Watch Neil Young, Joan Baez, Jeff Rosenstock & more play Bernie Sanders & AOC’s LA ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ rally

Bernie Sanders‘ ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour hit Los Angeles on Saturday where he and regular tourmate, Democratic representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, spoke to an estimated 36,000 people at Gloria Molina Grand Park. Most of these rallies have had musical guests, but LA’s even had the highest profile ones yet: Neil Young and Joan Baez, along with Maggie Rogers, Indigo de Souza, The Dirty Projectors‘ David Longstreth, Jeff Rosenstock, and The Red Pears.

Neil Young was live and electric and led the crowd in a chant of “Take America back!” and played “Rainbow of Colors” and “Rockin’ in the Free World” with help from Joan and Maggie.

Joan performed traditional song “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around” a cappella before playing Phil Ochs’ “There but for Fortune” with guitarist Greg Leisz, and then brought out Maggie Rogers for “America the Beautiful” and Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.”

Maggie, who said “Welcome to Berniechella” to the crowd, did three songs on her own, “Different Kind of World,” “Light On,” and “Alaska.”

Before the event, Jeff Rosenstock wrote, “It has been easy to feel powerless and alone since the election and seeing the massive crowds of people who are also tired of this bullshit attending these events (cornball alert) has filled my heart with hope. I woulda been here anyway so like I said in CAPS LOCK above I am beyond honored to be a part of this playing some songs. SHOW UP EARLY AND WATCH ME TRY MY BEST LOL.” Jeff played “FUTURE IS DUMB,” “Scram!,” “9/10,” and “HEAD” and also managed to get a picture with Bernie, which you can see below.

As for Saturday’s headliner, Bernie said, “We’re living in a moment where a handful of billionaires control the economic and political life. … We’re living in a moment where the president has no understanding or respect for the constitution of the United States, and let us make no doubt about it, moving us rapidly toward an authoritarian form of society,” and then added, “And, Mr. Trump, we ain’t going down” which got a roar from the crowd.

Bernie also made his way from Berniechella to actual Coachella on Saturday night, introducing Clairo’s set. “I’m here to introduce Clairo not just because they are a great band,” Sanders told the festival crowd. “I’m here because Clairo has used her prominence to fight for women’s rights, to try to end the terrible, brutal war in Gaza, where thousands of women and children are being killed.”

Watch videos from “Berniechella” and Bernie at Coachella below.

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