a reinvented “old Black Flag song” (“Rise Above”), while performers and speakers kept being interrupted by the crowd asking for medics, as many people were feeling unwell because of the hot sun.
’60s legend Joan Baez took the stage with an a cappella version of the freedom song “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round.” Then, accompanied by guitarist Greg Leisz, she performed a beautiful rendition of “There But For Fortune,” followed by the always emotional Lennon song “Imagine.” While Joan Baez’s voice may not reach those pure heights anymore, the moment was pure magic, and “imagine no possessions” resonated deeply with the crowd.
With an acoustic guitar and her warm, crystalline voice, Maggie Rogers performed “Different Kind of World,” “Light On,” and “Alaska.”
“There is nowhere else in the world I would rather be right now than right here. Days like today remind me that the people will always have the power, and I’m so inspired to stand with you today for a future that includes everybody!” Rogers told the crowd.
She then brought Joan Baez back for a duet on “America the Beautiful” and Dylan’s classic “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.”
“Thank you for the much more meaningful goal — although I loved it — than we had at Woodstock, thank you!” said Baez before leaving the stage.
After another political discourse, Neil Young followed with what seemed to be an improvised “Take America Back, Take America Back” intro song.
Young performed “Rainbow of Colors” over a distorted electric guitar and his signature harmonica. For “Rockin’ in the Free World,” Joan Baez and Maggie Rogers returned, delivering powerful “Power to the People” backup vocals.
The performance ended with full crowd participation, as everyone screamed “Take America Back” while making arm waves.
“Keep coming back, people,” said Young while introducing AOC.
While I would have enjoyed a few more songs, it was time for the stars of the day: AOC, followed by Bernie, with the same humanistic message he has consistently delivered for many decades. In these frustrating and uncertain times, people are still listening — more than ever — as this was Bernie Sanders’s largest rally ever.
AOC and Bernie Sanders’ “Fighting Oligarchy” tour will continue this month with events in Salt Lake City, UT, Nampa, ID; Bakersfield, CA; Folsom, CA, and Missoula, MT.
