The New York band performed before roughly 40,000 fans at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens on Friday, with a lineup that included Beach House, TV on the Radio, and Fcukers — plus political special guests.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) opened the event by praising the Strokes as “the greatest rock band of our generation,” declaring: “as we fight fascism and genocide, raise wages, and guarantee health care to everyone.” She introduced Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders next, who joked he came to “sing a few songs” before thanking the band for “standing up for economic justice” and “fighting racism.” Sanders closed by urging attendees to vote in November and “stand up to authoritarianism.”
AOC escorted Sanders to the microphone, the two raising their arms together as crowds roared. The concert featured a live edition of Julian Casablancas’ podcast, “S.O.S. Earth Is a Mess,” focused on climate change.
The event was not the first political appearance for attendees: Mike Myers, who posted photos wearing a black T-shirt reading “FIGHT FASCISM,” previously endorsed Canada’s Liberal Party leader Mark Carney and popularized the rallying cry “Elbows Up” during U.S.-Canada tensions with President Donald Trump.
