Aaqib Majid
In a surprising turn of events that anyone anticipated, Senator Bernie Sanders, 83, took center stage at this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, demonstrating that age is truly only a number. Sanders, who is well-known for his impassioned speeches, progressive views, and unique Brooklyn accent, surprised everyone by performing a high-energy concert on the main stage on Saturday night, enthralling a multigenerational audience.
All afternoon, rumors were circulating through the desert. Rumors circulated around tents regarding a “special guest” who would make an appearance during the politically heated performance by Ecoterra, an indie-electronic duo. Uncertain of what—or who—they were about to see, thousands of people gathered at the main stage as the sun began to set and a desert breeze sliced through the day’s heat.
The crowd exploded when Sanders emerged wearing his trademark wrinkled khakis and jacket beneath a wash of neon lights. What started out as surprised bewilderment swiftly escalated into a full-blown craze. Telephones exploded into the air. The valley was filled with cheers. “Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!” was chanted by Gen Z children, millennials, Gen Xers, and even some boomers as they stood shoulder to shoulder.
The senator took the microphone with a mixture of excitement and confusion. He laughed and remarked, “Well, I have to admit, this isn’t exactly the type of rally I’m used to.” The audience was immediately won over by his dry humor. With a cunning smile, he began a brief, ferocious speech that touched on issues that were very important to the progressive-leaning crowd, such as student debt, income disparity, climate change, and the value of group action.
But when the music began to play, the true magic began.
Ecoterra, who are renowned for fusing ethereal synths and throbbing beats with political messaging, switched from their song “Earth Screams Louder” to a remix of one of Sanders’s most well-known rally addresses. The beat stopped and lasers illuminated the night sky as he spoke, “The billionaires cannot have it all!” through the speakers. As the audience went crazy, Sanders raised his fist in the middle of the stage.
Bernie Sanders was more than merely a politician for fifteen bizarre minutes. A living meme who became a mainstage legend, he was also a performer and a cultural figure. On the enormous screens behind him, his image cycled over his years of political involvement, from the 1960s civil rights demonstrations to his famous inauguration moment while wearing mittens. In a matter of seconds, a remix of that notorious meme appeared on TikTok stories.
In the words of 22-year-old UCLA student Jade Nguyen, who came for Lana Del Rey but ended up yelling Sanders’ name, “It was like watching your cool grandpa DJ a revolution.” “This is without a doubt the most iconic thing I have ever seen at Coachella, and I have been there four times.”
Even though the presence didn’t last more than 30 minutes, it had a lasting effect on the remainder of the event. Within minutes, the hashtag #Bernchella started to gain popularity. Local vendors sold out of “Feel the Beat, Not Just the Bern” t-shirts before morning. During their own performances, a number of musicians, including Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish, called him out. Kendrick said, “Bernie got more bars than Congress!”
It wasn’t just the novelty that caused the moment to strike such a deep chord. It was the unadulterated genuineness Sanders delivered. He had no desire to appear young or trendy. He didn’t try to rap or wear gaudy attire. He didn’t dab. He failed to floss. He simply stood there and talked from the heart, joining a generation that is in dire need of leaders that care.
And the youths answered.
Among younger voters, Bernie has long had a fervent following. Students, artists, and activists provided grassroots support for his presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2020. It was strange, but understandable, to see him loved on a stage usually occupied by EDM titans and headliners. Under LED palm trees, the man who once yelled at Wall Street underdogs at town halls now galvanized hipsters and ravers.
Naturally, the internet went crazy. Instagram and Twitter were inundated with memes of Bernie that were photoshopped onto every Coachella lineup imaginable. There were clips of him dancing, or at least moving a little, with dubstep drops added. Celebrities also added their voices. “Bernie just broke the simulation,” Questlove tweeted. Lizzo uploaded a video of herself yelling, “BERNIEEEE, YOU BETTA WORK,” as she observed the scene.
Politicians were powerless to stop it. In a humorous article, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez inquired as to when Bernie would be the main attraction at Lollapalooza. Never one to pass up a viral moment, President Biden retweeted a video with the straightforward remark, “Not bad, Senator.”
According to insiders backstage, Sanders was as taken aback by the reception as everyone else. His team claims that although he had been asked to make a brief appearance to encourage youth voting, he had not anticipated being included in a full-fledged performance. But once he was on stage, he was carried away by the crowd’s enthusiasm.
According to one member of Ecoterra’s production team, “he was totally into it.” “He said something like, ‘This is the most fun I’ve had without talking about healthcare,’ and asked if he could keep the wristband.”
Bernie was seen speaking with young people and taking pictures while strolling around the festival grounds incognito the following morning while sporting sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. He was even requested to participate in their silent disco by a group of Oregon college students. “Keep dancing, and remember to vote,” he said, politely declining.
In a festival that is renowned for its wild surprises—such as Tupac’s hologram or Beyoncé’s historic performance—Bernie’s arrival somehow outdid them all by accomplishing something nobody anticipated: giving the celebration a sense of direction. In the midst of the glitter and glow sticks, he reminded everyone that the struggle for justice and advancement is fought not just in Congress or courtrooms but also in music, culture, and yes, even the desert.