The Musician Primary: Who Are America’s Best Artists Endorsing for President?

By Austin Jones  |  February 26, 2020 | 1:05pm
Photo by Mireya Acierto/FilmMagic
Politics Features Bernie Sanders
The Musician Primary: Who Are America’s Best Artists Endorsing for President?

Have you wondered who your favorite artists are supporting in the Democratic primary? Feel any compunction about continuing to support those who support candidates you can’t abide? Well, we’ve compiled a fairly comprehensive list of artists endorsing, playing fundraisers and rallies, and donating to the various Democratic nominees. We did our best to dig through everything, and, well, we’ll just say you can probably take a deep breath if you’re a Sanders supporter. For whatever reason, it seems that Sanders strikes a chord with many alternative artists, from fringe ambient acts to big, arena-ready crossover acts like Bon Iver.

Sanders has had significant success in his outreach to artists. At any given Bernie rally, you can expect to hear anything from Kali Uchis to Simon & Garfunkel blaring over intercoms before Vampire Weekend performs. His team shows an acute strength in pinpointing artists who not only appeal to Sanders’ voter base, but also are active enough to campaign and canvass for him. It’s, perhaps, one thing that sets his campaign apart from the other vying Democratic nominees: He’s managed to connect on that level, to bridge the gap between himself and voters.

You can scroll through the list below, and hopefully for your sake, there are no surprises; or maybe you’ll be surprised to know someone you love is backing your chosen candidate, who knows?

Bernie Sanders

AJJ

Adult Mom

Alex Ebert (Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes)

(Sandy) Alex G

The artist formerly known as Alex G has made donations to the Sanders campaign.

Anderson .Paak

.Paak has been seen at Bernie rallies.

Ani DiFranco

DiFranco on Kreative Kontrol: “Bernie Sanders is a really strong voice out there now, and I’m very heartened to see the momentum behind him.”

Ariana Grande

I want to thank @ArianaGrande for not only being a wonderful entertainer, but also for being such an outstanding advocate for social justice. We must all be prepared – like Ariana has shown – to fight for everyone who is struggling. It was great to meet her in Atlanta last night. @alfredoflores

A post shared by Bernie Sanders; (@berniesanders) on

Art Garfunkel

“I like that Bernie is very upset by the gap between the rich and the poor,” Garfunkel told CNN in 2016. He approved the use of his and Paul Simon’s song “America” for the Bernie Campaign.

Belinda Carlisle

Best Coast

The band played at a Bernie rally back in 2016. Seems like they’re still on the team.

Big Boi

Bon Iver

Bonnie Raitt

Raitt was among 128 artists in 2016 who signed a letter for Sanders fighting for “a new vision for our country … a vision that pushes for a progressive economic agenda … a vision that creates jobs, raises wages, protects the environment, and gets big money out of politics.” She later said, “I think what’s making Bernie so viable is that everything that he’s saying makes a lot of sense. There are people throwing aspersions on his program.”

Boots Riley

Brandi Carlile

Buffy Saint-Marie

In 2019, seminal folk artist and activist Saint-Marie made contributions to both the Sanders and Warren campaigns.

Cardi B

Cat Power

We’re with you man. And to the trolls, bots, haters, you will be blocked.

A post shared by CAT POWER; (@catpowerofficial) on

Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters)

Dan Deacon

Dave Matthews

Deafheaven

The band’s George L. Clarke recently performed at An Ambient Night For Bernie Sanders alongside How to Dress Well’s Tom Krell, Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore.

Deerhoof

Diet Cig

Diplo

Dua Lipa

What happens in America doesn’t stay in America. The whole world is crying out for kinder and more inclusive leadership. If you are in a Super Tuesday state, please vote for the president you all deserve. @berniesanders #SuperTuesday #VoteForBernie

A post shared by DUA LIPA; (@dualipa) on

Ed Droste (Grizzly Bear)

Tomorrow we have our first democratic primary! I’m beyond excited to see Bernie Sanders surging in the polls. I truly truly believe he is not only the best candidate, but the guy to beat Trump. The enthusiasm surrounding his message and campaign is honestly unparalleled. I want to say I also love Elizabeth Warren, I just sadly don’t think she can beat Trump or win the primary. I hope the progressives who love both don’t split the vote and we end up with Biden who has got to be the most lackluster candidate out there. That said I will full force support whoever the democratic nominee is! I just see really see this as a great opportunity for the left! Fingers crossed!!!

A post shared by Ed Droste; (@edroste) on

Frankie Cosmos

Half Waif

Halsey

Hand Habits

Hand Habits just performed at Bernie Party: A Fundraiser for Bernie Sanders on Monday.

How To Dress Well

Jack White

Jackson Browne

Browne supported Bernie back in 2016. He’s on record with donations for the senator in 2019.

Jason Mraz

Via Mraz’s website: “That’s why, after much deliberation, I’m proudly endorsing Bernie Sanders for President. To me, he’s the only candidate who can continue to drain the swamp.”

Jay Som

Jay Som contributed to the Bernie Speaks with the Community compilation album.

Jeff Mangum

The Neutral Milk Hotel frontman endorsed Bernie in an email to fans.

Jello Biafra

The former Dead Kennedys singer endorsed Bernie back in 2015.

Jessica Pratt

Pratt also performed at Bernie Party: A Fundraiser for Bernie Sanders.

Jon Fishman

The Phish drummer will co-chair Bernie’s Maine Super Tuesday campaign.

Julia Holter

The baroque-pop artist also performed at Bernie Party: A Fundraiser for Bernie Sanders.

Julianna Barwick

Barwick also appeared at An Ambient Night for Bernie Sanders.

Killer Mike

Kim Gordon

Don’t be afraid to #feelthebern this movement is for all of us

A post shared by Kim Gordon; (@kimletgordon) on

Lil B

Lil Yachty

Local Natives

Lou Barlow

The Sebadoh and Dinosaur Jr. founding member endorsed Bernie back in 2015.

Lucinda Williams

Williams openly supported Bernie back in 2016.

Lucy Dacus

Lykke Li

The “I Follow Rivers” singer recently joined fellow Swedes Miike Snow at a Bernie rally in Las Vegas.

Mannequin Pussy

Mary Lattimore

Maureen Herman

The former Babes in Toyland bassist endorsed Bernie back in 2015.

Max Bemis (Say Anything)

Meredith Graves

The Perfect Pussy frontwoman often retweets the Bernie campaign on her Twitter.

Miike Snow

The indie-pop outfit joined fellow Swede Lykke Li at a Bernie rally in Las Vegas.

Miley Cyrus

Moaning

Mr Twin Sister

Frontwoman Andrea Estella often reposts Bernie-related messages on her Instagram stories.

Neil Young

Check out his open letter to Trump. Young openly endorses Bernie.

Noname

bernienoname.jpg

Norah Jones

Sanders received a $2,500 donation from Jones.

Oh Sees

Oh Sees performed at Bernie Party: A Fundraiser for Bernie Sanders.

Mike Hadreas (Perfume Genius)

The “Slip Away” singer has shared his donations to Bernie through Instagram stories and often retweets the senator on his Twitter.

Pinegrove

bernie 2020! we here at pinegrove support bernie sanders for president because we believe a better, kinder world is possible. we (evan & zack) started writing about why we feel this way & the reasons ended up too numerous to keep within the character count. so check out our website via the link in our bio if you’d like to read more about why we support bernie! thanks everyone!

A post shared by Pinegrove; (@pinegroveband) on

Portugal. The Man

The band recently played a Bernie rally in Tacoma, Wash. Their track “Feel It Still” was inspired by the senator.

Pussy Riot

Radiator Hospital

Red Hot Chili Peppers

The band played a Sanders rally back in 2016. Seems like they’re still on his team.

Rostam Batmanglij

Sebadoh

The band members appeared on a list of artists who endorsed Bernie back in 2015.

Shamir

The genre-defying artist appears on the compilation album Bernie Speaks with the Community.

Soccer Mommy

Sadie Dupuis (Speedy Ortiz)

Dupuis often posts about Bernie on her Twitter. Her Twitter bio reads “the logan echolls of voting for bernie.”

Stephen Malkmus

The Pavement star told Men’s Journal, “I like Bernie. I think he has more integrity than just about anybody.”

T.I.

Thurston Moore

That’s right!!

A post shared by Thurston Moore; (@thurstonmoore58) on

Tom Morello

The Rage Against The Machine frontman is a pretty vocal Bernie supporter.

Tyler, The Creator

No official endorsement, but there is this shirt.

sG4nh58fBSc-USLx2qwqxzvY8q7beN79q2oN3XQ5_Jk.jpg

Vampire Weekend

Vic Mensa

Mensa attended a Bernie fundraiser in Hollywood back in July. He told Vanity Fair about his support for the candidate.

Wet

Weyes Blood

Odds are you’ve seen this photo in the last couple weeks.

A post shared by @weyesblood on

Willow Smith

Young The Giant

Zack Fox

The rapper and comedian performed at Bernie Party: A Fundraiser for Bernie Sanders.

Zedd

Zola Jesus

The “Exhumed” singer isn’t shy about where she stands.

Elizabeth Warren

Buffy Saint-Marie

In 2019, seminal folk artist and activist Saint-Marie made contributions to both the Sanders and Warren campaigns.

John Legend

Melissa Etheridge

Shea Couleé

Pete Buttigieg

David Crosby

Mandy Moore

Joe Biden

Cher

It pains us to report this one.

Michael Bloomberg

John Mellencamp

 
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