Is a Concert Political If It Isn’t Political?
It seems that a rock concert in 2026 might not be considered a genuine rock concert if it doesn’t have a political edge. At least, that’s the vibe when the Strokes are involved.
Addressing the Issues
This New York band played to around 40,000 fans at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens on Friday, sharing the stage with acts like Beach House and TV on the Radio, along with some notably political special guests.
Among the crowd, a well-known figure made his presence felt. Mike Myers, famous for his role in “Austin Powers,” shared several snapshots from the concert on Instagram. He donned a black shirt with the bold message “FIGHT FASCISM,” topped with the iconic raised fist symbol used in leftist protests.
Myers didn’t hold back his enthusiasm, posting emojis that represented fire, and added hashtags like “#voteinnovember #fightfascism.”
This leftist spirit resonated not only with the attendees but also with some special guests. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) took to the stage ahead of the Strokes and praised the band, stating, “The greatest city in the world is now welcoming the greatest rock band of our generation. These guys have always believed in a brighter future for all of us,” she said. The crowd erupted in cheers when she asserted their collective efforts to “fight fascism and genocide, raise wages, and ensure health care for all.”
The excitement peaked when AOC introduced her next guest: Vermont’s independent Senator, Bernie Sanders.
Bernie’s Moment
Ocasio-Cortez guided Sanders to the mic, and they raised their arms together, drawing a massive cheer from the audience.
Sanders opened with a lighthearted quip about wanting to sing, quickly adding, “You really wouldn’t want to hear that.” He expressed gratitude to the Strokes for their advocacy for economic justice and their stance against racism, emphasizing that “health care is a human right.” He rounded off his speech by emphasizing the importance of voting and encouraging attendees to “stand against authoritarianism” come November.
The Strokes aren’t new to political endorsements. They supported Sanders during his 2020 campaign with frontman Julian Casablancas labeling him as America’s “only truly non-corporate candidate” and expressed their belief in his campaign’s objectives.
Friday’s event, as noted on the band’s website, was held in “one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in the world.” It also featured a live recording of Casablancas’ podcast, “S.O.S. Earth Is a Mess,” which focuses on climate change.
Myers and His Political Engagements
This isn’t Mike Myers’ first brush with politics. The Canadian actor had previously endorsed Liberal Party leader Mark Carney during Canada’s 2025 federal election and helped popularize the phrase “Elbows Up,” which Canadians adopted while countering President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and his comments about making Canada the 51st state.
Equally interesting is that Myers is also a U.S. citizen. In an earlier interview, he expressed his gratitude for this citizenship, calling it a privilege to live in America. It seems that holding dual citizenship allows him, and perhaps many others, to engage with the political issues of both countries.
