On Wednesday, the Bernie Sanders campaign announced a concert in collaboration with The Strokes. This is the most recent cosign from a big name musicians, following promotions from acts ranging from Killer Mike to Vampire Weekend. That move isn’t politically significant in any way, and it won’t cause him to win Iowa or anything, but it’s a beautiful collaboration of two of the most powerful voices of our millennia.
People can say what they will about Sanders’ bold policy ideas and democratic socialism, but anyone who even attempts to claim The Strokes aren’t gods among mortals in the world of early 2000s indie rock is an absolute and total fool.
There is a laundry list of bands that would simply cease to exist if The Strokes hadn’t bravely paved the way by recording a gloriously cheap sounding album called Is This It in 2001. Here are a few of those bands: Arctic Monkeys, Vampire Weekend, The 1975, MGMT... I could go on. If these five geniuses never met, who knows what indie rock would sound like in 2020. Personally, I wouldn’t want to know. All that can be said for sure is that The Strokes saved us all from a decade of nu-metal and cheap pop-rock.
As for their cosign for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, it’s brilliance at work. If one thing can unite Gen Z liberals and millennial liberals under a common cause, it’s a live concert featuring The Strokes greatest hits. Simply imagine the scene of Sanders’ on one stage lamenting the health care and oil industries, and The Strokes on an adjacent stage performing Someday. The entire GOP should be shaking in their boots and preparing for their impending doom.
Combining this mighty team up with the already hot Sanders campaign is a massive win. But even better than its benefits is the absolutely awe inspiring logo the Sanders team dropped on Instagram.
No matter what happens in the next year, this is a crucial moment in the lives of every Bernie supporter and Strokes fan. If things go poorly, and America is subjected to another four years of the Trump administration, they still have this fleeting moment to cling to for the duration of our collective suffering.
In 25 years they may be asked questions like, “Remember when Trump beat Bernie by like 50 million votes?” or “Isn’t it wild we still don’t have a reliable and sustainable healthcare system?” and they’ll be able to simply respond: “I guess, but remember when Bernie literally got the Strokes to play at one of his rallies? That was the greatest moment of my entire life.”
Noah Wright is a junior studying strategic communication at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Noah? Tweet him @NoahCampaign.
