Bernie Sanders and AOC Introduce The Strokes at Queens Homecoming Show

The Strokes turned their latest New York homecoming into a meeting of rock and politics when Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez appeared to introduce the band in Queens on Friday night.

The one-off concert took place at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, with Beach House, TV On The Radio and Fcukers also on the bill. Ocasio-Cortez welcomed the hometown group before handing the microphone to Sanders, who praised the musicians’ record of supporting economic and social causes.

A surprise introduction with an electoral message

Sanders used the brief appearance to highlight economic justice, opposition to racism and access to health care. He also urged the crowd to vote in November and framed political participation as part of resisting authoritarianism.

Ocasio-Cortez called New York the greatest city in the world and The Strokes the greatest rock band of their generation. The introductions quickly circulated online, but the pairing was not entirely unexpected given the band’s previous political activity.

The Strokes and Sanders have shared stages before

The Strokes headlined a get-out-the-vote rally for Sanders during his 2020 presidential campaign in Durham, New Hampshire. Frontman Julian Casablancas publicly supported the senator at the time, describing him as a trustworthy New Yorker willing to challenge corporate influence. Ocasio-Cortez also participated in that rally.

The Queens show arrived during a busy year for the band. The Strokes released Reality Awaits in July after previously postponing the album, and they are scheduled to take the supporting tour to the United Kingdom later this month. The itinerary includes two nights at London’s O2 and forms part of their first full U.K. tour in two decades.

For the New York audience, however, the hometown setting gave the political cameo particular resonance. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez did not join the performance itself; their role was to set the stage, connect the show to the approaching election and hand the night back to the band.