Senator Bernie Sanders teamed up with artists from across the musical spectrum in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 12, 2025, drawing the largest crowd yet on his Fighting Oligarchy tour. Special guests included Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Neil Young, Maggie Rogers, Joan Baez, and more. The day started with a rally that galvanized 36,000 attendees at Gloria Molina Grand Park, a free event that began at 9:30 a.m.
The program featured grassroots leaders and musical performances by Dirty Projectors, Jeff Rosenstock, Indigo De Souza, The Red Pears, and Raise Gospel Choir. The evening culminated with a series of brief, cross-pollinating sets by Baez, Rogers, and Young. Baez opened with an a capella rendition of “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around,” incorporating ad-libbed lyrics against “hate and bigotry,” “white supremacy,” and “lousy billionaires.” She was later joined by guitarist Greg Leisz for “There but for Fortune” and John Lennon’s “Imagine.”
Maggie Rogers invited Baez back on stage for a duet of “America the Beautiful” and Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.” They both returned for Neil Young’s closing performance, joining him for “Rockin’ in the Free World.” Young, who began his set with “Rainbow of Colors,” a song from his 2019 album Colorado, led the crowd in chants of “Power to the people” and “Take America back.”
During his speech, Sanders addressed economic justice and the threat of rising oligarchy in America, criticizing billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg. He challenged former President Donald Trump to defend policies that cut Medicaid and nutrition programs, accusing him of prioritizing billionaires over working-class Americans. Sanders condemned both major political parties for bowing to corporate interests and called for reforms such as overturning Citizens United and implementing publicly funded elections.
“This country faces some very difficult challenges, and the future of what happens to America is dependent upon your generation,” Sanders told the crowd. “Now, you can turn away and you can ignore what goes on but if you do that, you do it at your own peril. We need you to stand up, to fight for justice. To fight for economic justice, social justice, and racial justice.”
After the rally, Sanders made a surprise appearance at Coachella, addressing over 100,000 attendees while introducing Clairo. His Fighting Oligarchy tour continues with stops in Salt Lake City (April 13), Nampa, ID (April 14), Bakersfield, CA (April 15), Folsom, CA (April 15), and Missoula, MT (April 16), featuring Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at each location.
Neil Young, Joan Baez, and Maggie Rogers shared the stage at the rally, delivering a powerful multi-generational performance. Young, who has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration, began his performance with “Rainbow of Colors” before transitioning to “Rockin’ in the Free World.” Baez and Rogers joined him mid-song, leading the audience in chants and creating an electric atmosphere.
Baez performed a five-song solo set earlier in the evening, featuring civil rights anthems and classics. Her selections included “Ain’t Nobody Gonna Turn Me ’Round,” Phil Ochs’ “There But for Fortune,” and John Lennon’s “Imagine.” The collaboration with Rogers for “America the Beautiful” and Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” highlighted the spirit of unity at the event.
Rogers also performed her own set, which included songs from her recent album Surrender. The rally marked a significant moment for Sanders, who emphasized the need for collective action against the current political climate. “We are going to make our revolution with joy,” he proclaimed, urging the crowd to engage in the fight against hatred and divisiveness.
As the rally concluded, Young expressed gratitude to the audience, encouraging them to continue their activism. “Thanks for being here. And thanks for being somewhere next weekend, and the weekend after that until we get this straight. Just keep coming back, people,” he stated.
The Fighting Oligarchy tour has already made stops in cities like Denver and Tempe, Arizona, and will continue to engage audiences across the nation. The collaboration between Sanders and prominent artists underscores the increasing intersection of politics and music, rallying support for progressive causes.
Neil Young, who has recently been critical of Trump’s policies, is set to embark on a world tour with his new band the Chrome Hearts, beginning in Europe this summer. He has expressed concerns about potential travel restrictions due to his outspoken criticism of the former president, highlighting the increasingly fraught relationship between artists and political figures.
The energy at the Los Angeles rally was palpable, with an estimated 36,000 supporters coming out to hear Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez speak. This turnout is notably larger than the average size of political rallies held by Trump supporters in 2024, which averaged around 5,600 attendees, according to Harvard University.
The event also showcased a diverse lineup of artists committed to social change, reinforcing the role of music in political movements. As the Fighting Oligarchy tour continues, it promises to inspire and mobilize a new generation of activists eager to challenge the status quo.
With such a strong showing in Los Angeles, the upcoming tour stops are anticipated to draw significant crowds, further amplifying the message of economic and social justice that Sanders and his allies are championing.
