Joan Baez, Maggie Rogers, Neil Young & 36,000 patriots flock to DTLA to fight for America
Fighting Oligarchy: Bernie Sanders & Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Openers: Raise Gospel Choir, The Red Pears, Jeff Rosenstock, Indigo de Souza, Dirty Projectors, Joan Baez, Maggie Rogers, Neil Young
Venue: Gloria Molina Grand Park, Los Angeles – Apr. 12, 2025
Vibe Check: 🌈
Mic Check: 🤘🏽
When We Fight, We Win
Fresh off the back of the nationwide April 5 Hands Off protests, Bernie Sanders & Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were greeted by more than 36,000 fired up residents in Los Angeles’s Gloria Molina Grand Park. The adjacent streets, alleyways, and staircases of City Hall overflowed with attendees and children perched in shady trees trying to catch a glimpse of the speakers and performers; if not just as a speck in their grainy over-zoomed photos.
The event felt removed from its grassroots origins and more like a normal Spring Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles: a sunny day at the park with live music and taco trucks. But in that semi-icky way where even a day about fighting against oligarchy and the perils of capitalism, the streets were filled with vendors selling stickers, buttons, t-shirts, and water — and, seriously, 2 rows of taco trucks and beverage vendors.
After the long security screening lines, to the right, was a dirt lot for overflow with way-too-loud speakers and a jumbotron; to the left, the path to the main stage. It wasn’t until watching some of the footage back did I realize, though we were in the main grass area, how far back I was from the action and how many thousands of people were stood behind me.
In 2023, Grand Park was named after Gloria Molina, the first Chicana in history to be elected to the California State Legislature, the Los Angeles City Council, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. It’s not lost on me that for all the valid criticism of AOC and her ascendance to “celebrity” status, that it’s a big-effin’-deal for a working class Latina to now have this coveted place in society and to be celebrated in a city and a gathering place with such history. I hold sincere joy for AOC in carrying on this legacy and to also be able to meet, mere days later in Bakersfield, CA, another Chicana living legend Dolores Huerta.
Though I hold fear that the quick rise to stardom (and probably eventual power) will erode my trust in her, in this moment, I’m happy she’s up there representing me; maybe not my district — but ME.
My social media diet these days is anemic; it was no surprise to me that I only found out there were going to be performers at the rally until the night before. My friend was excited to see (and only mentioned) Jeff Rosenstock as part of the lineup. Needless to say, I was stoked to find out Joan Baez and Neil Young were in attendance!
My trio had arrived at the park just as Jeff started playing. His set was one of 2 electric guitarists (the other being the Dirty Projectors); thrumming, loud, and classically punk. Jeff’s set felt the most musically connected with the righteous anger of the moment.
The other performers, icon status aside, were Kumbaya to the near point of parody. Joan Baez sang a cover of “Imagine” by John Lennon for crying out loud. (I’m still on the fence about if was nearly as tone deaf as the 2020 celeb rendition)
Regardless, I felt a heaviness and annoyance that here Joan was singing about unity and revolution 62 years after she had sung at the March on Washington. Heaviness for the severity of the moment we’re in and an annoyance that this country really just does not learn its damn lesson.
Joan and Neil had the largest command over the crowd, easily able to guide us into swaying, chanting, and unified singing. My particular place in the crowd was so far away from the stage that the crowd surrounding me was whisper singing and putting up shy arms, completely lacking the accountability and obligation of participation usually accompanied by the artist being able to see you.
It was the toddler sitting atop their dad’s shoulders squeakily yelling “Take America Back!” at Neil Young’s command that really got me fired up.
Maggie Rogers unfortunately has been trapped in viral moment purgatory. After watching her in the clip with Pharrell and the single that followed, I haven’t kept up with her. I haven’t been blind to that fact, though, that she has since built herself a reputation as a reliable and sought-after live performer. I was missing out on her angelic and broad-ranged vocal performances this whole time — why did no one tell me?!
Indigo de Souza was the most pleasant musical surprise of the day. Her voice felt fresh, different, and vulnerable. Despite not being able to hear all the lyrics, I could tell over the crowd murmurs that she has something to say and her voice carried a desperation for change.
Overall, the crowd gets a rainbow for demonstrating care for our neighbors throughout the long, hot, and shade-free day. We were making sure people got water, recycled, made space for medics, stayed generally quiet when the speakers came up, we queued up nicely, we took public transit, we offered our seat to the elderly.
For just a few hours, it felt like a functioning society.
Ch-check One-Two
⭐️ Real-time album ratings on Musicboard
Nielly Listens 
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