Should Bernie Sanders Headline Lollapalooza?

As millions of fans await Clairo’s performance at Coachella, Bernie Sanders takes the stage instead. In his short speech, he reminds the audience of the dire need for the citizens of the United States to take a stand against the new administration. 

Although many were all for Sanders’ appearance, some critics found it divisive.  This year, Coachella attracted a range of people, whether it was the emerging “angels” of Charli XCX, or the Coachella regulars who revisited their rockstar persona during the nostalgic performances of Lady Gaga and Green Day. The audience of popular music festivals like Coachella or Lollapalooza consist of listeners with widely ranging ages, music tastes, and even political views. These events set the perfect stage for a political figure to raise awareness of the current issues of our government. However, music – and especially festivals – are one of the biggest uniting aspects of our culture., Even the different genres that separate listeners (punk, indie, country) rarely cause real clashes or controversial debates over human rights. It can seem nearly impossible to find a common ground that brings all of us together in harmony, but music does just that. Critics of Clairo’s decision to bring out Sanders argued that bringing politics into this would shatter the peaceful unity that so many people seek in our current political state. 

So that brings the question, “Should Bernie Sanders also headline Lollapalooza?” 

Clearly, raising the country’s awareness of political issues is a necessity. As a democratic country, a good portion of the political structure is in our hands. So, whether it is watching world news, reading the newspaper, or keeping up with gossip headlines through Instagram Reels, we all need some kind of source to retrieve ongoing events. Whether you are a Republican, Democrat, retired and traveling the world, or even a toddler who just began their first steps, we are all negatively affected by the ever-changing affairs of our state. Staying informed is no longer optional. Some of us have had the privilege of tuning out American politics in the past, but that privilege was never equally shared – and today, none of us can afford to remain uninformed.

The term “have you been living under a rock?” is nearly irrelevant today, because whether stories cover election results or Trump’s new tariffs and acts, the news is everywhere. It is on TikTok, popping up as ads on your favorite illegal movie site, and even covering posters on the wooden pole you always pass on the way to class. It is an inescapable – not to mention terrifying and extremely stressful – truth. “Political overload” is a term used to describe those who have been overwhelmed by the political climate that has emerged in recent years. Many health experts have suggested taking a break from the media, going outside and trying your best to find hope somewhere for our future. Although it is hard to succeed in finding that “hope,” many have taken a break by deleting social media, isolating themselves from the outside world, or turning to their favorite non-political hobby. For many, this is music. Music often does have elements of political symbolism, but it is generally disguised with metaphors and instrumentals. It can be so hidden that it’s easy to close your eyes, follow the melody, and put a blanket over the true meaning. This is what makes music such a creative outlet, and why it can feel abstract from the real world. An artist can do anything, and they are the only people who truly know what they intend. The interpretation is up to the listener. Songs can enhance real life, but they can also be an escape from the truth.

This is exactly why many artists choose to stay silent. Some speak out, like Chappell Roan or Olivia Rodrigo, but no one can speak on every issue. Taylor Swift is known for being vocal about feminism, women’s rights, and her vote for Kamala Harris. Charli XCX is a well-known ally and advocate for LGTBQ+ rights. But both stayed silent about the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Most artists with a wide range of listeners do not refute or support every major conflict that arises. It is a controversial topic – it seems morally right for anyone with such a big following to use the opportunity they have to raise awareness. But also, others argue, why should they have to? These people are musicians, not politicians or news reporters. Fans of these celebrities are not fans because they hoped to be informed about politics. They simply enjoy their music.

Another reason that artists tend to ignore political controversies is because they are afraid of losing fans. Especially today, where the divide between political parties is so strong, an artist choosing one side can lead to losing fans from the other. Many look down on the choice to stay silent, because when millions of people’s lives and human rights are at stake, losing or gaining fans in the music world should not matter. The opportunity to potentially save and restore humanity should override fame and admiration. Again, not being involved in politics is a privilege. If any conflict directly affected an artists’ way of living – like the LA wildfires, for example –, they would surely speak upon it. So why will they not speak upon issues that directly affect millions of people and  might even include their fans?

Ultimately, these questions all share an underlying theme with the debate over Bernie Sanders’ appearance at Coachella. The purpose of music festivals is to entertain and provide a break from the outside world. Its attendees paid money to enjoy their favorite songs or watch their favorite artists, not to listen to a political figure who was not even on the setlist. However, the opportunity and impact of Bernie Sanders’ appearance must be acknowledged. We cannot ignore the unprecedented actions of the new administration or conflicts in other countries that are taking the lives of millions. We cannot afford to pretend that everything is okay. We must know what is happening and what we can do, because each of our individual movements can cause a stir, even if we are one of 340 million people. One single voice can reach millions of people and Bernie Sanders is an example of one. So, should we welcome Bernie Sanders at the next big festival? What do you think, Lollapalooza?